SIU campuses expect enrollment dip, blame Springfield

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - Southern Illinois University is expecting another dip in enrollment this fall. Officials are blaming unrest and uncertainty with the state budget.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports (http://bit.ly/1TuBdM ) that SIU Carbondale Chancellor Brad Colwell told the board of trustees parents and students are telling administrators they are "worried about what's happening in Illinois."

Gridlock in Springfield between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the Legislature has delayed a budget plan for the year that began July 1.

Colwell said university research indicates students are leaving the state for college.

He would not say how much he expected enrollment to decline. It was down 4 percent - 700 students - last fall.

SIU Edwardsville interim Chancellor Steve Hansen says admissions are down 6 percent at his school.

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Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com