SR1195 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1195 LRB099 15340 MST 39583 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success requires increased academic achievement, college affordability, and college completions by more Illinoisans in order for Illinois to achieve economic growth and vitality; and

WHEREAS, Effective and quality college education requires State funding for the operations of public institutions of higher education and financial assistance for low-income students to achieve college degrees if Illinois is to increase the number of citizens with a postsecondary degree to 60% by 2025 to meet workforce demands; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Board of Higher Education is keenly aware of the uncertainty the lack of a Fiscal Year 2016 budget is creating for Illinois college students, professors, and staff at Illinois' 48 community colleges and 12 public universities, some of whose very existence is being threatened; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Board of Higher Education is sincerely concerned that the 125,000 Illinois college students that are eligible for the Monetary Award Program have not received state MAP funding; and

WHEREAS, The budget uncertainty is threatening the quality and talent in universities by encouraging students, faculty, and staff to seek careers outside of the State, imposing long-term damage on our capacity to serve the State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we strongly urge an immediate adoption of a State budget that will provide security for students dependent on State financial aid, ensure financial stability to community colleges and public universities, and deliver to Illinois public higher education the resources needed to accelerate and sustain the State's economic health; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, the Leaders of the General Assembly, and the leadership of the higher education community.