NIU presented eight academic improvement priorities at a Board of Regents committee meeting Wednesday.

NIU representatives on the committee presented “eight broad planning priorities” for 1988 through 1993 to the Regents’ academic committee. These plans will be recommended at the Board of Regents’ general meeting Thursday.

NIU’s eight proposed plans to the Regents’ Academic Affairs Committee include management of undergraduate education, graduate programs and faculty research, off-campus programs, undergraduate program maintenance and development, minority access, affirmative action and integration of campus initiatives and faculty morale, the Regents’ report stated.

NIU Provost Kendall Baker said one of the most important priorities for NIU is improving faculty morale. He said improving the quality of employment and increasing salaries are some of the ways to improve faculty morale. He said NIU could lose valuable faculty members to other universities without improving morale.

Baker also said the off-campus programs in DuPage County and Rockford might be expanded in the future because they are doing well. He said NIU wants to “move forward” in off-campus programs by being part of a “multi-university” cooperation being operated at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

The Regents’ report stated NIU faces problems completing plans because of the lack of funding for higher education. “Underlying all these priorities is the institution’s recognition that because inadequate funding reduces its ability to achieve its mission, a more favorable support base must be sought,” the report stated.

Gov. James Thompson has recommended that Illinois higher education not receive any funding increases for fiscal 1989 without an income tax increase this year.

Representatives from Regents’ schools Sangamon State University and Illinois State University also presented academic improvement priorities to the committee.

ISU Provost David Strand said ISU’s academic planning this year has gone smoothly, but the lack of state funding has hurt some plans. “We are frustrated with the budget,” Strand said.

ISU submitted plans to the committee to establish specialized research teams and manage the university’s enrollment, Strand said.

The report stated ISU plans to enhance specialized research in gerontology, the study of the aging process.

Strand said ISU also wants to begin planning a doctorate degree in math education and a Master’s degree in agri-business.

Michael Ayers, SSU vice president of academic affairs, said a number of elements in SSU’s plans were delayed because of the lack of funding. Ayers said the plans submitted to the committee Wednesday were the same plans submitted in 1985.

The Regents’ report stated SSU’s plans include addressing the need for excellence in graduate and undergraduate degree programs, increasing the number and diversity of students, maintaining institutional quality, and responding to changes in students’ educational markets and social needs.