Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Problems with part of the current pension system have created issues for school districts hiring teachers.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James Minor says greener pastures are ahead for the Metro East school.

A total of 12,813 students are enrolled at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville — a 7.7% increase since last fall, according to the Metro East campus.

The partnership also helped lead to charges being filed in a separate homicide case from 2011. Law enforcement and academics believe the program could be replicated elsewhere in the state.

Last month, campus leaders proposed getting rid of the physics major and minor, which was met with skepticism from some faculty and staff.

The proposal would allow all students currently declared as a physics major or minor an opportunity to complete the program. It would not eliminate all physics courses.

Along with an unspecified number of job cuts and changes to academic programs, the plan includes early retirement buyouts that will start this spring to balance the budget by 2027.

The campus in deep southern Illinois is grappling with a nearly $9.5 million budget shortfall that its leader says is largely fueled by athletics.

Big changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid have caused delays in getting necessary information to both colleges and families.

The new Metro East facility will serve lower-income families near O’Fallon, Shiloh, Lebanon and east Belleville. Center directors said they observed a need for such a facility as St. Clair County residents moved east.