HB3220eng 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3220 Engrossed LRB097 03216 NHT 43253 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Accountability in Higher Education Act.

Section 5. Annual plans.

(a) Public universities in this State shall develop annual academic, financial, and enrollment plans that outline all of the following:

(1) Tuition and fee estimates.

(2) Enrollment projections.

(3) Retention policies and projections.

(4) A number of accountability measures, including meeting benchmarks related to accessibility and affordability developed in consultation with statewide organizations representing faculty and staff.

(b) These plans must be submitted to the Board of Higher Education no later than June 30th of each year and must be reviewed by the Board for recommendations to be made each year at one of the Board's regularly scheduled meetings.

Section 10. State policy objectives. Public universities in this State must commit themselves formally to meeting the following State policy objectives, in conjunction with the goals set forth in the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success:

(1) Providing access to higher education, including meeting enrollment demand.

(2) Providing a broad range of academic programs.

(3) Maintaining high academic standards.

(4) Improving student retention and progress toward timely graduation.

(5) Developing uniform articulation agreements with public community colleges.

(6) Stimulating economic development.

(7) If appropriate, increasing externally funded research and improving technology transfer.

(8) Actively working with grades kindergarten through 12 to improve student achievement.

(9) Meeting financial and administrative management standards.

(10) Making enrollment affordable, regardless of income.

Section 15. Performance indicators. The Board of Higher Education shall be responsible for developing performance indicators to measure whether public universities in this State are meeting State policy objectives under Section 10 of this Act, in conjunction with the goals set forth in the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.