UIS NorthStar Initiative

NorthStar is our guide to operationalizing the UIS Strategic Compass through the reshaping of our university for operational efficiency and academic excellence to ensure long-term sustainability and relevance.

UIS seeks to be a resilient, adaptable and market-aligned academic institution. To achieve this, we must maintain our student-centered approach and focus on action items that will position UIS to be fiscally sustainable, market-relevant and growth-minded.

UIS' Three NorthStar Priorities for Academic Year 2024-25

Priority 1- Academic Portfolio Review & Prioritization: Conduct an academic portfolio review to ensure all programs are on a sustainable path to meet IBHE enrollment and completion standards.

• Timeframe: Complete review by end of Spring 2025 semester.
• Additional information: Academic Portfolio Review Task Force

Priority 2- Deficit Reduction: Achieve an annual budget balance of zero by 2029.

• Hiring Freeze: In place as of September 2024. All requested positions and salary increases must first be reviewed by the Strategic Staffing Committee, comprised of the chancellor and vice chancellors.
• Mid-cycle budget cuts: Proposals for 2-, 3- and 4-percent cuts were due to iVCFA Ken Kriz by Nov. 1. Hearings took place in November with the University Budget and Planning Committee.
• Second-half Fall 2024 enrollment push: This effort proved successful with a 4.56 increase in credit hours as compared to Fall 2023. Our next effort will focus on winter intercession.
• Voluntary Separation Plan: This initiative is currently under review and will be shared in early 2025.
• Other initiatives: Developing a strategy for use and distribution of the remaining Strategic Investment Fund dollars (approximately $1.1 million); exploring funding model changes in areas that generate non-state dollars; a space utilization study; and continued reviews of our scholarship distribution.

Priority 3- Student Retention: Improve student persistence, reduce dropout rates and increase graduate rates.

• Eliminate barriers to persistence
• Continue focus on high-impact practices

Feedback and Questions

Have questions, concerns or ideas? Share them via the NorthStar Strategic Priorities Feedback Form. Submitted questions may be used to develop an FAQ in the future.

Have a success story to share related to one of our three NorthStar priorities? Send it to chancellor@uis.edu.

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