HR0955

LRB096 21361 MJR 37502 r





  
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HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, Eastern Illinois University proposes the 
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establishment of a rural campus designation program in 
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Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The American Association of State Colleges and 
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Universities supported federal legislation to create a new 
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grant program for rural colleges and universities; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Funding will come through the U.S. Department of 
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Education's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary 
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Education (FIPSE) program, which made it through in an omnibus 
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bill; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, At this time, the federal government is working to 
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define the scope and goals of the program; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The main points include partnerships between 
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universities and local education authorities, regional 
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employers, or workforce investment boards; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, In addition, there is an emphasis on economic 
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development through partner-based initiatives; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, By being given a State designation as "rural", 
 


 






HR0955
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LRB096 21361 MJR 37502 r




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universities may benefit when soliciting grant funding from 
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private or federal entities; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The Board of Higher Education has the capability 
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within its rules to establish a partnership with the federal 
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grant program upon its official inception; therefore, be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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direct the Board of Higher Education to establish a foundation 
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to implement the rural campus designation program in this State 
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in correlation with the federal program; and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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delivered to the Board of Higher Education.