NIU President Doug Baker told Faculty Senate at its Wednesday meeting that the university cannot raise tuition, so it must increase enrollment and cut expenses.

Baker, who does not typically speak at Faculty Senate, addressed the faculty so he could answer questions he commonly receives. He said the university has lost $25 million in state support over the last decade and he doesn’t think NIU can raise tuition without pricing itself out of the market. The university will raise revenue through increased enrollment and cutting expenses, he said. He plans to decrease the number of administrative appointments to save money.

“My focus there is on that triangle plan,” Baker said. “Linking faculty, staff, students with the outside world so we can really become a relevant institution and have that transformational experience for our students. Our research and artistry distinguishes us.”

Last year, NIU was able to dig itself out of $15 million in debt, Baker said. But, this left low reserves and no money for raises. NIU can increase revenue by increasing enrollment through improved recruiting and retention, he said.

NIU’s enrollment fell from 21,138 to 20,611 students from last fall to this semester, but that decrease marked the smallest drop in enrollment — 527 students — in five years. Baker said NIU will increase the number of international students it enrolls, just as it did this fall when international student enrollment moved from fall 2013’s 847 students to this semester’s 1,090 students.

Other ideas

Baker also said there is a proposal to make it optional for students to pay an athletics or fine arts fee. Baker also said that he hopes to have increased busing to the Metra station in Elburn and increased partnership with institutions like community colleges.