HE.10.04

Report on IBHE Faculty Advisory Council Meeting
December 4, 2009

The Faculty Advisory Council (FAC) of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) met on Friday December 4, 2009 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield with 29 members present.  Also present were Judy Erwin, IBHE Executive Director, Ocheng Jany, IBHE Associate Director for Academic Affairs and IBHE staff member Keeley Burton. 

The meeting was called to order by Chair John Bennett at 8:30 AM.  Director Erwin began by stating that for the first time in a long time a number of education agencies have joined forces for a common cause - - making sure students are ready for college when they graduate from high school.  She pointed out academic preparation; retention and advising as concerns that need attention.  It would be great, she added, if students entered college and succeeded without the need for remedial courses.  Erwin added that the P-20 Council, the American Diploma Project (ADP) and the Common Core Standards (CCS) are means that can be very helpful in accomplishing this goal.  She further added the development of the Longitudinal Data System as another important step in that direction.

Erwin noted that the American Diploma Project has developed a college readiness pilot program and that ACT is collaborating with CCS to investigate possible diagnostic measures to possibly identify the need for remedial help for students before they enter college.  She further added that teacher certification standards must be changed and should require elementary school teachers to have a content area specialty.

Judy Erwin observed that the most important indicator of student success is the quality of teaching followed by quality of school leadership.  She mentioned early childhood education in the state as a possible model for higher levels.  Erwin pointed out the fact that Illinois has 877 school districts and more local government entities than any other state as a problem in dealing with education issues.

Turning to the State’s fiscal crisis, Erwin portrayed the current situation as fearful and powerlessness.  She characterized the budget of the State as a work of fiction and irresponsible and added that we need a mobilization of people in support of House Bill 177, as we did for the MAP campaign.  Otherwise, she said, the future of the state, its economy and higher education are in jeopardy.  She faulted the legislators for the problem and said that our government leaders need to realize that we can not address the State’s fiscal problems without a combination of $5 to $6 billion dollars in cuts as well as tax increases.  It is noted that Director Erwin is a former Illinois legislator.

On the subject of the Public Agenda, Erwin encouraged FAC to communicate with the Board of Higher Education through letters and reports with ideas.  Erwin was asked if the legislators were aware that the current turmoil in Illinois may lead to a “brain drain?”  She said yes they know, but noted that legislators understand constituents’ concerns and voters’ communications of such concerns to them.

Erwin observed that IBHE is fairly current in reviewing program proposals and referenced the search currently under way to hire a deputy director for academic affairs.  She added that the MAP program attracts institutions to the State. It was announced that Director Erwin will be recognized by the Civic Federation of Chicago through an award for her efforts in support of higher education in Illinois.

The four FAC caucuses held a very brief meeting due to shortage of time that accommodated Director Erwin.

Bob Blankenberger, the new IBHE Associate Director for Academic Affairs, joined the group after lunch.  He is responsible for program review and approval for independent institutions, transfer and articulation.  Blankenberger noted that a five year review of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is beginning.  According to him, the general education package replaces individual institutions’ general education requirements but added that institutions may add their own set of graduation requirements and thus change the character of their general education requirements.

In caucus reports, Chair of the Publics Caucus stated that some members are concerned about the length of time it takes to review and approve program proposals.  IBHE staff had indicated earlier that there is no backlog in review of such programs.  Chair of the Community College Caucus reported that his group recommends that FAC offers IBHE assistance in developing policies and procedures for non-community colleges to follow relative to Dual Credit.  He agreed to develop a draft for consideration at the next FAC meeting.  The private/independent caucus reported that they had met with Dave Tredder, the Executive Director of the Federation of Independent Colleges and Universities before the FAC meeting.  They had discussed ways to increase member activities in FAC.

Ocheng Jany, IBHE Associate Director for Academic Affairs, was asked if he could look into the possibility of the FAC Chair or a member of the FAC Executive Committee be represented at the IBHE’s academic affairs leadership meetings.  He will investigate.

FAC subgroups working on ways to increase effectiveness in achieving the four goals of the Public Agenda met next.  Group 1 (Increasing Educational Attainment) reported that they plan to look into best practices of other states in retention and related issues and report back to FAC.  Group 2 (Ensure Affordability) brought forth a resolution for consideration and approval by FAC that would offer the State a freeze in tuitions in return for stable funding.  Representatives from Urbana and Chicago campuses of the University of Illinois strongly opposed the idea stating that we are not in a position to make such offers to the State - - our institutions are.  Besides, it was stated that any “deal” with the state can not be relied on noting that the State had committed to a budget for higher education but is not meeting its obligation to pay.  How can we believe that other agreements between the State and our institutions will be upheld?  It was noted by the proposer that Missouri had just implemented such an agreement with its institutions.  It was noted that starting a program does not guarantee its appropriateness or success.  The resolution did not pass.  Other two subgroups did not report due to lack of time.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM.  The next FAC meeting will be at Governor State University on January 21 and 22, 2010. 

Submitted respectfully,
Abbas Aminmansour