A forum concerning Eastern Illinois University’s recent elimination and nonrenewal of contracts was held to inform faculty, staff and students and answer their questions in the Buzzard Hall auditorium on Monday. 

Hosted by the College Democrats of EIU, the panel included President of the University Professionals of Illinois at EIU Billy Hung, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) at EIU Kim Pope and WEIU-TV Programming Director Mac White, whose layoff date is May 15.  

A representative from EIU administration was invited, but organizers got no response. 

According to Hung, of the 44 eliminated positions, 26 UPI positions were non-renewals with one reduction of workload, meaning the positions will go from 100% workload to a 60% workload.  

The 26 UPI positions include 23 annually contracted faculty and three academic support professionals. A greenhouse manager had a reduction in workload. 

Additionally, Pope said that there were six AFSCME members that got notices, and White said five WEIU-TV employees got layoff notices.  

When Hung received an email notifying him of layoffs a few days before the university’s individual meetings with impacted staff, he said he was concerned.  

“Normally in an academic year to have a couple of nonrenewals isn’t unusual, so for them to give me a heads up, it tells me there’s more than number they expect,” Hung said  

Pope said she was told by administration that there are no more cuts expected this fiscal year, but she remained cautious because of the uncertainty. 

Future layoffs will depend on EIU’s funding, Hung said.

“If we don’t improve EIU’s funding situation, I would put [future layoffs] more than likely,” Hung said. “Maybe not this spring but certainly in the near future.” 

According to Hung, some departments will struggle with the changes due to not having the class roster to fill out certain programs. 

He made the distinction that the university is not losing positions due to lack of enrollment which was included as a reason for layoffs the university sent to faculty, but due to a lack of money to pay them. 

“Typically, when you think of layoff, non-renewal as a result of decline in enrollment, typically you think ‘oh you just don’t have the students you need to teach there’s no people wanting the class’ and that is not the case here,” Hung said. “We’re losing positions because we don’t have the money to pay for these people.” 

Without faculty who are experts in their field, Hung said it becomes harder for classes to be taught and classes that can be taught put more work on professors, which in turn doesn’t allow them the time to be personal with their students.  

“I’m not going to have time to do the same kind of interactions outside the classroom with my students that I normally do,” Hung said. 

Hung said that advisors will also struggle due to three leaving, causing students to need to be assigned to other advisors.  

The impact Hung said is not just in the workload, but also in the experience around what classes are offered and when they are taken is best for a major. 

“Course offering, class scheduling, all those problems are going to get worse because of these reductions in staff,” Hung said. 

Pope said changes could be made as workers may need to be moved around depending on departmental need as well as any changes with on departments or combining departments. 

“The civil service world people are prone to get shifted around,” Pope said. 

With WEIU-TV and Booth Library, there will be larger changes due to the reduction of staff. 

In response to these downsizes, the unions allowed representatives to go with those laid off to their meetings with administration. 

Hung said that UPI was working at three levels in dealing with the aftermath, the first of which is with those impacted and finding ways to help, like encouraging those impacted to advocate for themselves. 

After this, the second level begins with those affected bringing their concerns to the administration. 

“Bring your list of achievements and the important things that you do for Eastern and the community and talk to the administrators,” Hung said. 

The third level is organizing actions on campus and at the state level, which includes going with the wider UPI organization to meet legislators in Springfield. 

On the student level, Hung and Pope said to check in on impacted faculty. 

“A simple act of kindness,” Pope said. “We really need that a lot right now.” 

They also called for students to use their pull to make change by talking to student government representatives and state representatives, both those that represent EIU and those at home. 

“Continue to speak up,” Pope said. 

Jason Coulombe can be reached at 581-2812 or at jmcoulombe@eiu.edu.