The Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees on a voice vote approved a balanced fiscal year 2026 internal budget of $442,500,000 and adopted salary increment guidelines for non‑represented faculty and staff ahead of the start of the fiscal year.

The action matters because trustees said the plan is intended to stabilize university finances after several years of constrained resources and to protect revenue‑generating programs and positions. "The fiscal year 26 internal budget being presented for board consideration includes $442,500,000 in expenses against $442,500,000 in anticipated revenues," President Freeman said during the meeting.

The university presented an internally funded increment plan for eligible non‑represented staff that recommends increases ranging from 0% to 3%, effective July 1, 2025, with larger percentages targeted to lower‑paid employees; for non‑represented faculty (including department chairs and school directors) the board approved a 3% across‑the‑board increase, effective July 1, 2025. "We developed an internally funded plan to provide increments for eligible non represented staff in fiscal year 26," an administration representative summarized during the presentation. The staff guideline ties the increment percentage to hourly or salary rate so that the lowest paid receive the largest percentage.

Trustees and university leaders repeatedly emphasized that the budget reflects forecasting assumptions — including projected student enrollment, committed state appropriations and inflation — and that it does not incorporate potential impacts from unresolved external legal or legislative matters. President Freeman and other trustees credited shared‑governance groups, campus work groups and the finance team for months of planning and consultation that produced the balanced plan. "Our NIU community has been working diligently for the past few years to present a balanced budget plan for fiscal year 26," Freeman said.

Trustees also stressed the need to pair expense control with renewed focus on revenue growth, especially enrollment. Trustee Eric Wasowitz said the budget is an important milestone but urged continuing efficiency and enrollment work: "If we can become an even more efficient university, if we're more efficient, we're going to provide better service to our students."

The board approved the budget and the salary allocation guidelines by recorded motions and voice votes; the meeting minutes record the motions as carried. The university said the balanced budget includes a limited bridging amount between FY26 and FY27 for specific transitional items and that leadership will continue to report results to the board as the year proceeds.

Less critical details about committee discussions, the committee chairs and the vote method are recorded in the board packet and minutes.