U of I wants bigger budget from state but calls Pritzker proposal ‘strong commitment’
University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen was pleased to hear Pritzker’s budget proposal.
“This is a big step forward. I really appreciate the governor’s set of priorities,” Killeen said.
In his budget speech, Pritzker proposed a 7% increase in the university’s budget and a $100 million increase in the MAP grant program.
Killeen says 7% is great, but they still want more.
“Is this enough? You know, we want more,” he said. “Our budget request is 10%. And I’m glad that Governor Pritzker has a worthy budget.”
Killeen said he also hopes for more stability going forward. Killeen wants a multi-year funding plan with a steady annual increase rather than waiting each year to see what the university system gets from the state.
“We’re going to advocate for years and years of sustained, predictable growth to get us back where we need to be as a state,” Killeen said.
Killeen was very pleased with the proposed increase in MAP grants, as were the three presidents from various university chapters. Financial aid programs are important to help in-state students pay for tuition in public schools. The university plans to raise his tuition fee by 1.8% next year.
“Funding maps is great for bringing a quality education to as many students as possible,” said UIS Chancellor Janet Gooch.
Administrators at the University of Illinois attended hundreds of students for their annual Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Wednesday.
The students who supported the increase in the MAP subsidy more than anyone else.
“Without the MAP grant, I wouldn’t have the opportunity I have now, and I wouldn’t be in college,” said Juana Cordova, a UIC senior majoring in political science.
Pritzker said the additional investment will allow students to get free tuition at community colleges between MAP grants and federal Pell grants.
“The MAP grant has made me less worried about how I will pay this back in the future,” said Mckayla Bartkiewicz, a junior political science major at UIS.
Pritzker’s proposal for funding higher education is part of a massive increase in education funding across the board. The proposal came in a year when many were calling for a more frugal approach to budgeting.
The University of Illinois will be far from the last organization to request more money from its upcoming budget. UIUC President Robert Jones said that while there is still negotiation to be done, the first proposal is that the university should be comfortable with higher education. It shows a greater commitment than it does.
“It is really nice to start with about 7% of the top, partly because the leader understands the fundamental value of investing in higher education and investing in his flagship research university. Because it’s nice to have something,” Jones said.
https://www.mystateline.com/news/u-of-i-wants-bigger-budget-from-the-state-but-calls-pritzkers-proposal-strong-commitment/ U of I wants bigger budget from state but calls Pritzker proposal ‘strong commitment’