Illinois currently owes Eastern $11.7 million in appropriated funds, the vice president for business affairs said Friday.

William Weber, the vice president for business affairs, informed the Council on University Planning and Budget that the state has made progress in paying the $48 million from Fiscal Year 2012—an improvement over past years.

“At the end of Fiscal Year 2011, they owed us over $20 million,” Weber said. “At some point between these payments and the budget cuts they are making, it will all meet.”

The council also elected a new chairperson and executive committee for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Steve Rich, the director of alumni services, was elected to the position of chairman after running unopposed.

“I’m looking forward to working with this great group and advising the Eastern President Bill Perry in any way we can,” Rich said.

After his election, Rich ran the meeting.

The council’s subcommittee for a universal meeting time on campus gave the council members an update on how they have designed a survey concerning the issue.

Before it can be distributed, the survey has to be approved by Perry.

Perry said he would go over the survey within the next week so it can be distributed.

Jenny Sipes, of the Student Affairs Office and subcommittee member, said the council was charged with investigating this idea after the Committee to Study Shared Governance suggested it to Perry last year.

In discussions with various colleagues, Rich said he noticed different opinions for what the universal meeting time could be used.

He said some told him the time would just be for university governing councils, whereas others said it would include subcommittee-meeting times.

“It is really as clear as mud what people think at this point,” Rich said.

Amy Wywialowski can be reached at 581-2812 or alwywialowski@eiu.edu