DeKALB – President Lisa Freeman spoke at Tuesday’s State of the University, touting NIU’s largest spring enrollment in five years.

SPRING 2026 ENROLLMENT 

Freeman opened up the State of the University Address by announcing that the university had experienced its largest spring enrollment in five years. 

“NIU’s spring 2026 enrollment reflects continued momentum and strong student persistence,” Freeman said. 

Total enrollment in spring 2026 is said to be at 14,644 students, which is a 3.4% increase compared to total enrollment in spring 2025, which was 14,158 students.

Undergraduate enrollment also rose nearly 6%, accounting for the highest spring undergraduate total in six years. 

During the 2024 State of the University, Freeman advocated for a push in recruitment of student transfers. This year, Freeman explained the university saw a nearly 17% increase in transfer enrollment – the largest spring transfer enrollment in six years.

Overall, spring 2026 enrollment represents a 3% increase over spring 2025.

CAPITAL PROJECTS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS 

During her address, Freeman updated the audience on the status of important capital projects and industry partnerships.

In fall 2024, the university received up to $40 million in funding from the Baustert family in support of the construction of the Baustert Bahwell Health Technology Center. 

The diagram design for the center was announced to have been completed, with construction expected to begin next year. 

The center will be built on the site of Lincoln Hall and is designed as a state-of-the-art teaching and learning facility. The center will also feature expanded clinic spaces for on-site clinical trials, as well as additional classrooms, student success areas and shared interprofessional spaces. 

The center’s purpose is to enhance hands-on preparation, connect coursework to clinical practice and advance cross-disciplinary scholarship. 

“I’m grateful to all who have contributed ideas and helped shape the future of this building,” Freeman said. 

The Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability (NICCS) made significant progress this year as well, with construction set to begin this year and be completed in 2028. The building is still in the design stage. Research and engagement programs remain affiliated with NICCS, and are aligned with its four interrelated focus areas.

Throughout 2025, NIU collaborated with Trane to implement a comprehensive energy savings and carbon emissions reduction program on campus through upgraded lighting and water conservation improvements across campus. In addition to this, more than 1,000 rooftop solar panels have been producing clean electricity. 

“The work of our faculty and students is remarkable – their ideas, their commitment to discovery and their success at developing solutions,” Freeman said.

FISCAL CHALLENGES

Toward the end of the address, Freeman provided an update on the budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). 

 “It’s very important to keep in mind that the balanced Fiscal Year 2026 budget we put forward for NIU Board of Trustees approval in June serves as the plan,” Freeman said. “The work to execute that plan, and actually achieve a balanced budget at fiscal year-end on June 30, requires daily effort.” 

One of the assumptions factored in by divisions and colleges for the FY26 budget was a 3% increase to the university’s state appropriation; this equates to around $3 million dollars. 

Freeman stated the university will not receive $2 million of their anticipated appropriation as a result of actions Illinois took to mitigate any fiscal risk linked with federal funding changes and broader economic uncertainty. 

Freeman explained that to meet the balanced budget goal, the university will take actions such as adjusting FY26 purchasing and hiring plans. 

“NIU and Illinois are not alone in facing ongoing fiscal challenges,” Freeman said. “Universities across the country, including public flagships, Ivy Leagues and well-endowed private institutions, are facing extraordinary, difficult financial pressures that are reshaping how they operate now and in the future.”

Lastly, the university plans on attending the 2026 Higher Education Advocacy Day on April 16 in Springfield. This day is focused on funding, access and equity in higher education. 

“We will continue to be a strong voice in Springfield. We will take advantage of the opportunities provided by subject matter hearings,” Freeman said.