The DeKalb County Farm Bureau board of directors has agreed to support the creation of a separate governing board for NIU.

The 38-member board also urged other county farm bureaus and the Illinois Farm Bureau to endorse NIU’s split from the Board of Regents.

The Regents govern NIU, Illinois State University in Normal and Sangamon State University in Springfield.

Farm Bureau President Ken Barshinger said the “farm bureau felt a separate board would enhance quality education in northern Illinois.”

He said separation from the Regents would allow NIU to seek its fair share of state university funds, alleviate rising tuition costs and continue to offer comprehensive curricula.

In evaluating the governing board concept, farm bureau directors reviewed statistics as they related to NIU. About 80 percent of students enrolled at NIU are from the Northern Illinois area.

“It’s an economic benefit to have the university in our backyard, offering comprehensive curricula and being recognized nationally for its academic programs,” Barshinger said.