August
08
Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding August Meeting
The Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding will hold a meeting on August 8. Contact Sonianne Lozada at Sonianne@partnershipfcc.org to register.
ViewOur Mission
The Coalition for Transforming Higher Education funding believes that if we advance a public university funding model that prioritizes racial and socioeconomic equity, then we will see statewide increases in higher education equity; through better-resourced institutions serving more representative student populations, more resources directed to colleges serving Black, Latinx, low-income, rural and first generation college students, and increased investment in higher education.
Through our advocacy, we work to ensure that higher education in Illinois is accessible and affordable for Illinois students.
Our Story
Illinois has experienced a significant disinvestment in higher education through the years, impacting Black, Latinx, and students of low-income backgrounds the most. After years of advocacy by higher education advocates, the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill 815 in 2021 creating the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding to recommend at a minimum “specific data-driven criteria and approaches to the General Assembly to adequately, equitably, and stably fund public universities in this State and to evaluate existing funding methods.”
In response to the growing need to rally higher education funding equity champions, the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding was formed. Our efforts include ensuring financial support is offered directly to students through grants such as the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and that institutions in Illinois are provided with the resources needed to meet the needs of the whole student.
The Coalition convenes monthly to discuss how we can ensure equity in public university funding and mobilizes stakeholders to advocate with us throughout the state.
Guiding Principles
Members of the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education believe a New Public University Funding Model for Illinois’ public universities must include these guiding principles:
Be student driven and student-centered
- Center the needs of the whole student as well as expand access for both aspiring and current college students, with particular attention to the unique needs of diverse populations
- Boost student voice and experience to allow for a collective understanding of issues that matter most to the student population
Prioritize equity to drive transformation in access and opportunity
- Any new funding model removes systemic barriers to access, affordability, and completion across race, socioeconomic status
- Prioritize increased student enrollment, persistence, retention, and graduation rates particularly among Black, Latinx, students from low-income backgrounds, and those historically excluded from or underserved by higher education
Cultivate a healthy, diverse and stable higher education system
- Provide equitable distribution of state resources to ensure that Illinois maintains a diverse landscape of public universities that can meet the needs of students, especially those historically underrepresented, across all areas/geographies of the state
- Fund institutions in a way that prioritizes sustainability
Adequately fund institutions to meet diverse student needs
- Any investments made to the higher education system must prioritize Latinx, Black, first-generation students, and students of low income backgrounds
- Institutions are welcoming environments that are prepared to adequately support students of diverse identities (race, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, geographic location, age, diverse learners, etc.), upon entry
- Ensure institutions are adequately resourced (i.e., staffing, training & development, etc.) so that they can provide all students with an affordable, high-quality path toward achieving their career and life aspirations
Upcoming Meeting Dates
There are a number of ways you can get involved with the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding. Start today by signing up to attend a Coalition meeting! At these monthly meetings, you’ll join other advocates in learning the latest on the state’s work on public university funding and find out ways to start taking actions in support of an adequate, equitable and stable funding system for Illinois’ public universities.
Interested in joining the Coalition?
To learn more about joining our Coalition, please reach out to Community Engagement Manager Sonianne Lozada at Sonianne@Partnershipfcc.org for more information.
