Board of Trustees action items, May 8, 2026

The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University approved several resolutions at its regular quarterly meeting on May 8, 2026. Full text of the resolutions can be found on the Board of Trustees website.

Consent Agenda: All items listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and enacted in one motion. Details regarding Consent Agenda items are provided under Meeting Materials in the link above.

Academic Senate Proposal to Amend the Illinois State University Constitution

The Board approved a proposed amendment to the Illinois State University Constitution. The amendment updates language in several sections of the constitution and was voted unanimously on February 4, 2026, by the Academic Senate and approved by the president on February 12, 2026.

B.A. and B.S. in Film

Trustees authorized a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Film to be administered by the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film. The curriculum will replace the existing Film and Digital Media sequence within the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Theatre, which was established in 2020. Enrollment has increased from 11 students in Fall 2020 to approximately 124 students in Fall 2025. It is expected to reach 150 students, with an estimated 35 degrees awarded annually, once fully implemented and allow students to pursue concentrations in production, screenwriting, or film studies. The change is in response to student demand, disciplinary norms, and the competitive landscape for both student recruitment and graduate placement.

Comprehensive Campus Master Plan

Trustees approved a $1.5 million project that will complete a comprehensive campus master plan by allowing the selection of an expert architect and planning firm to complete this work. The Campus Master Plan will develop a framework and roadmap for decision making. The plan will be aligned with the University's strategic plan to consider the future capital development, programmatic expansion, campus revitalization, and strategic growth opportunity of the Illinois State campus, while evaluating its 177 buildings and 6.8 million gross square feet that cover more than 1,180 acres.

Upgrade Center for Performing Arts' Audio and Lighting Systems

Following a withdrawal of a previously awarded bid, Trustees voted to rescind Resolution No. 2026.02/10 and proceed Weber Electric as the next lowest responsible
bidder for construction activities necessary to upgrade the Center for Performing Arts' sound, lighting, and public address systems. The budget for the new contract is $4.4 million, allowing for the timely completion to support academic programming and performance schedules. Construction is set to begin in the Concert Hall in May 2026, with substantial completion required by September 2026.

Demolition 300 North Street

The Board approved the demolition of the former medical/dental office at the corner of North Street and Fell Avenue, 300 North Street, also known as the Center for Civic Engagement. The facility continues to deteriorate, requiring increased maintenance and attention. Due to failing mechanical systems, the Center for Civic Engagement was relocated in 2025 with plans to move to a more central location on campus. Once the building is demolished, the land will be utilized to complete a new Science Complex to include a new STEM Building, Science Laboratory Building Annex (SLB-A), and Research and Teaching Greenhouse Facilities.

Design and Construction Services for STEM Building, Science Laboratory Building Annex (SLB-A), and Research and Teaching Greenhouse Facilities

Through three separate resolutions, the Board approved design and construction services for a new 5-story, 49,950 square foot STEM building (9,900 SF per floor), a 3-story 24,810 square foot building addition (8,270 SF per floor) to the existing Science Laboratory Building, and an on-grade 11,850 square foot divided research and teaching greenhouse. The STEM building is budgeted for $49,549,751 and designed to have eight (8) teaching Science Labs, (8) recitation rooms, and (2) large instructional classrooms. The SLB-A is budgeted for $27,401,173 and designed to include four (4) teaching laboratories, four (4) recitation rooms, six (6) research laboratories, and six (6) research offices. The Research and Teaching Greenhouse Facilities is budgeted for $7,118,639 and includes the cost of the demolition of 300 North Street (former Center for Civic Engagement building). The STEM building will use Illinois Capital Development Board allocated funding for a majority of the cost, with each project using the Academic Enhancement Fee (AEF) revenue to pay remaining associated debt service.

Recognition of Student Trustee Ryan Russell

The Board of Trustees expressed their appreciation for the service of outgoing Student Trustee Ryan Russell. Russell served in the position for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years.