The Illinois Board of Higher Education has set aside zero dollars in its budget for improving campus safety.

Student Body President Sean Anderson addressed that issue in his State of University speech during Wednesday’s Student Senate Meeting.

“Currently, campus safety is not one of the multiple priorities set forth by the Illinois Board of Higher Education,” Anderson said. “Illinois is one of four states in the United States which does not have a specific comprehensive analysis of crime statistics among colleges and universities.”

Anderson, however, has a plan to improve campus safety throughout the state of Illinois.

“Campus Safety Initiative: Illinois is a program which will ultimately request that the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the governor make campus safety a priority,” Anderson said.

Anderson went on to explain his three phases of CSI: Illinois.

His first phase is to inform and get feedback from all Illinois colleges and universities of the Campus Safety Initiative.

His second phase is to gain support for the initiative through campus’ Faculty Senate, Student Senate, University Police Department and President’s Council.

Finally, his third phase requires the supporters of the initiative to call for their respective Board of Trustees to support improving campus safety by investing in it statewide.

Anderson’s plan is also gaining support.

“In our Board of Trustee’s meeting next Friday, the Faculty Senate chair, myself and the Chief of Police are all going to present and we are going to say that we are in support of this, and hopefully they will be empowered to talk to the State,” Anderson said.

Additionally, Kent Ohms addressed what the Student Senate has done in this semester, and what they need to do next semester in his speech.

He commended the Panther Penny Project for doing an exceptional job so far this semester and mentioned the Shuttle Bus Committee and its efforts on trying to create schedules for international students during Winter Break.