NEWS RELEASE
Southern Illinois University September 12, 2002	Media Services Contact Scott Kaiser (618)536-3331	E-mail: skaiser@notes.siu.edu Fax: (618)536-3404

2020 Vision Committee presents recommendations;
 technology, financial aid, fundraising among keys

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Meeting the demands of the future is the guiding theme behind a set of forward-looking recommendations made today by a distinguished panel formed earlier this year by SIU President James E. Walker. Walker initiated the SIU 2020 Vision Committee to review the university's current status and give advice on how to best prepare for the challenges of the 21st century. Walker called for the creation of the committee in his address to the university last fall, A Shared Vision for Southern Illinois University.

The committee, chaired by former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, who currently heads the Public Policy Institute at SIUC, was composed of successful men and women in the fields of business, education and public policy from across the nation.

"I am grateful to this outstanding group of people whose thoughtful discussions have given SIU a comprehensive set of recommendations that will help chart our course into the new century," Walker said. "I asked Senator Simon and the committee to draw on their significant experiences, taking a look at where the SIU campuses are now and where we should be going, and they have given us some great insight."

After an extensive review of SIU's assets and challenges, the committee focused its efforts on macro-level recommendations that are intended to position SIU for a successful future. Key among the recommendations are increased fundraising and marketing efforts, especially to attract and retain high-quality students and faculty; expanded use of technology to serve more students; expanded emphasis on global education; and re-focused academic programs that reward excellence.

Highlights of the committee's recommendations suggest that SIU and its campuses should:

• Enhance efforts to secure financial aid for students so that no student should have to leave SIU for financial reasons only.
• Enrich the value added component of higher education by instituting "learning compacts" with students entering SIU so that students know what the university expects from them and what they can expect from SIU.
• Enhance excellence among faculty and staff by providing competitive faculty and staff salaries and implementing rigorous standards for retention, promotion and tenure.
• Initiate capital fundraising campaigns.
• Aggressively market SIU campuses.
• Build on "signature" academic programs that have a strong reputation for excellence and eliminate weak programs.
• Ensure that every degree program offers e-capability to students.
• Raise the level of global education through study abroad programs, increased international student populations at SIUC and SIUE, and the establishment of an International Center at SIUC.
• Limit enrollment at SIUE to approximately 13,000 students. SIUC should undertake a process to determine appropriate enrollment size and a proper mix of academic program offerings.

Committee Chair Paul Simon is pleased with the group's efforts.

"The members of this committee brought a wide range of experiences to the table, all with the goal of preparing SIU for the century ahead. We had rich discussions, and I believe these recommendations will help SIU better serve its students and the citizens of our region, nation and world," Simon said.

Committee member David G. Carter, president of Eastern Connecticut State University, says the committee did achieve its goal.

"I believe that the 2020 Vision Committee's report and recommendations chart a course for Southern Illinois University that, when realized, will place the university among the preeminent institutions of higher education," Carter said.

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, also a member of the committee, recognizes the need for universities to plan for the future.

"SIU has unique attributes that set it apart from other universities in Illinois and the nation," Edgar said. "Higher education is changing rapidly, and institutions that fail to plan for their future will fall behind. SIU should be commended for bringing together leaders from all walks of life to help shape plans for the university's future and ensure it is prepared to meet the needs of the people it serves."

Walker has directed the chancellors of SIUE and SIUC to incorporate the committee's recommendations into their campus planning processes and to report back to him on the status of implementation by September 2003.

The full report of the 2020 Vision Committee is available here.

Members of the Southern Illinois University 2020 Vision Committee

Mrs. Molly Corbett Broad, President, University of North Carolina
Dr. David G. Carter, President, Eastern Connecticut State University
Dr. Constantine "Deno" Curris, President, American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Dr. Robert C. Dickeson, Senior Vice President for Higher Education, Lumina Foundation for Education
Mr. John Dosier, President, First Southern Bank
Governor Jim Edgar, Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois
Mr. Ted Garcia, General Manager and CEO, KNME TV-5
Mr. Ray Griffith, Executive Vice President, Ace Hardware Corporation
Dr. Naomi Lynn, Chancellor Emerita, University of Illinois-Springfield
Mr. Paul W. Martin, Jr., Chief Managing Member, Clarity Resources, LLC
Mr. Brian McFadden, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor, City of Springfield
Dr. Yolanda Moses, President, American Association for Higher Education
Mr. Allan Ostar, President (Retired), American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Dr. Jack W. Peltason, President/Chancellor Emeritus, University of California at Irvine
Mr. Phil Pfeffer, President and CEO, Treemont Capital, Inc.
Dr. James M. Rosser, President, California State University at Los Angeles
Dr. Keith Sanders, Executive Director (Retired), Illinois Board of Higher Education
Mr. John Seigenthaler, Chairman, The Freedom Forum, Vanderbilt University
Dr. Kenneth A. Shaw, President and Chancellor, Syracuse University
The Honorable Paul Simon (Chair), Director, Public Policy Institute, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Dr. James E. Walker, (ex officio), President, Southern Illinois University
Dr. Walter V. Wendler (ex officio), Chancellor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Dr. David Werner (ex officio), Chancellor, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Mr. Ronald D. Winney, Treasurer (Retired), Ralston Purina