- Report On The Feasibility Of Textbook Rental Programs And Other Textbook Cost-Saving Alternatives In Illinois Public Higher Education
 (2/2007)
In spring 2006, the Illinois Senate adopted Senate Resolution 692 directing the Illinois Board of Higher Education, in conjunction with the Illinois Community College Board, to study the feasibility of implementing textbook rental programs at Illinois community colleges and public universities and/or other textbook cost saving alternatives.
The study concludes that a statewide textbook rental program for public colleges and universities would likely reduce costs for students and yield other benefits, such as ensuring that all students have access to required books and materials. The study further documents that rental programs could be financially feasible if funding for the very substantial initial start-up costs were secured. However, beyond the formidable financial obstacles, certain barriers and limitations would likely restrict the practicability of universal rental programs.
- Final Report
and Recommendations of the Committee on Affordability
(8/2003)
In August 2002, the Board of Higher Education created a Committee
on Affordability comprised of members from the Board and the Illinois
Student Assistance Commission. The Committee was charged with
conducting a comprehensive and objective analysis of affordability
issues, with the goals of assessing what changes have taken place
in affordability of Illinois higher education over time, whom
those changes have affected, and what actions can reasonably be
taken at the state and institutional levels, as well as by students
and their families, to enhance affordability.
The work of the Committee builds on the recommendations of the
Board's 1994 Committee to Study Affordability and has involved
a review of relevant research, various data analyses, and testimony
from national experts on trends and issues related to affordability.
The Committee also solicited input and opinions from throughout
the state on issues of concern regarding affordability as well
as on an initial draft set of recommendations.
This report provides a historical perspective on affordability
in Illinois and nationally, reviews the multifaceted relationships
underlying college affordability, and presents a series of recommendations
relating to enhancing academic preparation, assisting needy students,
and keeping costs affordable.
- Report and
Recommendations of the Committee on Affordability
(6/2003)
In August 2002, the Board of Higher Education created a Committee
on Affordability comprised of members from the Board and the Illinois
Student Assistance Commission. The Committee was charged with
conducting a comprehensive and objective analysis of affordability
issues, with the goals of assessing what changes have taken place
in affordability of Illinois higher education over time, whom
those changes have affected, and what actions can reasonably be
taken at the state and institutional levels, as well as by students
and their families, to enhance affordability.
- Committee
on Affordability Update
(12/2002)
This item provides a review of the first meeting held by the Committee
on Affordability and a summary of a web-based survey being conducted
to gather opinions from the Illinois higher education community
and other interested parties. The item also notes that the Committee
will hear from three national experts at its next meeting.
- Establishment
of the Committee on Affordability
(10/2002)
The Committee on Affordability was established at the August 20,
2002 meeting of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. This item
reports the members of the Illinois Board of Higher Education
and Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) who have been
appointed to the Committee. The first meeting of the Committee
is on October 2, 2002 at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago,
beginning at 1:30 p.m.
- Assessing
the Affordability of Illinois Higher Education: Update and Proposed
Next Steps
(8/2002)
This item updates the analysis of affordability-related trends
first presented to the Board in June 2002 to reflect the impact
of fiscal year 2003 tuition and state budget decisions. These
updated trends confirm the assessment in the June 2002 Board item
that a comprehensive and balanced review of affordability-related
policy issues for Illinois higher education is necessary to ensure
that the goals of access and choice are maintained for the future.
This report recommends the establishment of a joint Committee
on Affordability, comprised of members from the Illinois Board
of Higher Education and Illinois Student Assistance Commission,
that will conduct a comprehensive study of related policy issues
over the next year and make recommendations on actions that can
be taken at the state- and institutional levels as well as by
students and their families to enhance the affordability of Illinois
higher education.
- Assessing
the Affordability of Illinois Higher Education
(6/2002)
This item provides information on current Board policies related
to affordability as well as the findings of relevant recent national
and state studies. The trends and studies highlighted in this
item indicate some areas of concern for the continued affordability
of Illinois higher education. This item outlines proposed next
steps for addressing affordability-related issues.
- Summary
and Review of Unequal Opportunity: Disparities in College Access
Among the 50 States
(2/2002)
This item provides a summary of the key findings of "Unequal
Opportunity: Disparities in College Access Among the 50 States,"
a report issued in January 2002 by the Lumina Foundation for Education.
The general findings and related policy implications of the Foundation's
report are that individual opportunities for higher education
are related to where a student lives, their economic circumstances,
and the type of institutions available. The report underscores
the importance of the interrelationship between state financial
aid and tuition policies in providing higher education opportunities.
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