Facing the most difficult economic crunch he has seen in more than 32 years, NIU President John La Tourette gave his most trying State of the University Address Thursday.

La Tourette focused on the limited state and federal funds, high expectations the government and media have put on higher education and the possibility of yet another mid-year recision.

“These conditions are raising the level of frustration on campus,” he said. “Because of budget reduction, some needed services and supplies are not available. Employees have had to pick up the slack caused by hiring slowdowns and freezes and in some cases the elimination of vacant positions.”

He also raised the concern of protecting NIU’s reputation as a quality undergraduate school, as well as maintaining a significant role for quality research and public service.

“I think all of us want to be part of a university which is recognized as having a distinct mission, making a unique and significant contribution to the state of Illinois, and not a university which is viewed as a second rate version of the University of Illinois.”

But La Tourette said he knows his goals are high and with current figures, the road that lies ahead will be far from easy.

Comparing past figures, La Tourette noted that in the 1960s, more than 80 percent of the total operating budget was from the state support in relation to less than 40 percent today.

“Students know more than anyone that this difference in funding has been painfully made up by tuition increases,” he said. “We must recognize that we are not likely to see large increases in state funding for higher education in the next several years.”

La Tourette closed his address with a report of the three phases he devised in February at a mid-year review of the state of the university.

Phase one was directed toward the reduced budget Gov. Jim Edgar proposed last year. NIU projected the reduced budget ahead of time and recast its budget to permanently reflect the missing dollars.

La Tourette said phase two also was successful, which dealt with salary increments, effective in the new year.

Average increases received will vary around 4.5 percent, with those below the university average salary of $30,000 per year receiving a higher percentage increase.

La Tourette also announced that this fall all departments will be assessed to maintain the university’s accreditation with the North Central Association.