Western Illinois University’s leaders say they remain hopeful a proposed new funding formula for higher education can win legislative approval.
The Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Formula Act stalled in the legislature this spring, but could come up for a vote in the fall veto session or during January’s lame duck session.
WIU President Kristi Mindrup said people across the state recognize the impact the new funding formula could have on rural universities such as Western, Eastern, and Southern.
“All of those institutions have a significant impact on the regions that they serve,” she said.
Mindrup said the institutions draw students from outside the region, some of whom go on to live and work in those communities after graduation, contributing to the quality of life in those regions.
Ketra Roselieb, WIU Vice President for Finance and Administration, said it’s important for supporters, including the state’s regional institutions, to remain united in promoting the measure.
She said the revised funding formula keeps the focus on students.
“It’s to enhance their experience, and it actually acknowledges the needs that each of those students have when they attend a university,” said Roselieb. “It’s an all-encompassing program that would be monumental for the university.”
The bill would provide increased funding for higher education during the next several years.
The money would be distributed under a formula prioritizing the schools that are currently the most underfunded, which would include WIU.
The University of Illinois System has opposed the legislation, saying it would not provide either adequacy or equity.
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