Gilbert calls for resolution
VP for enrollment management urges lawmakers to end budget impasse
Trent Gilbert, Monmouth College’s vice president for enrollment management, will participate in a news conference at Western Illinois University on Feb. 19. The event is geared to show support for higher education and for the students it serves. It will also showcase the impact higher education institutions have on their respective communities.
As part of the Illinois Coalition to Invest in Higher Education, WIU will host the regional event in cooperation with its community college and private college partners, as well as with students and community and business leaders.
Illinois universities and colleges have gone eight months without a budget, which has affected MAP (Monetary Award Program) grants and operational funding. The coalition kicked off its push in January with a statehouse news conference. Local events are being held throughout the state this month to raise awareness of the funding crisis and to continue to build support for higher education.
“We’re hoping for some resolution in Springfield,” said Gilbert, who will speak on behalf of private colleges and how the impasse to higher education funding is affecting their students and colleges. “Because they have not passed a budget, they have not passed out MAP funding, so they are going back on their promise to fund higher education. This is about the students and the future brain power within the State of Illinois.”
MAP funding impacts more than 600 Monmouth College students and 125,000 college students statewide.
On Tuesday, Monmouth students joined hundreds from around the state to rally in Springfield and urge Gov. Rauner to sign legislation to fund MAP grants. Organized by the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges, the rally was held in the Howlett Building, and the students then headed to the Capitol Building to lobby legislators and Gov. Rauner.
As part of the Illinois Coalition to Invest in Higher Education, WIU will host the regional event in cooperation with its community college and private college partners, as well as with students and community and business leaders.
Illinois universities and colleges have gone eight months without a budget, which has affected MAP (Monetary Award Program) grants and operational funding. The coalition kicked off its push in January with a statehouse news conference. Local events are being held throughout the state this month to raise awareness of the funding crisis and to continue to build support for higher education.
“We’re hoping for some resolution in Springfield,” said Gilbert, who will speak on behalf of private colleges and how the impasse to higher education funding is affecting their students and colleges. “Because they have not passed a budget, they have not passed out MAP funding, so they are going back on their promise to fund higher education. This is about the students and the future brain power within the State of Illinois.”
MAP funding impacts more than 600 Monmouth College students and 125,000 college students statewide.
On Tuesday, Monmouth students joined hundreds from around the state to rally in Springfield and urge Gov. Rauner to sign legislation to fund MAP grants. Organized by the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges, the rally was held in the Howlett Building, and the students then headed to the Capitol Building to lobby legislators and Gov. Rauner.
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