The university’s planning and budget council will be briefed Friday on the four vice presidents’ focus statements, which serve as the ground rules for the entire campus.

The statements originate from the four vice presidential areas – external relations, academic affairs, business affairs and student affairs – and are updated annually to comply with President Lou Hencken’s nine presidential goals.

Reports on the statements, which narrow in on planning, priority and recommendations, will be given to the Council on University Planning and Budget, said Chair Chris McCormick, a psychology professor.

“We’re not only planning this year out, but into the future,” said Shirley Stewart, vice president for student affairs. “Obviously, funding comes into the plan for many reasons … you’re always constantly changing the planning model.”

The broad goals then trickle to the deans, directors and department chairs, who then localize the goals more specifically, said Jill Nilsen, vice president for external relations.

Because of a state budget that has plunged into a $5 billion deficit, along with increased enrollment and tuition, the goals change on a year to year basis.

“We’re always checking the currency, accuracy and timeliness of the statement,” said Blair Lord, vice president of academic affairs.

The focus statements must be completed by the end of the month, said university spokeswoman Vicki Woodard.

On Friday, the council also will respond to the questions distributed last month by the North Central Accreditation Steering Committee. Although the NCA site visit is not scheduled until February 2005, a self-study is being conducted this year. If the university were to lose accreditation, student credit hours could not be transferred in or out of Eastern, and access to financial aid would also be lost.

The council’s questions were focused around how they planned and budgeted for the future and how it fulfilled the university’s mission, McCormick said. The council will develop a committee Friday to piece together the draft response to the NCA’s inquiries.

“The accreditation study covers the entire functioning of the university, but I don’t think we’re particularly more involved,” McCormick said. “We’re more critical than some other aspects, but certainly we need to be included.”

Also on the council’s agenda:

-Finalization of the advisory subcommittees. At last month’s meeting, volunteers offered to take the position, and Friday those positions can be approved.

-Report on the Legislative Action Team’s recent visit to Springfield.

-Comments by McCormick on an executive committee with Hencken Nov. 6.

-Update on the planning and budget. Budget director Jim Shonkwiler doubts he will give a presentation to the council because little has changed since last month. “Maybe more storm clouds are gathering, but there’s nothing any more clear that will be helpful to the faculty at this point,” he said.