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Final Report and Recommendations of the Committee on Affordability. Co-Chairmen: Robert English and J. Robert Barr. Presented to the Illinois Board of Higher Education August 12, 2003. Overview. August 2002 –Committee on Affordability is created.
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Final Report and Recommendations of the Committee on Affordability Co-Chairmen: Robert English and J. Robert Barr Presented to the Illinois Board of Higher Education August 12, 2003
Overview • August 2002 –Committee on Affordability is created. • September 2002 thru May 2003 – Work of the Committee proceeds, building on the recommendations of the 1994 Committee to Study Affordability and in consultation with the higher education community and general public. • June and July 2003 – Discussion Draft is presented to the Board and additional public input is solicited. • August 2003 – Final Report and Recommendations are presented to the Board.
Revision to the Draft Report After review of additional public comment, Recommendation 17 has been modified as follows: “As higher education budget increases occur, MAP should be the highest priority for new funding to improve affordability and participation of low-income students in higher education. If budget decreases occur, MAP should be the highest priority to be spared funding reductions. In addition, the Committee recognizes that maintaining a stable base of state support for institutional operating costs also helps to maintain an affordable system of higher education in Illinois. Thus, stable institutional funding should also be a high priority for the state.”
The Final Report • 20 recommendations in the following areas: • Enhancing Academic Preparation and Performance • Assisting Needy Students • Keeping College Costs Affordable • Progress is already being made toward several of the Committee’s recommendations as follows ….
The Final Report • Recommendation 16: Enhance stability and predictability in public university tuition and fees • Public Act 93-0228 – “Truth-in-Tuition” • Signed by the Governor on July 22, 2003 • Effective 2004-05 Academic Year • Recommendation 9: Expand IIA eligibility • HB1119 – IIA Program Expansion • Sent to the Governor on June 11, 2003
The Final Report • Recommendation 2: Provide MAP coverage for 135 credit hours of study • ISAC is exploring ways to convert its current system of tracking MAP usage to a system based on credit hours for the 2004-05 Academic Year. • Recommendation 7: Extend MAP processing to mid-September • ISAC and ILASFAA’s Formula Committee will be looking at ways to extend processing closer to the mid-September target for FY 2005.
The Final Report • Recommendation 20: Explore opportunities for reducing regulatory and reporting requirements • IBHE is in the planning stages of a study to identify efficiency and streamlining opportunities, in conjunction with the public universities.