The first steps in the budget cut that has been planned out for a majority of the semester will be announced by early June.

President Bill Perry informed the Board of Trustees Friday that the next steps of the program analysis are moving forward.

“We will decide which programs and activities should continue, and with what level of budgetary support,” he said. “We will also be deciding on areas to provide additional resources, based on assessed potential to produce sustainable increases in enrollment.”

He stressed that in the next steps, there will still be support for excellence, accessibility and financial sustainability within “certain ranges of operation.” Among those include university student-faculty ratios of 15 to one to 18 to 1 or two.

Also included are university average class sizes of 22 to 25, along with university staff to faculty ratios of 1.4 to 1 to 1.8 to one; and four. Finally, Perry said the last aspect would be tenure-track and tenured faculty percentage of all faculty by approximately 70 percent.

The budget cutting process began earlier in the semester when Perry asked for subcommittees of the Council on University Planning and Budget to figure out ways to cut $7 million and reallocate an additional $1 million.

Perry also said the next steps in the budget cut will be guided by Eastern’s mission statement.

Along with the announcement of the next steps of the budget cut, there was also an update on the presidential search committee – with it being officially announced.

The committee will be comprised up faculty, board members, community members and a student representative.

Perry announced his intent to step down as president in March, citing wanting to travel and focus on teaching being his main reasons.

The Board of Trustees also approved a new degree during their meeting Friday. The Bachelor of Arts in Music will be added to the curriculum.

Along with the approval of the new degree, the board also approved various purchases.

The board approved the renewal of the telephone agreement with Consolidated Services for the telephones used on campus.

The board also approved parking lot maintenance in between Taylor Hall and Coleman Hall. The funding comes from local funds, such as parking fees and tickets, and will cost roughly $260,000.

Eighteen faculty members were also approved for tenure, and approved tenure for the new hire of Shellie Gregorich, the new music chairwoman. Regulations state at the time of initial employment by the university or subsequent thereto, an administrative employee may be granted tenure by the board upon the recommendation of the president in considerations of recommendations by the appropriate department, the dean, the provost and approved by the board.

The board also approved the decision to name the Honors College as the Sandra and Jack Pine Honors College.

Jack Pine graduated in 1964, and Sandra Pine graduated in 1965.

William Dano, one of the board members, also announced his decision to resign from the board Friday. He cited his business needed him to relocate outside of the United States.

The decision as to Dano’s successor will be a matter for Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, who is responsible for appointing seven of Eastern’s eight trustees. The student body elects one student representative annually.

Bob Galuski can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].