SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Both student members of the SIU Board of Trustees would have the opportunity to vote on academic and institutional matters under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville.

“My legislation would allow for students from both SIU campuses to have a voice on matters that directly affect them and their peers,” said Stuart. “In the past there have been matters affecting the Edwardsville campus that the Carbondale student got to vote on and vice versa. We have also had governors that used their power to designate the single vote to one of the students in such a way as to influence decisions on funding, and this legislation would put an end to that inequity.”

While student trustees are elected in campus-wide elections on both SIU campuses, only one student member of the Board of Trustees has voting privileges in any given year. Although the voting privilege typically alternates between students, the governor does have the power to give either student the opportunity to vote. Stuart’s House Bill 2239, which passed out of the House Higher Education Committee on Wednesday, allows both student trustees to be voting members,  removing the ability of the governor to unfairly assign voting privileges to one student over the other.

“From my conversations with students at SIUe, I understand that having a voice on the Board of Trustees is important to them,” continued Stuart. “Students really have a stake in every decision that comes before the board, so it only makes sense that they should each have a vote that counts.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As a result of the changing financial needs of the Southern Illinois University system, state Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, and Monica Bristow, D-Godfrey, are calling upon the Board of Higher Education to explore whether the universities should seek independence.

“As a former instructor at the Edwardsville campus, I have seen Edwardsville outpace Carbondale’s campus while not receiving our full allotment of state resources under the funding plan for the SIU system,” said Stuart. “Asking an independent entity to assess the true necessities for both schools is not an unreasonable request, and we should explore that course of action.”

“While the SIU system has enjoyed great success over the years, it has become increasingly evident that independence between the two schools may be necessary to meet their unique financial situations,” Hoffman said. “We believe that the Board of Higher Education should lead an effort to evaluate the separation of the schools, given their financial differences and polarizing enrollment figures, to explore a new path forward.”

“The SIU system has been a leading institution for higher education in the Metro East area for many years, attracting students from all over the state, country, and even abroad” Greenwood said. “However, due to the disproportional growth between Carbondale and Edwardsville, it could be time to consider moving forward with a plan to allow the schools to operate independently, enabling them to better achieve their individual missions.”

“As a lifelong resident of the Riverbend region, I have seen firsthand the way that SIU Edwardsville has become a shining star in our state university system.  This campus continues to grow, while Carbondale has seen a decline in enrollment for years,” said Bristow.  “With equal student populations at both campuses, I think that it is valid to investigate the feasibility of separating the SIU system.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  – On Tuesday, State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, member of the Latino Caucus, spoke to students at the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s Latino Legislative Civic Education Day about the importance of commitment and collaboration in order to create good public policy.

“At a time of record breaking gridlock in both Washington and Springfield, it is important to talk to young people about the value of collaboration,” Hernandez said. “The Black-Brown coalition between myself and Representative Gordon-Booth is a powerful statement, a Latina legislator from Chicago and an African-American legislator from downstate, coming together to address injustices in our higher education system.”

Hernandez was the keynote speaker for Latino Legislative Civic Education Day, a day with the intent to encourage Latino students to apply for legislative internships. Hernandez used the opportunity to speak to students about the lessons she learned from her mother growing up, how they helped carry her all the way to Springfield, and how to this day they still play a role in the initiatives she pursues. She also spoke to students about the Student ACCESS bill, legislation that would extend financial aid eligibility to dreamers and drug offenders.

“My commitment to continue fighting for what is right has never wavered, especially now, when communities are being threatened and discriminated against,” Hernandez said. “I am so proud to see young people coming together to fight for a fair and inclusive future. Their passion motivates me, and I hope they know we need them. We need them to get involved in the political process and make their voices heard.”