The new Hoffman Estates Education Center is open for operation, but fund-raising troubles continue to plague the center.

NIU Interim Vice President Tom Mitchell said although no monetary goals ever were established for constructing the center, which opened for classes Aug. 22, the amount of funds raised have been disappointing.

NIU constructed models on how public funds would be spent at the new center. The three models were based on fund-raising total estimates of $1 million, $500,000 and $250,000. As of Tuesday, only $133,000 has been raised.

The recession, a shortness of staff and a key personnel change have contributed to the shortage of funds, Mitchell said.

“NIU had a very good plan, but we were never able to fully implement it because Tom Montiegel left to take another position,” said Mitchell.

Montiegel, former vice president of development and university relations, was in charge of fund-raising for the Hoffman Estates project from its outset, but he left NIU in May.

Kathleen Gilmer, director of the Hoffman Estates Education Center, said there has not been any adverse effect on classes or enrollment because of the shortfall in funds. “The facility is functional, enrollment looks good,” Gilmer said.

Efforts for additional funds are ongoing, Mitchell said. “Development of a leadership committee is the next phase for us,” said Mitchell. Among NIU staff to be on this committee will be Gilmer and Director of Development/Alumni Relations Richard Ubl.

The leadership committee hopefully will generate additional funds from the many corporations that surround the center. “We hope to pull from the strength of the Hoffman Estates area,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said Gilmer will serve as a key member of the committee. “Kathy Gilmer is really the key for us having success,” he said. “She has the contacts we need.”

Another area of concern both Mitchell and Gilmer mentioned is the audiovisual equipment. “We would like to see an audiovisual upgrade in the future,” Gilmer said.

Mitchell said the current audio equipment on portable stands is new, but there is just not enough of it.