Michael Hogan officially began his term as U. Illinois president Thursday and said while he is optimistic about the future of the University, he is very concerned about the issues it’s facing over the next year.

Hogan addressed the media Thursday morning after a meeting with his leadership team where he said he is working to get up to speed on the the problems facing the University.

Hogan comes to the University in a time of extreme budget crisis and as it is in the middle of series of projects aimed at identifying cost-saving measures across campus, collectively called Stewarding Excellence at Illinois.

“There’s no end to the issues UI faces,” Hogan said. “But I prefer to be optimistic and remind myself what a great University this is.”

Hogan said he is still learning about the budget and doesn’t want to seem like an expert until he knows more.

Hogan said that one key to emerging from the budget crisis will be to think strategically about where the University’s strength lie and how to pursue those strengths in the future.

Although Gov. Pat Quinn recently signed a bill allowing University borrowing, Hogan said he needs to learn more about the situation and talk to leaders in Springfield before commenting further.

“We have to pay our bills, and if we have to borrow to pay our bills, we’ll do that,” Hogan said.

Hogan added he doesn’t expect any big decisions out of Springfield until after the November election.

Many have questioned Hogan’s high salary, as he will be paid a base salary of $620,000 and will also receive a house, car and country club membership – among other perks. Former president White was paid a base salary of $450,000.

Hogan said he doesn’t feel a need to defend his salary and that he intends to earn his salary both through his leadership at the University and fundraising campaigns.

Hogan was president of the University of Connecticut since September 2007, but his ties to the midwest region include a position as executive vice president and provost at the University of Iowa and a 17-year career at Ohio State University in which he progressed to executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, according to a University press release.

The incoming president also thanked his predecessor, interim-president Stanley Ikenberry, calling him a “legendary” figure in higher education. Ikenberry will stay on as a senior adviser and continue working on restructuring and budget issues.

One tactic employeed by Ikenberry was to institute furlough days during the Spring semester, an idea Hogan said he does not agree with. He added that furloughts are bad for staff morale and that he hopes not to use them in the future.

Although the top leadership position at the University has been filled, Hogan said he isn’t in a rush to fill the Urbana chancellor position, now held by interim chancellor/provost Bob Easter.

Easter, former dean of ACES, has been serving in the interim since former chancellor Richard Herman resigned in October. He has also taken over the position of interim provost since Linda Katehi left the University in May 2009 for the job of chancellor at UC-Davis.

Easter has said he doesn’t want to stay in the position permanently, but Hogan said there is “no compelling need” to start a search immediately.

Hogan is embarking on a “listening tour” around the state to meet with important legislators, board members and leaders as he prepares for the fall.

He added that he will try to adopt a leadership style of being transparent, open and visible.

“It helps if people know who the president is,” he added. “It can help make a big university seem smaller.”