CARBONDALE - Southern Illinois University should have enough to cover employee payroll through the middle of December, despite the fact the state will owe it about $124 million by the end of this month, officials said Friday.

University President Glenn Poshard and SIU Vice President for Financial Affairs Duane Stucky says they've been able to locate about $25 million in savings so far as part of a mandated slow-down on expenditures at both the Carbondale and Edwardsville campuses in response to the cash crisis.

Given that fact, Poshard and Stucky are confident employees won't miss a paycheck in the near future, as has been rumored on the campuses, they said.

"Every day that goes by I feel more positive that we're going to get through," Poshard said.

Poshard met with more than 1,000 employees on the SIU Edwardsville campus earlier this week to go over details with employees.  A similar meeting took place with administrators at SIUC earlier this month.

Poshard has been in contact with Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes office regarding the university's payment status.  So far the state has released $5.6 million in Monetary Award Program funding, which which goes toward student financial aid.