NIU President John Peters addressed the Board of Trustees Thursday and said if NIU is forced to endure additional financial cuts from the state, he doesn’t know if it can go without making cuts of its own – including possible cuts to the faculty.

Peters reiterated comments he has made all year when he said the budget situation is looking bleak.

“We should expect additional cuts this fiscal year,” Peters told the BOT.

Peters added that it’s only harder with NIU’s student population now at more than 25,000 for the first time in 16 years.

In that same time, the state changed from funding half of NIU’s operating budget to funding one-third of it.

Peters said “dark clouds” are ahead, but making layoffs is not an option the university wants to take.

“All the rabbits are out of the hat,” Peters said.

He added that the situation is being closely monitored.

Faculty Senate president Sue Willis said faculty members are worried about possible cuts.

“My sense is the faculty are very nervous and have an aura of great uncertainty,” Willis said. “I don’t know and I don’t think anyone else knows.”

Huskie football

The meeting wasn’t all bad news, however.

Huskies football coach Joe Novak attended the meeting with members of the team, and spoke about the team’s recent successes against Maryland and Tennessee Tech.

“It brings everyone together and it brings some excitement,” Novak said.

Trustee Robert Boey also complimented Novak’s work with the football team.

“It has reconnected the alumni community and the campus,” Boey said.

Peters said after the Maryland game, NIU received calls about the team and people looking for more information on attending NIU.

“Let’s savor it while we can,” Peters said. “If anyone deserved this victory, it was this university, it was this team and this coach.”

Fair wages for workers

Peg Kermeen, staff representative for the Local 963, presented a proposal to the board that would give janitors and food-service workers a wage increase.

“We want a fair increase in wages this year,” Kermeen said. “We want to be treated with respect in that regard.”

Gorman said it takes seven years to reach full pay at NIU for union workers, while at other universities it takes a shorter amount of time.

“Today we’re here to present signatures of over 200 of our members,” Gorman said. “Our success is tied to the success of the university.”

Board members responded by saying the comments will be taken under advisement.

Campus Editor Nicholas Alajakis contributed to this report.