President's Message
Finally, a nice sunny day, no clouds or rain. I’m enjoying the view of the surrounding landscape and wondering what to write about. There are multiple tractors cultivating the soil in the surrounding fields. A little dust is actually in the air. It is amazing that there could be dust. It seems like all we have seen for the past few weeks is rain, but the strong winds have done their job and dried the surface. Spring has finally sprung!
Some may not remember or forgot when our state organization SUAA sprang into action against the State of Illinois to save our pension benefits. In February of 2014, SUAA filed suit in Champaign County Court challenging the Constitutionality of Public Act 98-599, also known as the Pension Reform Law. On May 8, 2015, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an opinion which many have called its most important this millennium. That opinion confirms SUAA’s arguments in every respect. The Pension Reform Law has now been permanently struck down as unconstitutional. (SUAA Briefing May 11, 2015) Our pension benefits were saved. EIUAA is a voting member of SUAA. You may have received a donation request from SUAA Action and not realized SUAA Action’s purpose. SUAA Action paid for those attorney’s fees.
The spring session has adjourned and our pension benefits survived for now. Our legislators can start campaigning, since June 28, 2022 is the primary election. The mudslinging has begun. Did I mention that the neighbor just drove by with his manure spreader? It’s going to get deep!
Our mission statement is “The Eastern Illinois University Annuitants Association (EIUAA) is dedicated to protecting and strengthening the pension and health systems which support our annuitants in the most challenging years of their lives. Our organization provides the opportunity to maintain professional and social activities with fellow EIU employees.” Since we are in an election year, our pensions are probably safe this year. However, we shouldn’t always rely on thinking they are safe and should always remain vigilant.
Our organization is hoping to move toward in person social events. It has been very difficult over the last two years to try and plan an event. We are sorry that the spring luncheon was canceled. The planning involved for this type of an event must start several months in advance and out of concern for our annuitants, thought it better to stay on the side of caution. Hopefully, you all completed the emailed Qualtrics Survey to let us know if you were interested in participating in a fall luncheon and what topics you would like presented to the group. Plans for our July 14, 2022, chapter meeting is moving along. Katie Anselment, EIU Legislative Liaison will be our speaker. Katie always gives an enjoyable and informative talk. Hope to see you all at the Neal Welcome Center!
Stay safe and well while enjoying the remainder of the spring and summer.
Nancy Dole
EIUAA President
EIUAA Scholarship Winner
The Scholarship Committee is proud to announce Rachel Mellott, as the 2022-23 recipient of the EIU Annuitants Scholarship. Rachel is a sophomore at EIU and the daughter of Betsy Jewell, Department of Journalism. Scholarships are very important to Rachel, as there are three in her family currently attending college. She is an Elementary Education major and would like to work with the unreachable children, giving them tools that help them to learn and instill the need for lifelong learning. Rachel works three jobs while attending EIU to help pay for her education. This past summer she worked as a youth camp counselor and Arts and Crafts Director. It was very rewarding to Rachel showing students how to express themselves through their creations. After teaching for a few years, Rachel would like to eventually get her Masters in Educational Leadership and work in administration. “As an adult, in my students' lives, it will be my job to ensure that every student feels seen, safe, educated, and heard.”
Part of the scholarship application is writing a letter about financial need and career goals. Rachel wrote a very extensive and impressive letter for the committee. I would like to give a big thank you to the Scholarship Committee (Margaret Messer and Nora Pat Small) and the on-campus group (Jenny Stout, Kaitlyn Haas, Mackenzie Walker and Nancy Murray) for their hard work processing the applications. It takes a considerable amount of time to read through all of the information, verify the information and then make a decision on the recipient.
Currently, the EIU Annuitants Scholarship award is $1000, paid half in the fall and half in the spring. EIU staff and annuitant children or grandchildren may apply for this scholarship through the scholarship portal found on the EIU Foundation web page. The deadline for all EIU Foundation scholarships is March 15. Your generous donations to our scholarship program have enabled this scholarship to grow. We hope to continue growing our corpus and someday award a $2,000 scholarship. Donations to the EIUAA Scholarship can be mailed to the EIU Foundation Office, 860 West Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920 or gifts can be made on-line.
As a member of EIUAA, you are also a member of SUAA, the state association. SUAA offers up to six scholarships of up to $1,000 annually. In addition, the SUAA Foundation offers up to two grants of up to $1,000 per grant annually for professional development activities (travel expenses are excluded). The applicant must be a SUAA member in good standing who is currently employed at an Illinois institution of higher education. Application material are available on the SUAA Foundation website.
Nancy Dole
Scholarship Chair
Academy of Lifelong Learning
The Academy of Lifelong Learning is wrapping up a semester full of unique and educational programs for adults. Some were based on history, some on health, while others focused on shared, active learning experiences. Our last program for the semester is on the Orphan Train Movement, originating from Charles Loring Brace's passion for children and families. Join us at the Charleston Public Library, 5/11/22, 1:30 - 3:00 pm - you'll be glad you did. Planning for fall semester 2022 is underway and we are excited to bring new topics to you, including cultural stories, global water shortages, and a first-person historical performance by Mary Todd Lincoln. Stay tuned at https://www.eiu.edu/adulted/all.php.
Campus News
Campus Food Pantry
(submitted by John Ryan)
From 2017-2020, nearly 40 percent of Eastern students were food insecure, Beth Gillespie and Crystal Brown of the EIU Food Pantry told EIUAA members Feb. 24 at their first chapter meeting of the year. This is not a trend unique to EIU, Gillespie said. These are national norms. Gillespie said without enough food, students are not going to be able to do well in the classroom. That’s why the university began a campus food pantry through the Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteerism.
Students are eligible to come to the food pantry twice a month and get enough for nine meals. “We know students are living paycheck to paycheck,” Brown said. The food panty’s goal for 2022 is to see 50 unique students a week, the women said. Open since Oct. 1, the food pantry has served 690 students so far, Gillespie said. Through Feb. 23, the majority of the students have been unique visits. They come just once.
Students are asked to fill out a survey. Of those surveyed, 28 percent are first generation college students; 28 percent are persons of color; 33 percent are international students; 50 percent say being hungry is a distraction in class; 50 percent live off campus, the women said.
Volunteers power the food pantry, Brown said. First semester statistics show 140 students worked 279 hours at the pantry. It’s a good experience for the students that volunteer, she said. “Having other students there taking care of them makes the place secure and welcoming.”
The cost so far? The Alumni Association provided $5,000 to open the pantry. Faculty, staff and community members raised more than $12,000, also. “We are going through the money a little faster than anticipated,” Brown said.
The pantry has spent $6,000 on food so far. The group is working with the Eastern Illinois Food Bank and others to get as much free food as possible. Through a food drive, the pantry received 3,043 pounds in canned food. “It was well received and appreciated,” Brown said.
EIUAA past president Richard Wandling asked if there is an opportunity for retired staff members to volunteer. The women said yes and groups would be welcome, too. The food pantry is open five days a week, two hours at a time. Afternoons are best for students. Two to three volunteers work per shift. It is located on the garden level of McAfee Gym near the elevator.
The pantry does get food from EIU Food Bank. Money goes farther through the food bank. Some items the food pantry has to purchase locally. The pantry is working on getting donations from Walmart and Aldi’s. and is finalizing its partnership with the Food Bank. “Hopefully then we can tap into the grants,” Brown said.
Anyone can donate through the EIU Foundation and earmark the donation for the food pantry. People can also donate through the food pantry’s web site. More information about the Food Pantry, making a donation or volunteering can be found at https://www.eiu.edu/volunteer/campusfoodpantry.php.
Enrollment News
(submitted by John Ryan)
Eastern is making enrollments gains after a 10-year slide in enrollment ended in 2018, Josh Norman, associated vice president for enrollment management, told EIUAA members at their Feb. 24 chapter meeting. “I’ve been really happy with our results over the last five years,” Norman said. In 2020, Eastern’s enrollment was 8,626 with the freshman class being larger than previous two years.
What Eastern has experienced is a national trend, he said. Enrollment at universities and colleges has declined nationally by 910,000 in the last five years, he said. In Illinois, enrollment has dropped by 40,000 with the majority of the decline occurring at the community college level. It has been very significant the last two years during the corona virus outbreak, Norman said. Twelve percent of the college-bound students have migrated from Illinois in the last 10 years, he said. Chicago collar counties students have been the majority of those students. The cause: out-of-state schools have been recruiting and marketing that area. “Everybody is trying harder to get the same student population,” Norman said. After the 2008 recession, fewer children were born nationally, he said. That decrease will affect enrollments, beginning after 2025.
Private colleges are discounting tuition rates just to survive. Neighboring state universities are doing the same. The market is getting tougher to compete in, he said. Colleges are going to be impacted. Eastern must recruit and market itself to continue to grow, he said. Norman said the university does strategic planning annually and has to be competitive while retaining students. Marketing is important piece of any plan. Eastern is relying on marketing via the Internet and social networks because it doesn’t have the manpower to do physical visits and mailings, he said. For the Fall 2022 semester, admits are up 50 percent; deposits are up 18 percent; and Presidential scholars are up 16 percent, he said. However, transfer admissions are down 16 percent. Graduate School enrollment is doing well. Eastern currently has 500 international students from 52 countries.
The university is working to retain students – both freshman and transfer students, he said. Through a new mentoring program, 45 mentors are working with 141 freshman, 79 percent of whom are first generation and under represented students. The students live in residential housing and meet together for meals.
“It’s an incredible community producing incredible results. This program is making a difference with a large number of students. We plan to continue growing it in the future.”
Like Us on Facebook!
Group name: Eastern Illinois University Annuitants Association
The EIU Annuitants Association now has a Facebook group as an additional way of keeping in touch with our members and sharing key association and university-related updates, news and events with everyone. All you need to do is find us on Facebook; you can readily access us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/961164987992076
Once you land at our group's site, go ahead and request to join the Facebook group, and we'll do our best to get you on board in a timely fashion. We hope you will consider joining!
EIUAA Luncheon
The Annuitants Board is seeking input on what you would like to hear about. Below is a link to a quick (2 question) survey regarding the annuitants luncheon and educational speaker series. If you would take a minute to click on the link and answer the questions, it would be greatly appreciated! (This is the same survey sent last week via email. If you responded to that, thank you and there is no need to respond again!!)
https://eiu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TXCZHS3cxroXAO
Farewells
Following are brief notices only. To read a full obituary or leave condolences, visit www.jg-tc.com, www.mitchell-jerdan.com, and www.adamsfuneralchapel.com.
Ewen “Lefty” Bryden (Recreation & Leisure Studies), 97, Charleston, IL died March 8, 2022. Lefty is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Ellen, Karen; two sons: William (Lois) and David (Denise); and four grandchildren.
Barbara Ann Busch (Residence Hall Counselor), 81, Charleston, IL died March 27, 2022. Barbara Is survived by several cousins.
Mary Beth Sawyer Kluge (Education), 87, Columbia, SC died January 3, 2022. Mrs. Kluge is survived by her son, John Armstrong III (Colleen Corrigan); daughter, Ann Jessup (Harvey); stepson Chuck Kluge (Debbie); four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Ellen Joyce Maurer (Asst Personnel Officer), 85, Charleston, IL died December 26, 2021. Joyce is survived by her husband Dave; children Beth and Willie; sister Kathy; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren.
Conni Poulter (Police Dispatcher), 73, Charleston, IL died January 7, 2022. Conni is survived by her son Kevin (April) and six grandchildren.
Allan Lee Rathe (Grounds), 74, Greenup, IL died January 1, 2022. Allan is survived by his wife of 51 years, Judy; children Ted (Laura) and Juli (Larry) Bishop; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Robert W. “Bob” Sterling (History), 95, Charleston, IL died February 9, 2022. Bob is survived by his wife Julie; his son Grant (Lynne); two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Norma J Updegraff (Education), 80, Ashmore, IL died February 25, 2022. Norma is survived by her daughter Janice (Brian) Davis; one granddaughter and one great-grandson.
EIUAA Calendar
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2022 | Board Meeting | Neal Welcome Center |
| July 14, 2022 | Chapter Meeting | Neal Welcome Center |
| September 8, 2022 | Board Meeting | Neal Welcome Center |
| October 6, 2022 | Chapter Meeting | Neal Welcome Center |
| November 17, 2022 | Board Meeting | Neal Welcome Center |
| Note: Meetings are scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Neal Welcome Center. Due to COVID restrictions, we’re not sure if it will be possible to have refreshments available. Watch your email or Facebook for any updates! | ||
| EIUAA Officers (Beginning Spring 2022) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nancy Dole | jndole@consolidated.net | President |
| TBD | President-Elect | |
| Richard Wandling | rawandling@eiu.edu | Past President |
| John Ryan | jmryan@eiu.edu | Secretary |
| Richard Wandling | rawandling@eiu.edu | Treasurer |
| Board Members |
|---|
| Peter Andrews, Gary Aylesworth, Lisa Dallas, Nancy Dole, Wendy Long, Amy Lynch, Marita Metzke, Kathy Reed, Billie Rawlings, John Ryan, Nora Pat Small, Richard Wandling |
| Committees | |
|---|---|
| Communications | Wendy Long (Chair), John Ryan |
| Events | Marita Metzke, Margaret Messer, Rich Wandling |
| Legislative | Jeffrey Lynch (Chair), Jim Bush, Henry Davis, Sue Kaufman |
| Membership | John Ryan (Chair), John Best, John Flynn, Dale Wolf, Joan Zieren |
| Scholarship | Nancy Dole (Chair), Nancy Curran, Brad Green, Margaret Messer |
Committee Reports
Legislative Committee
In a typical spring Illinois legislative session, we now would be tracking the status of major bills and their prospects for approval by May 31. This year, however, the General Assembly concluded its spring session in mid-April, followed by the Governor signing budget bills on April 19. Why this departure from the past? It has much to do with the state’s new General Primary Election date of June 28, and what it means for the campaign season. While a state primary in late June may take some getting used to, there is an upside for EIU annuitants. We already know where we stand relative to the state budget, and here there’s good news for us. The required state pensions funding level was fully appropriated, along with supplemental pension contributions totaling $500 million over FY22 and FY23. Higher education fared well, including a supplemental increase of 5 percent for FY22 operating budgets, with the increase continuing into FY23. The state’s MAP Grants program also benefited, including an increase of $122 million for this important needs-based program to help make college affordable for Illinois students.
We know, however, that election years bring the possibility of changes, and this definitely applies to 2022. All 118 House and 59 Senate seats in Illinois are on the ballot, with redrawn legislative district lines a key part of the 2022 election process. A priority of the EIUAA Legislative Committee will be to work in tandem with SUAA efforts toward a legislature that is committed to protecting our pensions and benefits while supporting high quality public higher education.
Scholarship Committee
See EIUAA Scholarship Winner article above!
Membership Committee
EIUAA's Greatest Asset
Our membership is our greatest asset. Increasing and sustaining membership in EIUAA/SUAA is essential to the success of our organization. Here are a few tips for sustaining our membership:
- Renew your membership as soon as you receive the first renewal notice from SUAA.
- If you pay annually, switch to payment through a monthly deduction of $3.67 from your SURS annuity so that you don't have to renew each year.
- Thanks to all of our members who do pay dues through SURS deduction! That helps EIUAA and SUAA be more cost effective and efficient!
Thanks for maintaining your membership! EIUAA and SUAA will continue to advocate on your behalf to maintain your retirement and health care benefits.
- Membership Committee: John Best, John Flynn, Mary Anne Hanner, and Jone Zieren
