DeKALB — NIU will be receiving a 2 percent increase in funding in comparison to the previous fiscal year, a $1.6 million increase.

“I also want to take a few minutes again to highlight the timely and positive news from Springfield regarding our fiscal year 19 budget,” said Acting President Lisa Freeman. “It was very encouraging to see bipartisan support.”

Along with the additional funding, Freeman plans to continue efforts to financially stabilize the university.

“I will note along with gratitude for the on time funding and the small increase that with the notable exception of fiscal year 16 appropriated funding hasn’t been this low since 1990, and we still remain 8 percent below fiscal year 17,” Freeman said. “So our work to increase revenue and decrease expenses to stabilize the university will need to continue.”

NIU is working to integrate DeKalb’s pre-existing public bus system with Sycamore’s and Rockford’s. The inter-governmental contacts are slated to be complete by August 2018 with implementation estimated to occur during January 2019. The proposed integration will provide a more substantial service to students while saving NIU an estimated $1 million. It is currently undetermined if students will receive decreased bus fees as a result of the savings or if the savings will be allocated towards other NIU services.

In the absence of a permanent president, the Board of Trustees has approved a request for proposals to hire a search firm in order to find qualified presidential candidates. The cost for this service is estimated to be around $2.3 million. There has also been approval of retention of a search firm to assist in the search for the next Dean for the College of Law and the next General Counsel.

The Board also plans on hiring a third party in assisting with marketing and undergraduate enrollment. The cost is for this service is planned to not exceed $3.75 million over the course of five years.