General Assembly Action

This item provides detailed information regarding bills enacted by the General Assembly that relate to fiscal year 2002 appropriations and substantive legislation of interest to the higher education community. The General Assembly was working to complete its session when Board agenda materials were prepared. Additional information will be available at the Board meeting.

1. Fiscal Year 2002 Appropriations for Higher Education
   
   A detailed report on fiscal year 2002 appropriations enacted by the General Assembly will be available at the Board meeting.
   
   
2. Legislative Update
   
   This item provides an update on spring legislative session, and shows the status of higher education bills through May 18, 2001.

Initial Reaction to the Report of the Committee on Access and Diversity

This item provides information about the initial response to the Committee on Access and Diversity’s report, “Gateway to Success: Rethinking Access and Diversity for a New Century,” and describes the process that the Committee is following in soliciting statewide comment on the report. After seeking comment, the Committee will make revisions and present the final report and its recommendations to the Board in August. (Presentation by Jerry D. Blakemore)

Does Illinois Retain Its Information Technology Majors Upon Baccalaureate Completion? An Analysis of Multiple Survey Results

Results Report (2.6Mb PDF)

This item provides insight into what happens to information technology program graduates upon graduation. The report indicates that graduates of information technology programs leave the state at a rate greater than graduates of other disciplines; graduates seeking to maximize their starting salaries generally can find better wages outside Illinois; and Illinois information technology graduates are more interested in jobs not prevalent in Illinois. (Presentation by Charles E. “Pete” Trott, Center for Governmental Studies, Northern Illinois University)

Distance Learning

This two-part information item presents a summary of Board of Higher Education regulatory authority relative to distance learning programs, and a status update on the development of distance learning opportunities available to Illinois residents from in-state and out-of-state providers.

1. Program Approval Standards and the Challenge of Distance Learning
   
   This item presents a brief review of private college approval standards, the scope of the Board of Higher Education’s authorities with respect to program approval, and the application of existing approval standards to traditional and nontraditional institutions and delivery systems. Statutes governing program approvals are not highly prescriptive, but are based on common practice of Illinois institutions and specifically provide for the approval of nonresidential institutions. (Presentation by Marcia Langsjoen)
   
   
2. Distance Learning Status Report
   
   This item chronicles the growth of distance learning and discusses related policy implications. Enrollments in distance education courses reached nearly 1.7 million in 1998, with over 34 percent of the nation’s higher education institutions offering distance education courses. Illinois Virtual Campus enrollments reached 37,705 in fall 2000, with 13,582 of these enrollments in Internet-based courses. As the number of distance learning opportunities and enrollments grow, it is imperative that students become better consumers of on-line education and that Illinois institutions’ programs are of variety and quality to meet citizens’ needs. (Presentation by David Smith)

Update on Intercollegiate Athletics: Board Actions and State Support

This item chronicles the Board’s actions concerning intercollegiate athletics, and provides updated information concerning the funding of public universities’ intercollegiate athletic programs. In fiscal year 2000, public universities’ expenditures for intercollegiate athletics totaled $59.1 million, including $4.5 million in direct state support. (Presentation by Debra Smitley)

Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunity Program Fiscal Year 2002 Allocation of Financial Awards

This item recommends allocation of the anticipated fiscal year 2002 appropriation of $1.8 million for financial awards authorized by the Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunity Act. The Act authorizes financial assistance to minority graduate students in Illinois institutions to advance the goal of increasing the number of minority faculty in Illinois. The item recommends allocation of awards to 48 new recipients and 115 continuing recipients.(Terry Nunn)

New Units of Instruction, Public Service and Research at Public Universities

This item recommends approval of an Institute for Applied Criminal Justice Studies at Western Illinois University and a Master of Science in Sport Management at Northern Illinois University. (Diane Gilleland)

New Operating and/or Degree-Granting Authority for Independent Institutions

This item recommends new operating and/or degree-granting authority for the following institutions: Illinois School of Professional Psychology/Chicago, Illinois School of Professional Psychology/Chicago Northwest, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Olivet Nazarene University, Westwood College of Technology-O’Hare, and Robert Morris College. (Diane Gilleland)

New Units of Instruction at Public Community Colleges

This item recommends approval of new Associate in Applied Sciences degree programs to be offered by Olive-Harvey College, College of Lake County, Carl Sandburg College, and Waubonsee Community College. (Diane Gilleland)

Appropriation Transfers for Fiscal Year 2001

This item recommends approval for fiscal year 2001 appropriations transfers for the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. (Debra Smitley)

Public University Noninstructional Project Approval

This item recommends approval for noninstructional capital improvement projects at Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois. (Sharon Ward)

Pre-tax Purchase of State Universities Retirement System Service Credit Through Payroll Deduction

This item recommends that the Board of Higher Education authorize payroll deduction for employees of the Board of Higher Education for pre-tax purchase of State Universities Retirement System service credit. (Debra Smitley)

Authorization to Proceed with Contractual Agreement

This item recommends that the Board of Higher Education renew its interagency grant agreement with the Illinois State Board of Education to facilitate procurement of equipment under the State Board’s existing contracts. (Neil Matkin)

Institutional Grant Programs Administered by the Board of Higher Education

This item provides summary information on each of the institutional grant programs administered by the Board of Higher Education, including the objectives of each program, the application and proposal procedures, schedule for fiscal year 2002, and projected appropriations. (Terry Nunn)

Commission on Persistence and Degree Completion Status Report

This item presents a summary of the Commission on Persistence and Degree Completion’s preliminary meeting and sets a broad framework for its work over the summer. (Keith R. Sanders)

Board of Higher Education Annual Report

This item highlights major higher education accomplishments for calendar year 2000. (Don Sevener)