The Illinois Board of Higher Education’s budget recommendations for fiscal year 1999 slowly crept through the bureaucratic process to the Illinois House Appropriations Committee Monday where they were presented by officials from the state’s universities.

SIU President Ted Sanders was one of several university presidents addressing the committee regarding the proposed budget, which was presented to the Senate Appropriations Committee last week.

Executive Assistant for Media Services Jack Dyer said the proceedings went according to plan.

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It went very well, Dyer said. All questions that were asked, we had answers for. There were no real surprises here.

According to the IBHE’s recommendations for the year beginning July 1, SIU’s budget increased by $12 million to $292.9 million. This includes a 3-percent increase in faculty salaries and $550,000 to retain faculty and staff. Part of an additional $18 million to the capital budget will be used for improvements to Anthony Hall’s piping system.

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, who observed the meeting, said Sanders addressed his concerns over the lower-than-expected budget recommendation.

He discussed the increase and the fact the IBHE has not funded to the level that was requested by the University, Bost said. He explained what would be the difference. They would not be able to proceed as fast as they would like to (regarding repairs).

In addition to outlining the budget, Dyer said Sanders answered questions regarding University issues, such as the tuition difference for resident and non-resident students and the status of faculty union contract negotiations.

Bost said the committee concerned itself with the tuition difference and presented Sanders with related questions.

Sanders believed the idea will present enough growth, and I believe the foreign student is important, Bost said. The debate went on and President Sanders handled it tremendously. I think their questions were answered very well.

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The next step in the process is for the General Assembly to vote on the budget and send it to Gov. Jim Edgar for approval. The new budget should make it to Edgar’s desk is within the next two months, Bost said.

We have to have the budget passed by the end of May, Bost said.