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report to the Board. There was no discussion following his report.
13. Recommendations of the Academic Affairs Committee Concerning an Academic Application Fee
Structure.
Dr. Pearce briefly outlined the contents of this item. After his presentation, the Board had the
following discussion:
Dr. Washington said, “We appreciate the work that has been done on this very important issue. It
is clear that we are consistent with most states in terms of having a fee structure for out-of-state
institutions as well as for-profit institutions, and we are also working diligently to be sure that these funds
are protected so that we do not have them used for other purposes. It is very important that that is the
case. It is like getting money for a certain purpose, and your integrity is tested in terms of whether you
will use it for the purpose for which you got it. So, we are very cognizant of that, and thanks to Jerry Dill
for his comments in that regard.
“This is a very exciting time in that for the first time, we have taken this type of action. Also, to
have funds set aside to meet some of the needs in this time of economic shortage and that we are able to
identify a process, whereby through the fee structure, we are able to meet a very definite need that we all
can identify. I thank the committee for its input, and also, I thank the staff for the superb job in keeping
us on track on what we are recommending.
“I make the motion that we allow the staff to proceed to do the necessary work to ensure that we
have authority from the Illinois General Assembly and the Office of the Governor to create and collect an
academic application processing fee for the purpose we have outlined.”
Mr. Bergman said, “I think that at this point the Board does not have the authority to collect
administrative fees.”
Dr. Washington said, “You are absolutely correct.”
Mr. Bergman said, “I hope when you go to the General Assembly, the wording, in whatever
legislation they pass or rule is promulgated, is wide-ranging so that if something comes up in the future,
we will have the opportunity to collect the needed fee.”
Chairwoman Hightman said, “We will see. That is not a bad idea, but I do not know if we can do
it.”
Dr. Washington said, “It would be great if we could.”
Chairwoman Hightman said, “I know this committee has been in existence for a long time -- at
least two years -- and you have had lots of meetings, and I want to thank Dr. Washington for leading this
effort, and for not just this, but for the rule changes, too. There was a lot of work going into it, and it
seems like so many of the issues that have come up in the Board meetings, that I have attended, involve
matters that are being addressed by your rule changes and the work that you have been doing. So, I want
to express the gratitude of the Board for all your hard work.”
The Illinois Board of Higher Education, on motion made by Dr. Washington and seconded by Dr.
Rutman, unanimously charges staff to pursue authority from the Illinois General Assembly and the Office
of the Governor to create and collect an Academic Application Processing Fee for the purpose of funding
additional professional staff and activities related to processing academic applications and providing
