SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) was appointed yesterday to the Midwestern Higher Education Commission, a group of lawmakers and higher education leaders who share ideas and resources to make high-quality college education more affordable.

"As a legislator, I'm deeply involved in improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of higher education in Illinois," said Frerichs, who chairs the Senate Higher Education Committee. "I look forward to learning from my colleagues in other states as we address the common challenge of expanding opportunities and maintaining competitive programs on tight budgets."

MHEC focuses on regional collaboration in the areas of student access, cost savings and policy research. Founded in 1991 through the Midwestern Higher Education Compact ratified by legislatures in 12 states, it is governed by a 60-member council, with five members appointed from each state. Frerichs, appointed by Senate President John Cullerton, succeeds outgoing MHEC member and retired state senator Edward Maloney.

"I'm excited about meeting with other members of the Commission, sharing my perspective on higher education and bringing back sound research and innovative approaches to Illinois," Frerichs said.

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Yesterday, I presented legislation to bring balance to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Currently, the governor appoints all nine permanent trustees. My proposal would allow the board of the University of Illinois Alumni Association to appoint five of the nine while the governor fills the other four seats.

Trustees used to be elected by the voters of Illinois, but candidates were often relative unknowns slated by political parties, and few voters were informed about their choices. Jim Edgar was the first governor to appoint U of I trustees.

Governors come and go, but over the years we've seen appointments politicized at other institutions. It makes sense to allow an organization with knowledge of and a proven passion for the university to have a say in picking the trustees who govern our flagship institution of higher learning. Making the appointment process more balanced will help the University of Illinois avoid some of the unnecessary political battles that have taken place elsewhere, most recently at Southern Illinois University.

The Senate Education Committee approved Senate Bill 46 (Amendment #1) yesterday; the next step is debate and a vote on the Senate floor. If the measure passes, the change will be phased in gradually, beginning in 2015.

It's always a pleasure to work with the Alumni Association for the benefit of the University of Illinois, and I look forward to discussing this legislation further with my colleagues in the legislature.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign), accompanied by members of the House and Senate Higher Education committees, heard testimony yesterday from students, state university staff, community college staff and Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon on how to make college more affordable for Illinois residents.

"From tuition to housing to textbooks, the price tag of a college education is prohibitive for too many students, resulting in years of debt or opportunities lost," said Frerichs, who serves as chairperson of the Senate Higher Education Committee. "At the same time, many of our universities and community colleges are working hard to find creative ways to contain costs, even as they receive less funding from the state."

Representatives of the University of Illinois noted its tuition increase this year is the smallest in a decade; at EIU, tuition rose less than it has in the past 37 years.

Students from Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois Springfield testified about the difficulties of affording college. Joe McGee, a peer counselor for other UIS students, spoke of classmates withdrawing from courses because of inability to purchase the required textbooks. Simon recounted her statewide tour of community colleges and presented findings from her report entitled, "Game Changers: Innovative Practices in Illinois Higher Education," which discusses approaches such as dual enrollment in high school and community college, reverse transfers and tax credits for graduates working in certain geographic and skill areas.

"Our job as members of the Higher Education Committee will be to find ways to broaden the impact of innovations that may be working at one or two institutions but could be working statewide," Frerichs said. "We need to support our universities as they maintain access and excellence while improving value."

For example, Eastern Illinois University is one of only a few dozen institutions in the nation that operates its own textbook rental program. History major Zach Samples told committee members he is able to save $500 or more per semester by renting his textbooks.

"I look forward to continuing this conversation while visiting colleges and universities this spring and learning the most effective ways to make sure Illinoisans, including first-generation and non-traditional students, continue to find the door of opportunity wide open at our state's institutions of higher learning," Frerichs said.