IL HR1051

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has grown 26.8 percent from 1996 to 2016 while Carbondale enrollment has declined, with both campuses now having nearly identical enrollment levels.

State appropriation funds are currently distributed 64 percent to Carbondale and 36 percent to Edwardsville, falling short of the historical 60/40 split established at the Edwardsville campus's inception.

The SIU Board of Trustees rejected a proposal to reallocate approximately $5.1 million in state funds to move closer to the expected 60/40 funding distribution.

Directs the Illinois Board of Higher Education to study the governance structure of Southern Illinois University, including the feasibility of splitting into two distinct universities with separate Boards of Trustees.

The study should review alternative governance options and whether enrollment-based appropriations would provide equitable state funding distribution between the two campuses.