Though an NIU satellite campus was added to Rockford almost six years ago, the city still lacks a four-year public college.

The idea of incorporating this type of school in Rockford to bring in additional funding was raised in a Jan. 28 Rockford Register-Star editorial. Currently, Rockford’s only public college is Rock Valley Community College, a two-year school. And NIU officials are aware of the situation.

“Rockford has always wanted more of a four-year public institution,” NIU President John Peters said.

NIU helped to broaden public courses by opening its second satellite location, NIU-Rockford, on Aug. 28, 1995. Located on the far east side of the city, five degree programs are offered there, including a masters of business and administration and a masters of education.

Although the primary goal of the campus was to help working adults further their educations with night classes, some NIU students who came from Rockford said having a four-year college there could help the city deal with its financial struggles.

“I think it’d be a good idea because maybe it’d bring in some more money for Rockford,” freshman psychology major Erin Engstrom said.

Rockford mayoral candidate Larry Morrissey has focused on education in his campaign, and has been very outspoken about the idea of a four-year school in the city.

“What Rockford needs to be realistic about is that we could possibly obtain a four-year university, but we should also work with the colleges we already have,” Morrissey said. “Perhaps we could expand on the courses offered there to give students more opportunities.”

Amy Fritz, a freshman music major at Rock Valley, said another benefit would be location.

“I could keep my full-time job and not worry about having to transfer anywhere after the first two years,” she said.

Engstrom agreed, saying that if Rockford had that type of school, she would have attended there instead of DeKalb because of convenience.

“My friends and family are there,” she said. “It’s closer, and maybe it would have been cheaper.”

Rena Cotsones, NIU’s executive director of community relations, said NIU is part of the Rockford-area “Council of 100,” which is launching a “vision project” focusing on higher education in the city.

“We are very interested from the university’s standpoint at helping Rockford with continuing education,” she said.

Peters said though having a four-year public college in Rockford would help bring in more money, getting there is something that needs to be approached with caution. NIU-Rockford director Greg Petty agreed.

“It would be great for Rockford to have a public campus up here, but I don’t think anyone has done the research to see how much it will all cost,” Petty said.

Cotsones said NIU-Rockford has given Rockford students more options. They don’t necessarily have to transfer to NIU after finishing two years at RVC to get their degree.

“It has really brought more graduate opportunities to students,” she said.

Morrissey suggested bringing in additional majors to NIU-Rockford.