HE.08.05
February 25, 2008

University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign Senate
Final;Information

HE.08.05 Report on the Illinois Board of Higher Education Meeting, December 4, 2007.*

Items specific to UIUC: Master of Public Health

The IBHE met at Northeastern Illinois University for a meeting that focused heavily on diversity and underrepresented groups and persons with disabilities.  It featured extended presentations by Karen McCulloh, Executive Director of disabilityworks, and Tom Thompson, Chair of the Disabilities Advisory Committee. Gains in terms of underrepresented groups in higher education appear minimal in Illinois and the report itself needs to be improved and expanded.  Performance after graduation is gaining more attention for students with disabilities.  Colleges are universities are being encouraged to employ more persons with disabilities.

Jay Bergman has been appointed to the IBHE by the Governor although the appointment has not yet been approved. He is a Trustee of Illinois State University and president and CEO of Petco Petroleum Corporation. (Note:  his appointment has been questioned by some sources on the grounds Petco has a poor record in terms of pollution and his more than $40,000 campaign contributions to the governor since 2002.)

The meeting moved through the agenda in relatively standard fashion with little controversy.

Ken Andersen
UIUC Senate Representative to the FAC

* Due to scheduling conflicts and the relatively non-controversial nature of the proceedings, this report is based on the agenda and comments and summaries provided by others.