Four GOP members of the House Higher Education Committee wanted to know why Democrats are trying to split the Southern Illinois University (SIU) campuses.
At the April 19 committee hearing, Reps. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) and Monica Bristow (D-Godfrey) discussed an amendment to HB1292, which would, if passed, split the SIU Edwardsville and Carbondale campuses into two separate boards of trustees.
“We believe we should have self-governance at each university to be able to focus on its unique strengths and to address their weaknesses,” Hoffman said.
Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) pointed out that public notice of a hearing was not properly posted, leaving no time for possible opponents to attend the meeting, and then she noted her predecessor’s, Rep. Mike Bost’s, opposition to the campus separation.
“Anything that separates the campuses diminishes its power and prestige at the state, national and international levels, so separating the campuses does not make one campus stronger and the other campus stronger,” Bryant said of Bost’s opinion. "In fact, it makes both campuses weaker."
Hoffman said he disagreed with Bost in the past on the issue.
“I know you did and that is why I will not quote a lot of his stuff,” Bryant said, before offering her own opinion.
Bryant said she would not be supporting the bill and asked Hoffman to pull the legislation until an independent study on campus separation was performed.
“We are not pulling the bills,” Hoffman said.
Rep. Steven Reick (R-Woodstock) wanted clarification of the possible split in funding if the two campuses separate.
“So, this 60/40 split will become totally irrelevant as both universities come and ask for separate appropriations, am I not correct?” Reick asked.
Hoffman agreed and said he would be willing to work with the Carbondale campus to ensure they do not lose any money if they separate from Edwardsville.
“But the ultimate responsibility and decision rest with the appropriations that we give to those universities, rather than those two universities going to one another and saying I will split it with you this way or that way,” Reick said.
Rep. Robert Pritchard (R-Hinckley) questioned why Hoffman was pushing for two separate boards of trustees, asking why Southern Illinois University can’t be similar to the University of Illinois that has one board and three campuses, all with very different needs and able to resolve their differences.
“There is a model out there that seems to be working very well and to change the system is creating more bureaucracy,” Pritchard said.
Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Gibson City) wanted to know why Hoffman was pushing so hard on the proposal.
“Is the urge to do this coming from the board, is it coming from the faculty, is it coming from the students, is it coming from the president?” Bennett asked. “I am trying to understand what is driving this.”
Hoffman said the Edwardsville campus wants the split.
No action was taken on HB1292.
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