EIU president says layoffs, furloughs unlikely

CHARLESTON — Eastern Illinois University President Bill Perry says the school's finances will continue to be tight over the next year but he doesn't plan to borrow money, lay off or furlough employees.

The Mattoon Journal-Gazette reports that Perry told the campus in an e-mail Monday that Eastern Illinois expects to receive about $3 million less in state funding this year than last. The school's operating budget is about 75 percent of what it was last fiscal year.

The president says a hiring freeze and other cost-saving moves made in January will remain in place.

Perry says those moves should help EIU avoid layoffs or furloughs.