University of Illinois Investment, Performance, and Accountability Commitment (IPAC)

Tomorrow’s University Today

Unprecedented in Illinois, the legislative initiative filed in the 100th General Assembly as Senate Bill 0222 would set in law the level of funding and regulatory relief the U of I System can rely upon for the next five years, as well as setting in law the performance, accountability and transparency commitments that the U of I would provide in return.

President Tim Killeen outlined the proposed agreement to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday, November 10 and issued a news release about the groundbreaking initiative. The board unanimously approved a resolution supporting the measure.

The proposed Investment, Performance, and Accountability Commitment (IPAC) is a win-win for the U of I System and the people of Illinois. Our universities would receive a five-year funding guarantee, at levels to maintain their excellence, along with regulatory reforms that would improve efficiency across the system. In return, the U of I would set into law its commitment to Illinois students and the needs of our state, locking in tangible performance standards for student costs, in-state enrollment, and graduation and retention rates.

President Killeen has also proposed an amendment to IPAC, the Invest in Illinoisans program, which would provide a minimum of $170 million in annual financial aid over five years to keep talented Illinois high school graduates in the state for college and stem a growing outflow of students to out-of-state schools.

On March 8, 2018, Northern Illinois University signed onto the IPAC legislation.

Highlights of the initiative:

A five-year agreement with the state to allow the University to operate effectively, efficiently and with transparency:

Provides the university a stable and appropriate level of state financial support

Establishes a long-term budget planning process that benefits the state and the university

Holds the university accountable to the state in delivering its missions of affordable education, workforce preparation, innovation and economic development

Allows for a more transparent appropriations process and provides sunshine on university metrics and goals for student affordability and enrollment

Gives the university the necessary autonomy to operate most effectively and efficiently and thus be competitive on the world stage, while helping the state reduce expenditures

U of I obligations:

The Board may not increase the base rate of in-State undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees by more than the rate of inflation

The University of Illinois will admit a minimum number of Illinois residents as undergraduates:

14,000 students at Urbana-Champaign

11,800 students at Chicago

1,500 students at Springfield

Illinois residents will comprise at least 50% combined of any growth in on-campus undergraduate enrollment above 2015-2016 levels.

14,000 students at Urbana-Champaign 11,800 students at Chicago 1,500 students at Springfield Illinois residents will comprise at least 50% combined of any growth in on-campus undergraduate enrollment above 2015-2016 levels. The U of I System will provide at least 12.5% combined of the state appropriation to need-based financial aid for Illinois residents

The U of I System will commit to annual financial assistance to underrepresented students of at least $15M financial aid targeted for students of Illinois who are undergraduates from historically underrepresented populations

The U of I System will maintain at least a combined 87% first-to-second year retention rate and at least a combined 72% six-year graduation rate for first-time freshmen in undergraduate programs

The U of I System will increase accountability to the state by providing an annual report card on key indicators, published and updated on the university website

State obligations:

The State will provide a stable appropriation every year for five years that enables the university to deliver on its multiple missions as a state university and properly plan for its future (a minimum appropriation will be identified in statute)

The State will create an Illinois Excellence fund to support retaining and recruiting rising star faculty

The State will reform state regulations to allow the university to be more efficient and streamline operations, including:

Exempt the university from the state procurement code

Reinstate the Certificate of Participation Program

Amend the Property Control Act

President Killeen urged members of the University of Illinois community to contact their legislators, urging support of HB6623, the University of Illinois Investment, Performance, and Accountability Commitment.

President Killeen has also proposed an amendment to IPAC, the Invest in Illinoisans program, which would provide a minimum of $170 million in annual financial aid over five years to keep talented Illinois high school graduates in the state for college and stem a growing outflow of students to out-of-state schools.

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