Opinion

Independent colleges deserve funding, too

Posted January 30, 2014 4:00 am

These are trying times for higher education as colleges and universities must provide higher quality educational opportunities with limited resources and pressure of controlling student debt. Illinois’ independent colleges and universities are stepping up to meet the challenge, and the results are encouraging.

Our association, the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, represents nearly 60 private, nonprofit institutions around the state. Our latest annual report to Gov. Pat Quinn and state legislators spells out the challenges our members face. Federation colleges and universities are providing real value to students, families and taxpayers across our state. They provide tremendous economic benefits to Illinois: 178,000 jobs created and supported, direct employment for 62,000 residents, $900 million in the local and state tax base.

Our members’ economic activity adds $16.5 billion to Illinois’ economy. If independent colleges and universities went away and the state were left with providing the educational and infrastructure costs, the bill would top $17 billion for property, equipment and physical plants and $1.3 billion a year in instruction.

Independent colleges and universities are proud to say they are working hard to control costs. In fact, when the cost of public subsidies is factored into the price, independent colleges and universities now cost Illinoisans less than the public institutions. More students on our campuses graduate, and they do so more quickly, than at public colleges and universities. More degrees in education, health care and law come from our members even though public schools have higher enrollment.

As policymakers consider important issues such as funding for the MAP grant program, we hope they keep these results in mind as independent colleges and universities work to provide more efficient and effective education for a stronger state.

Dave Tretter

President

Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities

Springfield

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