NIU will use direct lending next fall.

Brent Gage, assistant vice provost for enrollment services, reported at Thursday’s Board of Trustees committee meetings that NIU will be making the financial move next fall semester.

Instead of students applying each semester for a loan, a one-time promissory note will be signed. The direct lending program is seen as being simpler as all funds are borrowed through the federal government instead of private loan institutions.

“Northern now controls the process for the students,” Gage said. “We plan on working with media services to explain what it means to campus.”

Also discussed at the meeting was the state budget. While Gov. Blagojevich signed House Bill 3866, the budget bill on Aug. 22, he used an item reduction veto to reduce the general revenue funds passed by the General Assembly for NIU by $123,900.

Eddie Williams, executive vice president of business and finance and chief of operations for NIU, said the university’s priorities have not changed, though they are waiting for the 2009 budget to be approved.

“Our community is very well aware of our situation in Springfield,” Williams said. “Hopefully [those in Springfield] will turn from their wicked ways.”

The board also remarked on the congressional legislation calling for new policies on illegal file sharing of students.

“We want to educate our students and tell them it is wrong, but it is still an uphill battle,” said Kathryn Buettner, vice president of external affairs.

University President John Peters said the university has to comply with court orders and trace IP addresses back to the students.

Peters also covered the topic of the newly instituted emergency guide that will be placed in every classroom and residence floor.

“It will be mailed out on Friday and reach offices on Monday,” Peters said. “I think it should be very useful.”

The guides include procedures for how to constructively react in many different emergencies varying from: medical emergencies, menacing behavior, evacuation, hazardous materials and suspicious mail/packages.

The committee also endorsed the request for a research center for particle accelerator and detector development. The center was in temporary status since 2001.

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