From the President

Good Morning. My name is Lisa Freeman and I am the President of Northern Illinois University, a public university that proudly serves a racially, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse student body- about three quarters of whom are the first in their families to attend college. I want to thank this committee for the opportunity to echo and expand upon the points made by my colleagues.

Illinois universities recognize that traditional approaches to increasing bachelor's degree attainment are insufficient to meet the challenges and opportunities facing us today. Accordingly, we are creating authentic partnerships that are responsive to the needs of Illinois students and communities, particularly those that have been historically underserved. I will use my testimony to highlight collaborations among NIU and community colleges that have been successful at developing talent and addressing workforce needs, at elevating individuals and their communities, and at closing achievement gaps and addressing systemic inequity.

NIU's partnership with Rock Valley College grew out of demand for engineers in the Rockford area. The program was developed in 2015- launched in 2016- and has placed more than 110 mechanical engineers in area companies. After two years at RVC, students seamlessly transition to NIU courses taught by our faculty at RVC. Students also gain real world, experience via employment and paid internships with 60 participating companies.

Similarly, Elgin Community College students can attain an NIU bachelor's in education, student-teach locally and obtain teaching licensure without ever leaving their community. Now in its 5^th year, the program has achieved a one hundred percent on-time graduation rate, contributing 103 qualified teachers most of whom are bilingual to the Elgin area. And the program is serving as model for expansion at and beyond ECC. We are working with Harper to expand offerings on their campus. Moreover, this fall NIU is launching degree completion programs at the McHenry County College University Center in computer science, psychology, public health, early childhood education, and business administration.

Three years ago, after debating the need for community college bachelor's degrees, IL higher education institutions, employers, and other stakeholders partnered to form the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity. This collaboration is yielding a strong pipeline of well-qualified educators needed to meet the workforce demands in early childhood education and care. It has succeeded in expanding access to higher education credentials and facilitating educational advancement for the incumbent workforce.

These examples highlight the ability of IL higher education institutions to work across sectors to meet workforce demand and equitably address individual and community needs. We want to continue to work together to drive the Illinois economy, drawing on the strengths of our respective institutions and remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer resources.

Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to have Gov. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Stratton as well as Sen. Rezin and Reps. Yednock and Keicher on campus to talk about the importance of investing in higher education.

Gov. Pritzker's Fiscal Year 2024 proposed budget reaffirms the value of higher education as a public good. With an historic commitment to public universities, it promotes access, affordability and opportunity for all Illinoisans, and acknowledges the critical connections among higher education, social mobility and economic prosperity.

Particularly noteworthy in the governor's proposed budget for higher education is support for student financial aid, with an unprecedented increase in funding for the Monetary Awards Program and a continued commitment to the AIM HIGH Grant Program. These programs eliminate the financial barriers that prevent capable students from pursuing a college education. They are transformative for individuals and communities.

The governor's proposed 7% increase in the state portion of public university funding for operations is the largest proposed increase in two decades, and will positively impact students by allowing universities to invest in the resources they need to be successful academically and socially. Furthermore, this investment will help restore support for institutional operations that was negatively impacted during a prior period of reductions in higher education funding.

Continued funding for the Rebuild Illinois program supports construction initiatives and critical university infrastructure projects, repairs and renovations. This capital funding is badly needed to address life/safety facility issues on campuses and to tackle the deferred maintenance backlog. The human return on these capital expenditures will be substantial. The projects will create jobs that fuel local economies, and the modernized facilities will help attract and retain students, faculty and staff who are critical to Illinois' future workforce.

This investment in higher education is essential for the future of our state. Illinois' 12 public universities serve every region. They enroll more than 183,000 students who will become tomorrow's educators, scientists, artists, engineers, entrepreneurs, medical professionals and leaders in all facets of life. For Illinois cities and towns, such as DeKalb, where we are located, public universities facilitate community engagement, business growth and workforce development to sustain robust economic ecosystems. Our institutions also address complex, real-world challenges through research and innovation to improve society and our world.

Individually and collectively, Illinois public universities represent an enormous state resource that has served past generations with distinction and will benefit many more to come.

Thank you, Gov. Pritzker, for your administration's commitment to public higher education. It is my honor to introduce the 43^rd governor of the state of Illinois, JB Pritzker.

Good afternoon, Chairmen Castro, McConchie and Sandoval, and members of the Senate Sub-committee on Capital.

My name is Lisa Freeman, president of Northern Illinois University. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today about NIU's request for state investment in a forthcoming multi-year infrastructure program.

In college guides for parents and prospective students, such as the one published by the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, the condition of campus infrastructure and facilities is a key point on the list of what should be considered when selecting a university to attend.

As public universities and state leaders continue to focus attention on years of enrollment declines and the outmigration of students, NIU believes capital investment in higher education should be considered as a significant part of a multi-pronged solution.

Keeping maintenance needs, student recruitment and accreditation of academic programs in mind, NIU has thoughtfully prioritized a list of 11 projects for which we respectfully request the state's investment of approximately $326 million for expenditure throughout the next multi-year capital program. Included in this number is funding for demolition of buildings that are no longer inhabitable. This approach allows us to maintain our current campus footprint, and relives the deferred maintenance burden.

Diversity, equity and inclusion remain a large part of NIU's commitment to excellence, and NIU understands that minority participation is a very important piece of any forthcoming multi-year capital plan.

The list of NIU priorities includes one new academic building and the rehabilitation, or enhancement of 10 existing buildings all ranging from 41 to 107 years old and having not had any significant modernization investments. We recognize that additional revenue is required to support NIU and higher education needs. We appreciate the efforts in Springfield to consider multi-year plans and mechanisms. In fact, the public university presidents and chancellors are meeting with Gov. Pritzker on Thursday to discuss revenue options to support our requests. At NIU, we are open to supplement our appropriations with philanthropy and partnership funding.

I am joined today by Sarah McGill, vice president for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer. At this time, I will turn it over to Sarah to provide additional detail regarding the university's priorities.

Thank you.

Speaking with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education, leaders of America’s colleges, universities, and scholarly societies call for constructive engagement.

Read full A Call for Constructive Engagement statement

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Across the nation, noncitizen students and scholars are facing great uncertainty and anxiety because of recent federal actions. Reports of more than 300 student and scholar visas being revoked, and individuals being detained or deported for expressing viewpoints deemed offensive by the federal government, are deeply concerning. As a member of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, NIU joins more than 570 universities and colleges in calling on the administration to respect an individual’s constitutional rights to free speech and due process.

International and undocumented students and scholars are valued, contributing members of our NIU community. The university is actively supporting them in their teaching, learning, status compliance and overall well-being. Our community should be mindful that an individual’s immigration status is protected information (in accordance with legal and ethical standards) to uphold privacy, ensure personal safety and prevent discrimination. 

Our country is experiencing rapid change, uncertainty and heightened division. While some might find it validating, others might feel infuriated. As Huskies, we have the opportunity to demonstrate respect and care, recognizing that we are all here in pursuit of knowledge and growth. Remember, success includes asking for help. Please do not hesitate to utilize the university’s resources, such as the Center for Student Assistance, Counseling and Consultation Services, Employee Well-being or the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost to support your success and help you finish the semester strong.

Together Forward,

Lisa C. Freeman
President

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Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday I had the opportunity to highlight our community’s recent successes and share important updates during the annual State of the University address. We have much to be proud of as a university and together we will continue to build on its incredible legacy.  I hope you will find time to read the message to gain an understanding of our priorities and plans.

Together Forward,

Lisa C. Freeman
President

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Northern Illinois University commends Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois legislature for their commitment and investment in higher education reflected in the signing of the FY25 budget Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The appropriation to NIU supports the university’s mission, vision, values and our ability to transform the lives of students and their communities. The expansion of the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and the continuation of AIM HIGH will enable students statewide to access new opportunities and earn degrees that will bolster social mobility; innovation and research; and economic growth.

Continuing to enhance investment in the state’s public universities is a necessary, worthwhile and strategic decision that will provide long-term benefits for the state’s economy, society and overall prosperity.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Gov. Pritzker for his proposed FY25 budget, which reflects a commendable commitment to supporting higher education amidst a challenging fiscal climate. We particularly appreciate the 2% increase in appropriated funds for operations and the continued support for AIM HIGH and MAP, which will undoubtedly provide much-needed relief to the students of Northern Illinois University. The governor’s additional allocation for deferred maintenance in the FY25 capital budget will support necessary improvements to our campus to ensure safety and functionality and to improve the overall quality of our facilities. While this proposed increase is appreciated and a step in the right direction, it does not fully address the escalating costs of inflation, presenting continued financial hurdles for our institution. The governor’s address is the first step in our state budget process that will continue through May and will involve budget hearings and negotiations before a final budget is approved. We will continue to advocate for investment in higher education and our university. NIU is nothing if not resilient and resolute in our mission to ensure all students have access to the opportunities necessary to pursue and succeed in higher education, regardless of background or circumstance. We will continue to do so despite these prevailing challenges.

Dear Huskies,

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) today reversed its previous rulings on affirmative action and determined that the use of race by colleges and universities in student admission policies is unlawful. NIU’s Office of the General Counsel, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and the governor’s office are reviewing to analyze to what extent the ruling might impact our public universities beyond admissions processes. Together, we will continue to work towards an equitable higher education system.

NIU does not use race as a factor in undergraduate admissions and the university is currently reviewing all of our academic programs to ensure that students are being admitted on the basis of their complete academic profile. NIU will always remain compliant with the law; however, our mission, vision and values remain unchanged. Our student body reflects our long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and our university community’s recognition of such.

NIU’s diversity of people, perspectives and lived experiences is among our greatest strengths, and our commitment to being accessible, affordable and welcoming is only fortified today. NIU remains steadfast in being a university where all can feel they belong and are championed.

Today’s ruling was not unexpected but deals yet another shockwave of frustration, pain and fear for marginalized communities. I encourage each Huskie to take care, engage in respectful discourse and seek support if needed. We will continue to monitor these developments in the coming weeks and provide updates as needed.
Together Forward,

Lisa C. Freeman
President

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Gov. JB Pritzker’s signing of the FY24 budget into law Wednesday June 8, 2023, is a clear and historic demonstration that Illinois understands that an investment in higher education is an investment in our collective future. The 7% increase in support for operations will help our institutions attract, educate and graduate students who will keep Illinois at the forefront of business, STEM fields, education, health care and more for decades to come. We are especially pleased to see the $100 million in additional funding for MAP grants and the $15 million increase in spending on AIM HIGH (which funds the NIU Huskie Pledge program), making that program permanent. This level of commitment to those programs puts life-changing college degrees within reach of talented students across the state, regardless of the economic status of their families, and puts them on a path to a more prosperous future.

Governor JB Pritzker's FY24 budget proposal reflects a positive and significant investment across education and the future of our state. NIU shares the governor's commitment of making sure a college education is affordable, and applauds the significant increase to the Monetary Award Program and the continuation of the AIM HIGH program. We also appreciate the proposed increase to NIU's appropriation that will enhance our ability to provide students with the foundation and resources they need to be successful now and in the future. Higher education is an investment in our collective future because it catalyzes social mobility and economic development. We encourage the legislature to endorse Governor Pritzker's higher education budget proposal to make Illinois stronger and more competitive.

Dear Huskies,

Fifteen years ago, our NIU community experienced immeasurable loss and pain when a man with a gun took the lives of students Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gehant, Ryanne Mace, Daniel Parmenter and Gayle Dubowski. Today and always, we honor and remember these five students and the 17 others who were injured. We continue to hold their families very close to our hearts. We also recognize the incredible ways in which our community cares for one another and continues to move NIU forward.

Today's remembrance is even more somber as Michigan State University is experiencing its own tragedy. We understand too well the fear, uncertainty and profound sadness they face. The entire Spartan community is in our thoughts, and we know that they will find the strength and compassion to guide them through what's ahead.

Days such as this are very difficult, so I ask that you please give yourself and others grace. Please do not hesitate to ask for help if you need support. Our NIU Counseling and Consultation Services and Center for Student Assistance welcome students to reach out and utilize available resources. Employees are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program to be of help with resources you might need. Our community is here for you.

Forward, together forward.

Lisa C. Freeman
President

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Dear Faculty and Staff,

I'm excited to share that you have helped NIU earn recognition from three national organizations for how we live our values and commitment to creating a community that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read each of the NIU Today stories below to learn how our efforts are consistently standing out:

• The Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine
• Campus Pride's 2022 “Best of the Best” List for LGBTQ+ students
• Great Colleges to Work For

As I have shared before, it's an honor when others take notice, but it's not our motivation. We are passionate about this work because it's at the core of who we are, what we do and the hope we have for our society. I'm immensely grateful and proud of your contributions to our university and ask that you continue to do everything you can to help NIU keep improving and moving forward.

Together Forward,
Lisa C. Freeman
President

NIU appreciates Gov. Pritzker's continued commitment to, and confidence in, higher education. He clearly recognizes our ability to transform students' lives and to positively impact our state's future. The inclusion of a supplemental increase to our FY22 budget is especially meaningful in the uncertain, fiscally challenging operating environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are especially pleased to see further investment in critical student aid supports such as AIM HIGH and the Monetary Award Program that help make attaining a university degree more equitable, accessible and possible for a significant number of our students.

We are pleased to see that Gov. Pritzker continues to be a strong proponent of supporting higher education. Sustaining funding at the same level as last year will allow us to continue to effectively serve our diverse audience with the high quality, affordable education and support services they need to be successful, even in this challenging and uncertain time. We are also particularly excited and appreciative to see Governor Pritzker propose an additional $28 million in MAP funding, which is critical to recruiting and retaining students.

Dear Employees,

I'm writing today to provide you with an FY21 budget update, including promising news and persistent uncertainties. Despite the many challenges COVID-19 has continued to provide, remaining focused, yet flexible, in how we respond is paramount in our ability to support our students, protect our community and deliver on our mission, vision and values.

Revised FY21 Budget

In June, we put forth an FY21 budget, with an anticipated shortfall of $39 million, to our Board of Trustees, knowing that additional clarity would come at the start of the semester regarding fall enrollment, residence hall occupancy and any potential additional federal aid to universities. Earlier today, we presented a revised budget to the board that shows a reduced shortfall of $32 million based on the information available to us now. While closing this gap is progress, we remain in a situation that requires additional actions to be taken throughout the year to reduce our costs.

Enrollment

One of the most effective ways we were able to reduce the gap was through our recent uptick in enrollment. In the early part of the summer, universities across the United States were preparing for enrollment declines of 15 percent. But, NIU employees stepped up to champion student success and move the needle on both retaining current students and recruiting new students. I am incredibly proud and grateful for your tireless collaboration and creativity to make these gains.

Providing a productive and supportive student experience this academic year is a priority, and it also comes with new realities. NIU has and will continue to incur increased expenses related to COVID-19 – including those associated with purchasing specialized personal protective equipment, testing and strengthening our technological footprint to ensure our infrastructure can support remote learning needs. We also have seen revenue losses related to housing, dining, events and the postponement of fall sports.

Each division and college will need to continue to pursue short- and long-term cost-containment and revenue-enhancement.

Personnel

Despite financial uncertainty and ongoing challenges, we want to provide wage and salary increments for employees. This summer, we delivered on contractually obligated wage increments for employees represented by bargaining units and, today, we received approval for a 3% increase for unrepresented faculty and staff to take effect Oct. 1. All eligible faculty and staff will receive more information in the coming weeks.

We've also needed to make continued adjustments to our staffing models, including implementing a hiring chill and eliminating positions. This fall, we took additional action to reduce our workforce, which will impact more than 30 employees. This includes positions in our Hoffman Estates Conference Center, where we will discontinue event operations Oct. 30 and move courses to other locations. Changes in client demand and the competitive environment have caused NIU to monitor the viability of Hoffman Estates over the last few years; the significant decline in business since March and continuing uncertainty due to the pandemic have made operation of the center unsustainable. All impacted employees are being offered career and coaching services through our Employee Assistance Program.

Realistically, we will need to consider additional personnel actions and shared sacrifices during this fiscal year. We will assess every option available to us, weigh every decision carefully and be timely in our approach and communications. When tough decisions are made, we will be transparent, thoughtful and respectful.

State Funding and Federal Aid

The State of Illinois is financially strained by COVID-19 and is relying on federal funding to keep its operations funded for the fiscal year. Earlier this week, Gov. Pritzker warned that state agency funding would suffer additional cuts if federal relief does not come through. Under these circumstances, there would almost certainly be a negative impact on NIU's state appropriation. There is also significant uncertainty regarding the prospect and timing of additional direct federal relief to colleges and universities. Moreover, should a relief package be made available, we anticipate that it will not offset the tens of millions of dollars we have lost due to COVID-19.

I want to assure you that we continue to do everything we can to appeal to federal and state legislators to support higher education and students. Huskie alumni have also been advocating on behalf of our university.

Moving Forward

To respond effectively to these significant public health and fiscal challenges, we must stay nimble, adaptive and steadfast in support of our students and each other. Accordingly, the university leadership will keep you apprised of notable developments and will remain engaged with shared governance and bargaining units. We will continue to stand strong and navigate our way through this, together.

Together Forward,

Lisa C. Freeman
President

Dear Faculty and Staff,

This weekend, members of the General Assembly approved a state budget for Fiscal Year 2020, which begins July 1, 2019. NIU saw several gains that will positively impact our goals for long-term stabilization, new facilities and being able to invest in key areas such as enrollment management, research, financial aid and scholarships, as well as salary increments. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has indicated that he will sign and enact the FY20 spending plan, which provides NIU with the following:

• An operating budget for NIU that totals $87.8 million – a 5 percent increase from our FY19 allocation.
• Capital funding for reinvestment and new construction across campus, including:
  • $77 million for the construction of a new health informatics and technology center over the next multiple years. The new facility will allow for greater collaboration among inter-disciplinary programs currently dispersed across campus and bring together a number of outstanding programs and clinics operated by the College of Health and Human Sciences. It is important to note that, while it is extremely exciting to have a new building listed as part of the capital bill, this will be long developing and will require the state to release the money at key intervals of planning, design and construction.
  • $53 million for miscellaneous facility improvements, allowing NIU the flexibility to direct funds to priority enhancement projects. This is a much-needed investment after nearly two decades of zero state funding for deferred maintenance.
  • $10.7 million total in various capital re-appropriations, including $3.1 million for the planning and design of the health informatics and technology center.
• Re-appropriation of $500 million for the Discovery Partner's Institute, of which NIU anticipates receiving $15 million for the Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability (NICCS).
• An increase of $50 million for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, bringing total program funding to $451 million. This is Phase One of the governor's worthy initiative to increase MAP funding by 50 percent over the next four years, and it will begin to close the gap of unfunded eligibility within the program. Nearly half of NIU's student population is eligible for MAP, while only approximately 40 percent receive awards in a given year due to underfunding.
• $25 million to renew AIM High scholarship grants for the fall 2019 cohort, and $10 million to award new AIM High scholarships to the cohort beginning fall 2020. NIU will receive a portion of these funds based on the percentage of Illinois residents it serves.

I want to express my appreciation to the many university community members who reached out to their legislators and/or participated in April 30 NIU Advocacy Day in Springfield. Your time, testimonials and passion for the value of higher education were well-received. I'm also grateful and encouraged by Gov. Pritzker and the bipartisan effort of the Illinois legislature, including our NIU Caucus, to recognize our value and the critical role we play in improving our region, nation and world.

While this is a modest budget increase, we will still need to work seriously and collaboratively to close our budget gap for FY20 and the next several years. I appreciate your commitment to this process and your daily contributions to our university.

Go Huskies,

Lisa

It is refreshing to see that Governor Pritzker has made higher education a priority. His proposed increase to NIU's state appropriations—while not the amount we requested—will help us invest in our people and programs. The proposed increase in MAP and AIM High funding is especially important to recruiting and retaining excellent students, many of whom might otherwise never attend college or leave the state to do so. His commitment to the Discovery Partners and Illinois Innovation Network allows NIU to continue moving forward with our Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability. NIU also appreciates Governor Pritzker's multi-year approach to solving the state's difficult budget situation. This effort is consistent with the university's multi-year plan designed to help us stabilize our financial situation and strengthen our future in FY20 and beyond.

Gov. Rauner has indicated that he will sign HB109, which would approved an FY19 spending bill that provides NIU:

• Operating budget of $83.6 million - a 2 percent increase from our FY18 allocation.
• Funding for FY19 MAP grants that remains flat from FY18; however, the university will now have the opportunity to provide students with multi-year MAP funding. This reform emerged from the bipartisan, bicameral Higher Education Working Group. It will allow us to be more competitive in our recruitment of new students, and to give those students more certainty regarding their financial aid packages over the course of their college careers.
• $6.8 million toward supporting the first phase of the critically needed boiler replacement project.

This is all positive news for our state, for higher education in Illinois and for our students. This funding will allow us to continue the important work of maintaining excellent academic programs; to begin to address critical repair and maintenance needs; to rebound from 700+ days of fiscal and political gridlock in FY16 and FY17; and to recruit and retain qualified students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds.

I deeply appreciate your commitment and effort to be excellent stewards of our university, budget and resources. We have worked hard together to advance academic excellence while making NIU more effective, more efficient and more sustainable. While it is important that we continue this challenging work, we must also develop innovative and new ways to build resourceful relationships that help us to grow and thrive. This will enhance our reputation as we evolve with - and shape - the changing landscape of higher education.

Go Huskies!

Welcome back to all faculty, staff and students. Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful and fulfilling year ahead. I'm writing today to provide you with an update on an important federal development.

Just prior to the end of 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) and most of its provisions went into effect January 1, 2018. This is the most sweeping revision of the U.S. tax code since 1986.

NIU worked closely with other universities across Illinois and the nation to engage and inform legislators as they crafted this legislation during November and December 2017. Many of you also contacted your elected officials. Thanks to these efforts, the final law does not eliminate a number of threatened provisions from current law that enhance the affordability of higher education for students and families. For example, the bill maintains the tax-exempt status of tuition waivers for graduate students as well as university employees and their dependents. The law also preserves the Lifetime Learning Credit for part-time students and tax deductions for student loan interest.

However, this legislation includes provisions that will increase costs for the university and likely for students and families as well. The legislation unfavorably changes the treatment of certain types of university income and reduces tax incentives for charitable giving, potentially stifling philanthropic gifts that support student scholarships, academic research, athletics and other core components of the university. The new limit on individual state and local income tax deductions could further complicate the state's investment in public higher education.

The full magnitude of this legislation's impact on the university, students and their families will come into sharper focus as the details of the law are analyzed in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, I invite you to visit the American Council on Education's comprehensive site for a further explanation about the impact of tax reform on higher education.

As always, NIU is committed to ensuring that an outstanding, affordable public education at NIU remains within reach of all Illinoisans.