March 23, 2026
Register for discussion on transforming higher education funding
SIU Carbondale faculty, staff and students are invited to an in-depth conversation on Wednesday, April 1, on a proposed new data-driven formula to distribute state funding to public universities. The registration deadline for in-person or virtual attendance is Friday, March 27.
SIU System President Dan Mahony and the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding are hosting “The Time is Now: Equitably Funding our Universities,” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Student Center International Lounge. The program will begin at 4:45 p.m.
Hosted by the SIU Alumni Association and the coalition, the conversation will focus on the proposed Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act now before the Illinois General Assembly. The proposal will equitably transform the way Illinois appropriates dollars to universities, ensuring that public, four-year universities are able to serve their unique student populations and fulfill institutional missions. The discussion will feature expert higher education researchers, and the audience will have an opportunity to provide their thoughts on the legislation and equitable higher education funding in Illinois.
Passing and fully funding Senate Bill 13/House Bill 1581 is not only an investment to the SIU System, but also to local economies. Over the last 15 years, state support to Illinois’ public 4-year universities has been cut in half, prompting tuition and fee increases and exacerbating affordability issues for students. Full funding projections would provide SIU Carbondale with 7,407 additional graduates and a $19.7 million increase in local tax revenue annually; SIU Edwardsville would expect to produce 10,960 graduates with a potential annual tax contribution of $30.6 million.
For more information, contact Isabel Enad, senior community engagement associate at Advance Illinois, at ienad@advanceillinois.org.