Thursday, January 19, 2017

UIS in-state freshmen tuition rate frozen for third straight year

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved tuition rates for next fall with no increase in base tuition for in-state freshmen, extending a tuition freeze at its three universities to a third straight year.

The freeze is the longest since tuition rates held steady for four years in the mid-1970s – from 1974-77 – and was approved despite a budget impasse that has significantly reduced state funding for the U of I System for the last two years.

President Tim Killeen said the extended tuition freeze reflects a commitment to access and affordability that has helped increase System-wide enrollment to record highs for the last two years, topping 81,000 students last fall.

“Our affordability efforts serve both students and the public good – providing the high-quality education that transforms students’ lives and collectively supplying the next-generation workforce that is essential to drive progress for our state and nation,” Killeen said.

Base tuition for in-state undergraduates next fall will match rates for the 2014-15 academic year at $9,405 in Springfield. Out-of-state and international tuition rates will stay at current levels in Springfield, with a $20 per credit hour increase in administration fees for online programs.

Tuition rates for incoming students will remain unchanged for four years under the state’s guaranteed tuition law, launched in 2004 to help students and families plan for the cost of a public university education by fixing tuition rates for the four years required to complete most undergraduate degree programs.

The U of I System also has proposed holding the line on future tuition rates through a groundbreaking bill introduced in the Illinois legislature last November. The proposed U of I Investment, Performance, and Accountability Commitment (IPAC) would provide predictable state funding for university operations over the next five years in exchange for tangible performance goals that support Illinois students and serve the needs of the state. If approved, the measure would hold tuition increases to the rate of inflation or less for the five years of the agreement, while also providing high levels of student financial aid.

Over the last decade, the University has ramped up internal efforts to protect the most financially vulnerable students, increasing institutional financial aid more than fourfold to $84 million annually. Through state, federal, University and donor-provided financial aid, half of undergraduates pay less than full sticker price across the System’s three universities.

Undergraduate fees/Housing 

The board also approved mandatory student fees and room-and-board rates for the 2017-18 academic year.

Student fees exclude optional student health insurance rates, which are typically established in March. Fees approved Thursday help fund costs such as operating campus recreational facilities, student unions, career services, athletics, counseling centers and libraries, and also help with facility maintenance, renovations and utilities.

Mandatory fees in Springfield will increase 10.4 percent, or $210, to $2,226 annually, through an increase that will take effect in the spring 2018 semester to support student-approved fees for a new student union and environmental sustainability projects.

In Springfield, a standard housing and gold meal plan will increase 0.6 percent, or $60, to $10,810 per year.

Monday, January 16, 2017

UIS students volunteer at ten locations during the national Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Over 100 students from the University of Illinois Springfield participated in the national Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 16, 2017. Students volunteered at ten Springfield locations.

Students packaged over 10,000 meals as part of the Stop Hunger Now event held in the Student Life Building at UIS. Stop Hunger Now gets food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people, and works to end global hunger in our lifetime. Established in 1998, the organization has provided over 225 million meals in 74 countries. Based in Raleigh, N.C., Stop Hunger Now operates throughout the U.S. and through affiliates in developing countries.

In the Springfield community, students arranged storage space at the Habitat for Humanity Restore, worked with residents at Concordia Village, assisted with house duties at the Ronald McDonald House, prepared for an upcoming food giveaway at Serving Jesus Willingly Urban Ministry and sorted donated medical supplies at Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach.

Students also prepared stuffed toys and craft kits for patients at St. John’s Children’s Hospital, painted Head Start areas for the Springfield Urban League, sorted donations at the Hope Thrift Store and helped refurbish computers at the Computer Banc.

Earlier in the day, students watched the documentary “The Line”, which tells the story of people below the poverty line, and heard from Christine Westerlund of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies. They also participated in the NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March and town hall meeting in downtown Springfield before starting service activities.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

UIS extends office hours at Illinois Central College, East Peoria campus

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) and Illinois Central College (ICC) in East Peoria are partnering to make it easier for students to continue their college education after earning their associate’s degree.

Beginning in February, UIS will offer additional office hours for advising and counseling for ICC students considering transferring to UIS.

“The more than 30-year partnership between ICC and UIS has proven very beneficial as a baccalaureate completion option for ICC graduates. ICC is very fortunate to have UIS in close proximity to current students so they can readily and easily understand the transfer opportunities UIS presents to them,” said ICC Interim Provost Margaret Swanson, Ph.D.

In addition to regular Wednesday hours from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., UIS will maintain office hours from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in room 238C on the following dates: February 6 and 20, March 6 and 20, April 3, 10, 17 and 24 and May 1.

"I am pleased to see this partnership enhanced even more as UIS will hold office hours at the ICC East Peoria Campus twice a week rather than only once a week in order to allow ICC students more accessibility to meet with a representative from UIS to ensure a smooth transition when transferring from ICC to UIS,” said Rhonda Bussell, admissions and records officer at the UIS Peoria campus.

“UIS has maintained a campus at Peoria for decades. Illinois Central College is reliably the second largest contributing transfer partner to U of I Springfield. It is only logical that we should maintain a reliable periodic presence at ICC as a way to provide convenience and guidance to our friends in the Peoria area. I’m looking forward to this,” said Raymond Barnett, UIS undergraduate transfer admissions coordinator.

For more information on transferring to UIS, contact Raymond Barnett at 217/206-6626 or rbarn2@uis.edu.