Northeastern and SIU have been hit hard by the strained finances. Northeastern has closed its campus for several days this semester and furloughed all employees to save money. Southern plans to cut $30 million in costs at Carbondale by July 1, a move likely to result in layoffs, according to school leaders. The university also is considering a plan that would allow its Carbondale campus to essentially borrow from its more stable Edwardsville site.