The Board of Higher Education approves all new units of instruction, research, and public service, as well as new academic administrative units, for public colleges and universities in the state. The Board also undertakes periodic review of all existing units of instruction, research, and public service to advise the appropriate governing board whether such programs continue to be educationally and economically justified. Both of these activities are initiated at the campus or institutional level and reviewed by the appropriate governing board before being submitted to the Board staff for analysis and presentation to the Board of Higher Education.

Proposals for new programs and reviews of existing programs for public community colleges and public universities are analyzed in the context of the institution’s mission, focus, and priorities. Budget and planning documents prepared by the colleges and universities are submitted annually to the Board of Higher Education and contain programmatic plans related to institutional objectives.

The Board of Higher Education also has statutory responsibility to approve operating authority and degree-granting authority for certain independent and out-of-state institutions operating within the state of Illinois. In addition, the Board must approve all new degree programs proposed by those independent institutions established or beginning to offer degrees after August 14, 1961.

Moreover, the Board carries out ongoing reviews of those independent institutions operating and offering degrees under the Board’s authorization to assure that the institutions maintain the conditions under which the original authority to operate or grant degrees was given. The Board has the power to revoke its authorization if an institution fails to sustain the conditions required by the initial approval to operate or grant degrees.