Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1992 [PAGE 246]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[May 14

RICHARD J. KASSNER, professor of chemistry

MATTHEW R. LIPPMAN, associate professor of criminal justice ALEXANDER P. MACGREGOR, associate professor of classics STERLING D. PLUMPP, associate professor of African-American studies and of English JACK H. PROST, associate professor and chair of anthropology SIDNEY K. ROBINSON, associate professor of architecture THOMAS P. SATTLER, associate professor of kinesiology SAUNDRA L. THEIS, assistant professor of medical-surgical nursing The vice president for academic affairs recommends approval. I concur.

On motion of Mr. Boyle, these recommendations were approved.

Amend Refund Policy for Student Tuition, Fees, Room, and Board

(9) One of the provisions mandated by Congress in the Higher Education Reauthorization Act of 1992 was a requirement that universities implement a pro-rata refund policy for students receiving Federal financial assistance under Title IV programs. The law applies to students attending the University for the first time and is effective for the 1992-93 academic year. Regulations to clarify certain aspects of the law have not yet been published by the Department of Education. The Title IV assistance pro-rata refund policy applies to students attending an institution for the first time and requires a refund of not less than that portion of the tuition, fees, room, and board, and other charges assessed the student proportional to the academic period remaining in the semester on the date the student withdraws from the University. No refund is required after 60 percent of the semester is reached (for the University of Illinois this would be after completing the tenth week of the sixteen-week semester). Institutions are permitted to charge the student an administrative fee equal to 5 percent of the amount assessed the student or $100, whichever is less. Before a refund is made to the student, the institution must make refund to any Title IV program providing assistance to the student. Any amount remaining after refund to the Title IV programs is paid to the student. Board of Trustee action of May 17, 1972, specified that effective with the Fall 1972 term and thereafter, a full refund minus the nonrefundable charge, be continued for students who withdraw during the first ten days of instruction. No refunds were to be made thereafter, except in the case of withdrawal for active service in the Armed Forces or other approved National Defense Service. A University-wide committee has reviewed the requirements of the law, current University policy, and the law's impact, and has identified issues which require resolution. The committee's recommendations and possible application of the Title IV pro-rata refund policy for all other University students are being reviewed by the administration; and a recommendation for the academic year beginning Fall 1993 will be presented at a later date. As an interim measure, it is recommended that, effective with the Fall 1992 term, the University's refund policy be amended to reflect the pro-rata refund requirement as described above for students attending the University for the first time and receiving Title IV assistance. The vice presidents for academic affairs and business and finance concur with the recommendation. I recommend approval.

On motion of Mr. Boyle, this recommendation was approved.