• Learned that Illinois community colleges are now providing 74 percent of the headcount generated by the state's higher education system;
  
• Heard that the Illinois Community College Board will formally release its "Promise for Illinois" strategic plan later this month;
  
• Received an update on ICCTA's group health insurance pool for community colleges;
  
• Reminded trustees that ICCTA's federal legislative Fly-In is set for February 6 - 8 in Washington, D.C.;
  
• Approved the adoption of ICCTA's legislative goals for 2001;
  
• Adopted two resolutions that 1) call upon ICCB to study the adequacy of occupational program funding for Illinois community colleges, and 2); commend the Illinois Board of Higher Education for its efforts to make high-demand baccalaureate programs available to place-bound community college graduates;
  
• Debated the issue of mandatory remediation for degree- or certificate-seeking students;
  
• Were informed of ICCB's new cultural diversity project for community college faculty;
  
• Discussed ways that trustees can facilitate campus diversity with Dr. Seymour Bryson of the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education;
  
• Heard that the ICCTA Trustee Education Committee is developing a project to determine what competencies are required of board members and how ICCTA can provide trustee-development activities in those skill areas;
  
• Received a report from the ICCTA Finance Committee that it will propose a budget increase of 1.6 percent for FY 2002. The ICCTA Board of Representatives will vote on the FY02 budget at its March meeting in Rosemont;
  
• Voted to support the IBHE's FY02 operating budget request for community colleges. Gov. George Ryan will announce his FY02 budget recommendations on February 21;
  
• Learned that representatives of ICCTA, ICCB, the Illinois Presidents Council, the Illinois Education Association, and the Illinois Federation of Teachers met in Springfield to discuss issues of common concern;
  
• Heard that the Presidents Council are reviewing the process by which IBHE determines its capital-project priority list;
  
• Were informed that the Illinois Community College System Foundation is undergoing some restructuring in its board composition and focus; and
  
• Noted that Joliet Junior College – the nation's oldest community college – has begun celebrating its 100th anniversary. The U.S. Postal Service will issue a commemorative envelope to honor the community college movement in April.

The next ICCTA Board of Representatives meeting will take place on Saturday, March 10, 2001, at the Radisson O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont. For information, contact ICCTA at 1-800-454-2282.