The Illinois Board of Higher Education will review a proposal Friday for new units of instruction, organized research and public service.

The board will review recommendations from public universities for nine new units of instruction. Of the nine, NIU requested approval for a bachelor of fine arts in the theater arts department. This degree has emphases on design and technology, acting and theater education.

The program, into which 98 students are expected to enroll, is designed to teach careers related to live theater, entertainment media and education.

Students will be expected to complete 120 semester credit hours, including 81 hours within the department and 40 hours which teaches fundamental knowledge in theater.

Implementation of the program will not require additional state funds. Rather, the Department of Theater Arts will re-allocate existing resources.

The nine academic units recommended for approval include two bachelor’s degree programs at two universities, one master’s degree program at one university, one doctoral degree program at one university, and five off-campus degree programs at three universities.

In other matters, the IBHE will present recommendations for the final allocation of fiscal year 1988 grant funds under the Higher Education Cooperation Act.

These funds are appropriated in inter-institution and regional academic centers, minority educational achievements, Quad-cities Graduate Study Center, and library resource sharing.

The Board of Governors and the Board of Regents want the IBHE to approve non-instructional capitol improvements.

In addition, the meeting will cover information concerning the status of minority participation in selected programs and a report on a FY ‘87 student financial aid survey.