A Nov. 4 panel hosted by The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability discussed the challenges facing Southern Illinois University, including reduced state funding, declining enrollment and technological changes.

SIU System President Dan Mahony, Executive Director of the CTBA Ralph Martire and former state representative and author Jim Nowlan debated what Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Director John Shaw called “the overall political and cultural moment,” highlighting declining public confidence in higher education.

Martire said higher education is under assault.

“Higher ed is under assault both politically and financially, and from the federal level all the way down to the state level,” Martire said. “At the federal level, you have attempts by the president’s administration to rein in certain initiatives that have been done by higher ed on (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).”

These initiatives addressed what Martire called “statistically meaningful underrepresentations.” According to SIU data from 2023, the six-year graduation rate of white students is approximately 63% on average. This is the highest when compared to approximately 58% for Asian students, 46% for mixed-race students, 45% for Latino students and 33% for Black students, on average.

Martire cited recent House proposals to cut nearly $300 million from campus-based aid programs, including Federal Work-Study and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, which can impact approximately 150,000 Illinois students, with 48,700 losing the grant entirely, while 106,000 having it reduced.

The maximum Pell Grant award was preserved at $7,395 for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the US Department of Education.

Martire and the CTBA are advocating for a new funding formula in Springfield based on the actual cost of educating a student rather than the current appropriations process.

Nowlan said the current funding model needs reform.

Martire said the funding level for higher education for fiscal year 2026, after being adjusted for inflation, will be about $2.3 billion, or 47% less than it was in the year 2000 under Republican Gov. George Homer Ryan Sr.

According to the report delivered from the former president of SIU’s system Ted Sanders during the Jul. 8, 1999, meeting, Illinois provided the SIU system with $218.7 million in fiscal year 2000. In fiscal year 2024, the state provided $222.7 million.

Despite the dollar amount remaining nominally the same over 24 years, the purchasing power has reduced by nearly half. According to a 2010 Simon Review by Professor John Jackson and Carol Bedar, the SIU system funding peaked at $249 million in fiscal year 2002 before declining.

“We’re devoting less in real dollars than we did in 2000,” Nowlan said. “The number of high school graduates will decline significantly, which is a grave concern.”

Panelists discussed the demographic cliff, a national projection that the number of high school graduates will begin declining around 2025.

“Between 2010 and 2023, nationally, full-time equivalent enrollment in public universities declined by 10%. In Illinois, it declined by 29%,” Martire said.

Mahony said the university is expanding recruitment beyond Illinois.

“We’re recruiting in Texas now,” Mahony said. He said many Illinois high school graduates view SIU as a backup school.

Mahony highlighted the Saluki Commitment program, which guarantees tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered for students from families earning less than $103,040 annually.

According to the 2024 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, the real median household income in Illinois in 2024 was approximately $83,211 

“It’s hard to get that message out,” Mahony said. “Some university employees don’t know that exists,” he said in relation to the program.

Mahony said the university currently offers 54 classes involving artificial intelligence. He said he opposes state-mandated AI competency requirements. One way he does so is by allowing students to use AI tools, but requires them to explain their process.

“Tell me why you changed what it gave you,” Mahony said.

On the other hand, Martire said over-reliance on generative AI could harm students’ analytical skills. He said using AI for research is acceptable, but using it to generate writing is not.

News reporter Trevor John can be reached at [email protected].

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