My name is Ian Phillips and I am from Charleston. I moved back here last year, but I want to thank the student body for being here. You are this community, my town is your town!

The budget situation at EIU is one shared by many organizations and agencies that offer assistance to people without any other hope. Many of these children and developmentally disabled adults are under state guardianship. That the availability of quality food in these homes has been limited due to political philosophy is reprehensible. The state has created an ethical conflict of interests that cannot be fixed by accountants; the governor and his cronies are holding human life ransom for budgetary concessions.

Another conflict of interests is maybe not so well known. State Rep. Reggie Phillips, who has neglected the duties vested in him by the public thereby contributing to the precarious state of EIU, owns Unique Properties Ltd. His rental agency collects from more EIU students than any other in Charleston. He threatens the educational future of the very same people whom he houses. A biologist would call this relationship parasitic.

Other properties Reggie and his sons own include the Brick House, Unique Suites Hotel, Dirty’s Bar and Grill, Brooklyn Heights, the list goes on and on. To support a business is a vote of confidence for its owner. Why do the students of EIU continue to support a man who will not support them and seems instead to be working against them?

Ian Phillips, Charleston resident