SPRINGFIELD—Faculty and staff from Sangamon State University duked it out with SSU President Durward Long at a committee meeting Tuesday because of alleged unused funding.

The House Appropriations II Committee heard testimony from both sides of the bargaining table on whether the funding is actually available for faculty salary increases.

“Any request for financial information is denied by administrators,” Union grievance officer Nina Adams said.

Adams said SSU administrators returned $154,000 to the state of Illinois, yet enormous amounts of personnel dollars were spent for non-personnel things. “The money was spent illegally.”

“Why does SSU turn back $154,000 when some of its’ employees get supplemental food stamps unless we’re talking about mismanagement?” Adams said.

Union officials claim they cannot get the financial information needed for union demands, said Michael McNally, field services director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

University Professionals of Illinois President Mitch Vogel said he has heard SSU officials say “it is not a question of whether we can afford to give faculty their raises, it’s a question of whether we want to.”

Priorities at SSU are not in the direction of improving salary, he said.

“SSU (officials) let over $100,000 lapse,” Vogel said. “I think, if nothing else, it’s criminal.”

Ron Ettinger, president of University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 said “some items in the budget are outrageous and demand for investigation.”

“There’s a series of unbudgeted positions that are funded by substantial amounts,” he said.

Ettinger said SSU President Durward Long has been claiming money for a postion that has been vacant for two years.

“They’re forming a slush fund,” he said. “If the position is not filled, the money can be redirected.”

Long claims the accusations made by the union are “uninformed and malicious.”

“You (the committee) have been given just enough facts to slander the administration,” he said.

Faculty salaries at SSU are above average when compared to comparable institutions, he said.

Long also said the $154,000 will come back to the university and is for positions filled this year.

No negotiations are scheduled soon, Vogel said.