Roosevelt University will again try to kill NIU’s $5 million Hoffman Estates branch campus through the legislature.

But NIU officials are not in the least bit worried.

The Northern Star obtained a memo Thursday written by Roosevelt President Theodore Gross, calling for statewide action against the Hoffman Estates venture. The Feb. 8 memo only was given to Roosevelt faculty and staff.

A resolution to delay all public and private university off-campus capital construction projects until Gov. Jim Edgar and legislators can review them will be reintroduced in the spring, the memo stated. The resolution failed in the Senate in November.

Gross’ plan to fight it out in the legislature is not new. When the project was announced in September, officials from colleges already operating in the area were steamed, including Roosevelt’s Robin campus in Arlington Heights.

Roosevelt and others criticized NIU for keeping its plans a secret while negotiating with Sears Roebuck and Co. and Hoffman Estates. Sears will donate the building and Hoffman Estates will kick in three acres of land and utility hookups.

Gross’ memo outlines grievances he and others have with NIU and its branch. The charges include:

‘Roosevelt and 29 other public and private universities offer programs in the area to 10,000 students.

‘NIU programs would directly overlap with Roosevelt’s, and nearly 800 of the 2,400 students attending the Roosevelt branch live near NIU’s branch.

‘Studies by the College Board and the Illinois Board of Higher Education show no need for another off-campus site.

‘NIU’s expense claims are unrealistic. Gross estimates the campus will cost at least $10 million to build and about $6 million to operate each year. NIU says $5 million and $800,000.

‘The branch means less funds for other state universities and necessitates a tax increase or continuation of the surcharge beyond June 30th.

‘The project shows the IBHE’s poorly coordinated attempts in providing cost-effective state university programs.

‘The IBHE lacks a regulating policy for building off-campus sites.

‘It is unfair for public and private universities to compete when Roosevelt students pay 83 percent of their educational

Hosts and NIU students only pay 43 percent.

‘The state needs to develop a master plan that will include cost-effective alternatives to projects like this.

Tom Montiegel, vice president for development and university relations, said he is not at all surprised by Roosevelt’s battle plans.

“Of course we think they’re wasting legislators’ time and taxpayers’ money, but if that’s what they want to do … .”

NIU is pushing the branch campus’ plans, but are not rushing on account of any threat from Roosevelt, Montiegel said. “We would be doing it anyway.” The campus should open in fall, 1992.

The branch’s plans are steadily proceeding, Montiegel said, adding any financial troubles Sears is having should not affect it.

“I don’t see (Sears) teetering on bankruptcy by any stretch of the imagination.”