Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 585]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1996]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

573

environment(s), even as early as the first year, by participating in College of Medicine curriculum. 3. The high level of debt usually incurred by medical students in order to attend medical school is often considered against the potential income of a physician. However, should a student become disabled, the ability to repay the loans would be threatened, and the student's opportunity to find an alternate career which would provide comparable income could be jeopardized. While there are limits to the coverage, having something in place would help offset some of the debt during periods of disability. A student referendum on this issue was held in December 1995 for all College of Medicine students in Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, and Urbana-Champaign. Of the 1,349 students who were eligible to participate in the referendum, 293 total ballots were returned. Two hundred and twelve "y e s " responses and 81 "no" responses were filed (over 70 percent affirmative). Competitive bidding procedures in accordance with the Illinois Purchasing Act were followed. Allianz submitted the lowest and best bid, meeting the requirements of the student disability insurance program. The cost for the disability insurance will be mandatory to all medical students and will include a rider for HIV infection. For M-l and M-2 students, the cost will be $70.20 per year, and for all other medical students the cost will be $87.76 per year. The HIV rider option provides a monthly disability benefit if a student tests positive for HIV after an occupational exposure. The policy provides a $1,500 monthly total disability benefit for medical students in their first and second year; and a $2,000 monthly total disability benefit for students in their third year and over. The definition of disability ensures that the student receive a benefit if unable to manage all of the material and perform a substantial amount of the duties of a full-time matriculating medical student during the first 24 months of their disability. Further, the benefit will continue after 24 months if the student is unable to perform with reasonable continuity any other occupation. The vice presidents for academic affairs and business and finance concur. I recommend approval.

On motion of Ms. Reese, this recommendation was approved.

Deletion of the Undergraduate Curriculum and B.S. Degree in Occupational and Practical Arts Education, College of Education, Urbana

(14) The chancellor at Urbana, upon the recommendation of the Urbana-Champaign Senate, has approved a proposal from the College of Education to eliminate the undergraduate curriculum and B.S. degree in Occupational and Practical Arts Education. There are two reasons for the decision to terminate this degree. First, the department no longer has the staffing capabilities to recruit students and develop, teach, and supervise the courses required for this program. Second, low enrollments in recent years no longer justify special classes for this degree option. To accommodate the nine students currently enrolled in this program (all of whom are expected to graduate by May 1997), it is recommended that this degree program be terminated by May 1998. The vice president for academic affairs concurs with this recommendation. The University Senates Conference has indicated that no further senate jurisdiction is involved. I recommend approval.

On motion of Ms. Reese, this recommendation was approved.