BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION

MEETING AGENDA

August 22, 2000

9:00 a.m.

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The llinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC) was established in 1996 to improve productivity and competitiveness of small and mid-sized Illinois manufacturing establishments.  Through cooperative efforts of Rock Valley Community College, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Bradley University, IMEC has demonstrated the power of partnerships between higher education and private industry.  (Introduction by Ross Hodel; presentation by Bob Weinstein, President, Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center)

This item recommends grants totaling $21.4 million for fiscal year 2001 Higher Education Cooperation Act (HECA) projects.  A total of 148 projects are recommended for funding, 36 of which are new projects and 112 of which are continuing projects.  The projects recommended were selected from over 200 proposals submitted to the Board for consideration.  (Presentation by Ross Hodel)

This oral report will provide a brief analysis of the findings from a survey of Illinoisans conducted by a national polling firm for the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. The survey, conducted to gauge public opinion on an array of issues concerning colleges and universities, demonstrates broad public support for the goals of "The Illinois Commitment."  The presentation also will compare the findings from the survey of Illinoisans with the findings of the national survey.  (Presentation by Keith R. Sanders)

In 1998, the Board of Higher Education committed to re-evaluate and redesign its quality assurance processes for program approval and program review.  This item provides an update on the work of a committed appointed to work on this project.  (Presentation by Diane Gilleland)

This report provides a summary of the key findings of a statewide conference, “Understanding Time to Degree:  Different Students – Different Stories.”    (Presentation by David Smith)

This oral report will provide a progress report on the work of the Committee on Access and Diversity.  (Presentation by Jerry D. Blakemore)

Enrollment in courses offered via the Illinois Virtual Campus in spring 2000 exceeded 26,000.   This oral presentation will provide an update on the project, including an analysis of the students taking advantage of classes offered by institutions participating in the Illinois Virtual Campus.  (Presentation by Cathy Gunn, Director, Illinois Virtual Campus)

This item recommends changes to the Board’s policies to ensure adequate student involvement in fee matters while preserving recognized institutional governing authority.  (Presentation by Debra Smitley)

This report presents an analysis of average faculty and civil service salaries for full-time employees at Illinois public and independent colleges and universities, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, and higher education agencies.  Faculty salaries at Illinois public universities in fiscal year 2000 averaged $59,700, which represented 95.3 percent of the median salary at comparison institutions.  The average salary at independent institutions was $67,100 in fiscal year 2000, 4.8 percent above the median salary at comparison institutions.  Community college faculty salaries averaged $53,400, which exceeded the average faculty salary of community college salaries in selected states. Illinois colleges and universities have been successful in increasing faculty salaries at or above the rate of inflation. (Presentation by Debra Smitley)

This report provides an analysis of staffing trends in Illinois colleges and universities from fall 1991 through fall 1999. Overall, Illinois staffing patterns followed trends similar to national staffing levels, with increases in full-time and part-time faculty, executive administrative staff, and other professional personnel and decreases in full-time support staff. (Presentation by Debra Smitley)

This report includes information concerning the Governor’s actions on legislation enacted during the spring 2000 legislative session.   (Presentation by Ross Hodel)

Other Matters

Faculty Advisory Commitee Report On Quality In Higher Education

This item recommends funding for 12 projects that support the College-Ready Kids and/or Classroom-Ready Teachers goals of the state P-16 Partnership agreement. A total of $725,000 is allocated for these projects.  (Ross Hodel)

This item authorizes the distribution of funds for two programs specifically identified in the fiscal year 2001 appropriations approved by Governor Ryan and the General Assembly. A total of $25,000 is allocated for the Illinois Occupational Information Coordinating Committee and $500,000 is allocated to the Illinois Geographic Alliance. (Ross Hodel)

This item recommends an allocation of the $10 million appropriated for the State Matching Grant Program in fiscal year 2001. Grants are recommended for 19 institutions. (Ross Hodel)

This item recommends approval for Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale to establish certain off-campus degree programs, and for two new doctoral programs at the University of Illinois at Chicago. (Diane Gilleland)

This item recommends approval for Benedictine University, Columbia College of Missouri, and Lewis University to offer certain off-campus programs. (Diane Gilleland)

This item recommends approval for new associate degree programs at the College of DuPage, Prairie State College, and the College of Lake County. (Diane Gilleland)

This item recommends approval for noninstructional capital improvement projects at Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (Sharon Ward)

INFORMATION ITEMS

This item describes the framework in which the fiscal year 2002 budget recommendations will be developed. The fiscal year 2002 budget recommendations will be presented to the Board of Higher Education for its consideration in December 2000. (Debra Smitley)

This item presents information concerning a study of higher education finance, and includes a list of the individuals serving on a Steering Committee that is overseeing the study. (Debra Smitley)