DeKALB | The Faculty Senate Resources, Space and Budgets committee presented a report to the Senate during its Wednesday meeting on budget priorities if the state continues to defer on its payments to NIU.

“CRSB created a statement of what the financial priorities are according to the faculty,” said Alan Rosenbaum, president of Faculty Senate.

The first priority mentioned in the statement was fund allocation to “safeguard…the programs directly related to student learning and welfare.” The committee made a strong recommendation to the Senate to sell bonds in order to update student housing.

The committee members wrote in their statement that they were concerned about the continued diversion of funds away from maintaining the campus infrastructure and resources “will eventually undermine the university’s core education, research and community service missions.”

Other suggestions included making sure NIU continues to meet payroll and maintain pension and insurance benefits for faculty and staff.

The report will be presented to the University Council at its next meeting.

The Senate also held elections and recognized members for their completion of, re-election for or newly elected terms.

Rosenbaum was re-elected as Senate president for next year and David Wade also was re-elected as Faculty and SPS Personnel Advisor.