Champaign Senate’s Annual Meeting of the Faculty Oct. 25.
Despite an uncertain future, the UI remains a top institution whose faculty members continually make discoveries recognized around the world, Easter said in his opening comments.
Hogan reiterated the sentiment, saying that he feels honored to be in charge of an institution that has been rated second in the Big Ten, and no economic or political problems will ever diminish his pride in being chosen as its leader.
“I was enviously aware of the standing of the UI (many years before I came here),” Hogan said.
Easter said he shared the concerns expressed about affordability and that some students who want to come to the UI cannot because of the cost. A 9.5 percent tuition increase in tuition, approved by the board at its May meeting, has made it necessary for some students who had been accepted to the UI to choose other schools, he said.
Hogan said the tuition increase, which is guaranteed by law not to change in subsequent years for incoming Illinois residents, was necessary, but that it makes access considerably more limited for many potential students. New revenue generation will be necessary, he said.
The UI is pursing ways to make more scholarships available to more students through one Stewarding Excellence @ Illinois program. The first part of the program includes decreasing tuition waivers for student athletes and re-directing those funds to the general student population.
The UI also has requested an increase in state funding. The increase would make up for federal stimulus funds that will expire. Finding new ways to become less dependent on the state will be more necessary in the future, Hogan said, in order to ensure that “(this) truly great university will remain a great university.”
Hogan said the UI will be talk with state leaders about the state’s commitment to the UI, particularly regarding unfunded mandates in procurement policies.
Peter Loeb, a professor of mathematics, asked Hogan and Easter about the proposed change to university statutes that would make research part of the new title of the vice president for technology and economic development.
Loeb expressed his concerns that “coordinating the research agenda” of the university creates a “corporate” environment that limits academic freedom. Each researcher creates his own research process, which should not be interfered with, he said. “We have no single agenda,” he said.
Both Easter and Hogan agreed, saying the position would not interfere with individual research projects.
Easter and Hogan also talked about the importance of telling the UI story – marketing the accomplishments and history-making innovations and stories of individuals.
“I do think we have a great story to tell,” Hogan said.
