Board of Trustees action items, January 25, 2024
The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University approved a number of resolutions at a special meeting on January 25, 2024. Full text of those resolutions can be found on the Board of Trustees website.
Watterson Towers Fire Separation Remediation
The Board of Trustees authorized a capital project to design remedial measures and undertake construction to restore code required fire protection in Watterson Towers at a cost not to exceed $17.5 million. The funding for the project will be provided by AFS System Housing Resources and includes a phased construction schedule approach to cause the least disruption to students and University Housing Services operations. The plan involves starting non-occupant affecting work in the spring 2024 and major occupant affecting work during the summer of 2024 and 2025.
Expanded Williams Hall Former Stack Space Renovations
Trustees approved expenditures not to exceed an additional $1.75 million for all pre-construction services necessary to lead to the rehabilitation and renovations of the former stack space at Williams Hall. University administration will establish a budget, and appoint architects, engineers and other necessary project consultants for needed services. Funding for the project is through general revenue resources.
Governing Document Amendment—Pricing Guidelines
Trustees voted to amend the Board of Trustees Governing Document to reflect a new guideline for price setting. The second bullet in the price setting section now includes an option for Trustees to approve differential tuition.
Student Tuition Rates and Differential Tuition Rates for Targeted Academic Programs set for 2024-2025
Trustees approved the FY2025 general student tuition rates and differential tuition rates for targeted academic programs. The cost of classroom and laboratory instruction by major and program was reviewed by the University, analyzing the supporting enrollment strength of each. Certain majors and programs will be priced at a per credit hour rate higher than the base tuition charged to the general student body, while the rate of base tuition for other majors and programs will not increase in FY2025.
Latest Media Relations
- Illinois State University launches new artificial intelligence lab for health research initiative with funding from National Institutes of HealthIllinois State University has launched an interdisciplinary PAIR project made possible through funding from the National Institutes of Health’s AIM-AHEAD PAIR seed program. The project is a collaboration between Illinois State’s School of Information Technology and Mennonite College of Nursing to use AI for early detection of Atrial Fibrillation.
- Historian and Author Doris Kearns Goodwin to speak at Stevenson Lecture Series, October 6Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will speak at the Adlai E. Stevenson Memorial Lecture Series, co-hosted by Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University on Monday, October 6.
- Campus Safety Quick-Build Projects Are Now Live—Share Your Experience!Quick-build projects have launched across campus and Uptown Normal, testing the safety solutions the campus community suggested through a spring survey.
- Illinois State University continues strategic enrollment growthIllinois State University’s total enrollment for the fall 2025 semester is 21,994, an increase of 448 students (2.1%) over last year’s record enrollment. Official enrollment figures were finalized following the tenth day of classes held on Friday, August 29, 2025.
- President Tarhule: Get involved on campus and in the communityIt’s my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025-26 academic year at Illinois State!
- Remembering the Life of Trustee Emeritus William “Bill” SulaskiIllinois State University Trustee Emeritus Bill Sulaski, who also served as the first chair and inaugural member of the Board of Trustees, died on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. He was 85.
