A Message from President Tarhule

March 17, 2025

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

As classes resume, I hope this message finds you refreshed and ready to embrace the remainder of the spring semester with enthusiasm and purpose. The final stretch of the academic year is often busy and demanding for all of us, but I am confident that through our collective dedication and passion, we will support each other to finish the semester on a high note.

As a brief update regarding the shifting terrain in higher education and public policy, we continue to closely monitor the evolving federal landscape. The Office of General Counsel is working with the Institutional Resiliency Steering Team to advise on the potential impact of federal directives on our policies, practices, and initiatives. This team consults with stakeholders and advisors as they assess the directives and develop informed recommendations to Cabinet for adapting as necessary to comply with the law. We are also launching a dedicated website to provide the latest information and resources on the federal directives most relevant to the Redbird community. Please be assured that we are committed to supporting our students, faculty, and staff through this time of change.

While responding to change, our core values must continue to be the bedrock of Illinois State. These values define who we are as a community and guide our decisions and actions. Therefore, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant campus where everyone can thrive academically, socially, and professionally. Additionally, we must continue to embody mutual respect in our collaborations and uphold the highest standards of excellence and integrity in our teaching and scholarship. By living out these core values, we strengthen our university’s positive environment and ensure that all members of our Redbird community can thrive.

Even as higher education continues to battle headwinds from multiple directions, it is worth reminding ourselves that Illinois State remains fundamentally strong and sound. Our Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence (RISE) initiative is a comprehensive and proactive set of actions to ensure fiscal resilience. Indeed, we have already made progress in bolstering the University’s financial stability. During the remainder of this semester, you will have several town halls and other opportunities to learn about our progress and the emerging roadmap toward a new budget process. I encourage you to participate in these opportunities to share your input and feedback.

Thank you for your hard work and unwavering dedication to the mission of Illinois State. Your efforts and commitment have helped our university succeed and grow stronger. As we embark on the final weeks of this semester, let us move forward with optimism and determination. I am proud to work alongside such a talented and devoted community of educators and professionals that support our students.

Let’s make the remainder of this semester productive, positive, and inspiring for our students and each other. I wish you a successful completion of the academic year.

Sincerely,

Aondover Tarhule, Ph.D.
President