U Of I Leaders Sign On To Letter Seeking More Education-Research Funding

Leaders from the University of Illinois have signed on to an open letter to President Obama and Congress, calling for more education and research funding from the federal government. 

U of I President Robert Easter, Urbana Campus Chancellor Phyllis Wise and Chicago campus Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares have joined leaders from 164 other universities across the country in signing the letter.

The letter has also been signed by officials from Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University in Illinois, and Indiana University and Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis in Indiana.

The letter says that more funding is needed to produce the skilled graduates and advances in research that will drive U-S progress, job creation and economic growth.

The letter goes on to argue that despite the current debate over federal budget cuts, more education and research funding is vital to ensure long-term deficit reduction.

The letter was drafted by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and the Association of American Universities.