In a joint letter to Illinois governor Bruce Rauner and the leadership of the Illinois General Assembly, university presidents called for an end to the state’s current budget standoff.

The letter, signed by Eastern president David Glassman and other university presidents, states that “we are on the brink of serious operational damage,” and decisions need to be made in terms of staffing, academics and student support for the upcoming spring semester.

The public higher education institutions have not seen any state funding yet, as the state has not had a budget since July.

The letter also stated the presidents’ request to meet with Rauner and the leadership of the General Assembly.

A copy of the presidents’ letter to Rauner can be found here.