looks like they’re gonna spend 300k+ over the next few years to hire an outside firm to conduct ethics training for staff….......

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2008/11/14/universities_now_paying_for_ethics_training_program

...that is “internet-based”.

Ugh.

While I enjoy watching and supporting Illini sports, the high profile coaches (and many assistants) make a pretty penny, not to mention the money that pours in to support athletic complexes and programs. In high school, sports are often the first area to be cut when budget disaster strikes. Are sports too much of a revenue generator at the college level to consider a similar approach?

I would argue the same thing as Doug, but the DIA brings a ton of money to this school and they are certainly not going to hamper that by cutting out their backbone - high profile coaches like Ron Zook.

The Prez makes a ton of money… but they had to draw him away from the Biz Dean job at U Mich.

Of course, the high profile areas receive the first consideration for cuts, such a salary, number of jobs, etc.  That does make up a large portion of a college’s budget.  However, colleges (and especially college administration) routinely spend large amounts of money on things that might not be necessary.  The ethics training mentioned above would be a good example.  On paper, it looks good, but in reality, it accomplishes little.

Another good example would include the money spent on technology.  While keeping up to date with current technology can be important, it is not necessary for many employees to receive new computers every few years.  I work at a community college that has a dramatically smaller budget than the U of I, but our school spends lots of money for current technology that is really unnecessary.  We use a lot of technology at our school, and I admit to using more than most, but I still notice most people saying that their current office computers don’t really need an upgrade.  Ultimately, for any school, loose spending in lower profile areas should be scrutinized more than it is.

One other possibility is considering the up-front expense of geothermal heating and cooling, as well as wind energy.  Heating and cooling costs a college an enormous amount of money each year.  Those supplements will save the college tons of money in the coming years.

Is it absolutely necessary for each O&M employee to have his own half-ton truck?
Could some O&M employeees not walk or ride the MTD (free) from site to site?  Are all O&M employees required to walk into a boiler room and drink coffee at least four times per day?

Can’t parking enforcement be conducted by pedestrians, or cyclists?

What does the U of I fleet cost to insure, maintain and fuel every year?

football and/or basketball.  cmon.

and as to that ethics training bullshizz, they better do actual people training, especially with housing (the RDs and area directors).  reverse racism was apparent in there while i did my time. it wasn’t everybody by any means, but those who WERE discriminating went all out.  it was gross. i don’t know how they got those jobs.

they were hoping to cut things that cost money, steph.  football and basketball MAKE money.

I don’t doubt that the sports programs are making money. The question is: Where is the money going that they are bringing in? Is the money the football program rakes in going to help the university not have to significantly cut the pay of its grad students?