The Higher Learning Commission sent a letter to Illinois lawmakers on Thursday, saying it is “obligated to move swiftly to protect Illinois students” if the state’s budget impasse continues and public colleges are denied state funds. Capitol Fax, an Illinois politics blog, obtained a copy of the letter, which is addressed to the state’s governor and members of the legislature.
In the letter, Barbara Gellman-Danley, president of the commission, wrote that the accreditor had contacted the state’s public colleges and instructed them to submit detailed plans describing how students can transfer elsewhere if the colleges believe they will have to close or suspend operations. Ms. Gellman-Danley went on to say that the commission, after reviewing the plans, may decide to sanction the colleges or move to withdraw their accreditation.
The state’s public colleges have been feeling the pain after more than seven months without money from the state. On Thursday, Chicago State University declared financial exigency, which lays the groundwork for possible drastic cuts, including the firing of tenured professors.
“The lack of state funding is putting Illinois colleges and universities at serious risk and jeopardizing the future of students,” Ms. Gellman-Danley wrote, adding that she had sent the letter because “I believe it is important for you to have all the relevant information before making the tough decisions that fall to your positions.”
