University of Illinois trustees on Thursday approved a three-year pilot program at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) to offer in-state tuition rates to students from three counties in Missouri and Iowa.
The pilot program, which takes effect in the 2024 fall semester, aligns with UIS’ efforts to attract more out-of-state students to grow its enrollment and compete more effectively in areas that border Illinois. UIS also anticipates the program will allow it to increase enrollment diversity and geographically expand its reputation as an affordable university that offers an excellent education.
UIS total enrollment increased by 6.4 percent last fall to 4,198 students. The university is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the best public regional university in Illinois and this year is ranked No. 3 among public regionals in the Midwest. U.S. News also ranks UIS among the top schools in the Midwest for students graduating with the least debt.
“UIS is among the finest public regional universities in the country and offers affordable excellence to students from across Illinois,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said after the regular Board of Trustees meeting in Chicago. “Extending resident tuition rates to students in areas that neighbor the state will make UIS a very attractive option for those students and expand the university’s recruiting base.”
Under the program, resident tuition will be offered to students in St. Charles and St. Louis counties in Missouri, including much of the St. Louis metropolitan area, and Scott County in Iowa, which includes the Davenport area. The pilot program could be expanded into contiguous areas or other neighboring states based on its success.
The new program will allow UIS to better compete with other universities outside the U of I System, many of which currently offer in-state tuition rates to some students from other states.
“By implementing this program, UIS will be able to enhance its competitiveness with other universities in the region and expand access to a world-class education for students who may have been discouraged from enrolling at UIS by the cost of out-of-state tuition,” UIS Chancellor Janet L. Gooch said.
UIS leaders anticipate about 60 students will be enrolled through the program by the end of the three-year pilot.
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
Trustees also approved the closure of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign. The final cohort of students graduated in 2022.
Operations that had been based in Urbana-Champaign have been integrated into other College of Medicine campuses in Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford following the decision in 2015 to establish the Carle Illinois College of Medicine.
Carle Illinois College of Medicine in Urbana-Champaign is the world’s first engineering-based medical school.
OTHER BUSINESS
In addition, trustees approved a number of leadership appointments across the U of I System:
Jamarco Clark was appointed vice chancellor for student affairs at UIS, retroactive to June 12. Clark has been the assistant dean of students and director of leadership engagement at the University of Iowa. He succeeds Ann Comerford, who served as interim vice chancellor for student affairs since June 2021.
Brandon Schwab was appointed vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost at UIS, effective July 17. Schwab is currently associate provost for academic affairs at Western Carolina University. He succeeds Cecilia Cornell, who has been serving as interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost since May 8.
Kenneth Kriz was appointed interim vice chancellor for finance and administration at UIS. The appointment is retroactive to May 16. Kriz, a distinguished professor of public administration at UIS, succeeds Arnold Henning. Henning served as interim vice chancellor for finance and administration since July 2021.
Sandra J. Wayne was appointed dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Chicago, effective Aug. 16. Wayne is a professor of managerial studies and interim dean of the college. She succeeds Michael Mikhail, who returned to the faculty in July 2022.
Benjamin James Lough was appointed dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), effective July 21. Lough is a professor in the school and has served as dean designate since May 16. He succeeds Steven G. Anderson, who returned to the faculty.
Miriam Wallace was appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at UIS, retroactive to July 1. Wallace has served as a professor of English at the New College of Florida since 1995 and succeeds Lan Dong, who served as interim dean.
Verity Winship was appointed interim dean of the College of Law at UIUC, effective July 21. She is a professor in the college. She succeeds Vikram D. Amar, who returned to the faculty.
J. Travis Bland was appointed interim dean of the College of Health, Science and Technology at UIS, retroactive to July 1. Bland has been associate dean of the College of Public Affairs and Education and succeeds Mark Anderson, who had been interim dean.
