Friday Memo

              March 28, 2008
Panel on campus security to brief IBHE at April 1 meeting
Representatives of the Campus Security Task Force will brief the Board of Higher Education and the higher education community when the IBHE meets on April 1 at the Illinois State University Bone Center. President John Peters of Northern Illinois University will make brief remarks, followed by a discussion of emergency response, training for all-hazards emergencies, mental health issues, and legal matters related to student privacy. Carrie J. Hightman, Chairwoman of the Board, said, “We want this to be a moment of remembrance while recognizing that we have a teachable moment as well, an opportunity to learn from the pain in ways that won’t make it go away, but can point us to the future.”
Public Agenda consultants to discuss report of educational needs
Dennis Jones, President of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), will present an updated report on the state’s public needs for education at the IBHE meeting April 1 at ISU. NCHEMS, a respected research and public policy institute, has studied Illinois’ population demographics, workforce trends, educational attainment, and economic development strengths and shortcomings. “We are beginning to see real, tangible progress in this process,” Chairwoman Hightman said. “Already, with the Public Needs Report and the upcoming analysis of state policies, we are starting to get a sense of the value of assessing the condition of higher education in Illinois and the potential the planning process holds for making stronger connections between our colleges and universities and the state’s economic wellbeing.”
NIU seeks suggestions for memorial to honor victims of Feb. 14 tragedy
NIU Vice President for University Advancement Michael P. Malone, who has been named chair of the February 14th Memorial Committee, is soliciting suggestions for the creation of a permanent physical memorial to honor the victims of the tragic events of last month. Members of the NIU community are encouraged to send their suggestions to memorial@niu.edu.
National study reveals interest in study abroad continues to grow among high school students
College-bound students demonstrate high levels of global awareness, and significant proportions anticipate
UPCOMING
March
29-30 IBHE Student Advisory Committee, Urbana
31 ICCB meeting, Sugar Grove
April
1 IBHE meeting, Bloomington-Normal DFI Program Board, Bloomington
1 House Higher Education Committee, 5 p.m., D-1, SOB
1-3 ICCB campus security conference, Bloomington
2 Private College Student Lobby Day, Springfield www.federationedu.org
4 ISAC meeting, Springfield
9 Higher Education Lobby Day, Springfield
11-12 Student African American Brotherhood Conference, Matteson
15 Community College Student Lobby Day, Springfield
29 ICCTA, Council of Community College Presidents, Springfield