LOMBARD—NIU’s branch campus in Hoffman States leaped one hurdle but it is still far from a done deal.

At Tuesday’s Illinois Board of Higher Education meeting, IBHE Executive Director Richard Wagner said all legislative bills proposed as opposition to the campus have been “killed.”

However, there is discrepancy as to the discussions by NIU President John La Tourette, Roosevelt University President Theodore Gross, and Board of Regents members.

David Lansing, dean of administration at Roosevelt, said La Tourette, Gross, and Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves were negotiating program limitations in the area. “We think we’ve worked out an arrangement,” Lansing said.

But La Tourette said, “I wouldn’t call them negotiations.” He said Groves gave no positive suggestions as to resolving the conflict.

Roosevelt officials have objected to the branch campus for about a year because they were afraid NIU would duplicate classes they already offered in the area.

“In my opinion, there is more demand in terms of higher education than is being met,” La Tourette said. He also said he does not see any conflict for consolidation.

Springfield representatives for each side of the conflict met to discuss a way for the universities to cooperate after the meeting with Groves and Gross, but nothing concrete resulted, he said.

“We’re willing to discuss providing more education with all institutions in the area,” La Tourette said.

Lansing said the two universities’ provosts will be meeting to discuss possibilities for the branch campus soon.

The bills in the General Assembly that would have delayed the project were either tabled or left in committees.

Wagner admitted the bills might come up again because the legislature is still in session, but more than likely, they would not. The legislative session should have ended June 30, but debates about the income tax surcharge and property taxes have stalled the session.