SJ0008 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0008 LRB096 08248 NHT 18355 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Several recent economic and academic studies have demonstrated a growing skills gap among workers in the nation; and

WHEREAS, These studies have demonstrated that the greatest disparity in skills exists among the nation's traditionally underrepresented minority populations, specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans; and

WHEREAS, A logical and efficient manner of addressing this skill gap is through the provision of post-secondary education; and

WHEREAS, Illinois needs to improve college access for all of its citizens in order to address the skill gap, provide a cadre of more qualified and competent workers for Illinois businesses, and improve the State economy; and

WHEREAS, Traditionally underrepresented populations, specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, make up an increasingly higher percentage of the State's population, and thus will be called upon to make up an increasingly higher percentage of the State's workforce; and

WHEREAS, Traditionally underrepresented populations, specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, make up a disproportionately lower percentage of those students attending colleges and universities in Illinois as compared to their overall Illinois population; and

WHEREAS, It has been demonstrated that traditionally underrepresented student populations are more successful in their degree attainment when they are taught and supported by faculty and staff that includes those of similar ethnic and cultural backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Traditionally underrepresented populations, specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, make up a disproportionately lower percentage of the faculty and staff at colleges and universities in Illinois as compared to their overall Illinois population; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that a bi-partisan task force on the status of underrepresented minorities in higher education is commissioned to evaluate the status of traditionally underrepresented populations, specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, in this State's public and private institutions of higher education; and be it further

RESOLVED, That membership on this task force include 2 Republican and 2 Democrat members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 2 Republican and 2 Democrat members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; the Chairperson, or his or her designee, of the State Board of Education, the Executive Director, or his or her designee, of the Board of Higher Education, and the Executive Director, or his or her designee, of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; and the head, or his or her designee, of a group representing independent Illinois colleges and universities, the head, or his or her designee, of a group representing black concerns in higher education in Illinois, the head, or his or her designee, of a group representing Latinos and higher education in Illinois, and the head, or his or her designee, of a group representing the interests of community colleges in Illinois, each appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this task force assess accessibility of institutions of higher education in Illinois for those in the above-stated Illinois populations who want to enroll as students; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force assess the representation of these populations in all job categories, including faculty, staff, and civil service, at institutions of higher education in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force assess issues of campus climate that might affect the success of students and the retention of faculty and staff at institutions of higher education in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force pay particular attention during its assessment of those college and university programs that target areas of the most drastic skills disparity, as identified by previously published economic and academic studies; and be it further

RESOLVED, That in order to make these assessments, the task force shall receive assistance from the Board of Higher Education and shall hold a series of regional public hearings on college and university campuses across the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this task force shall file a report with the General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the State Board of Education, and the Board of Higher Education upon completion of its assessments, and that this report shall include any findings and recommendations for further legislative action that are generated as a result of the task force's work; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Chairperson of the State Board of Education, the Executive Director of the Board of Higher Education, and the Executive Director of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.