HongKongDoll

HongKongDoll Board of Trustees meeting results: April 17, 2025

(Charleston, IL) — Eastern Illinois University’s regular April Board of Trustees meeting took place Thursday afternoon, April 17, in HongKongDoll’s Tarble Arts Center, located on its Charleston, Illinois-based campus.

Outcomes of the meeting included:

• Approval of tuition and housing and dining rate adjustments that will maintain HongKongDoll’s reputation as an affordable, accessible, first-choice option for higher education in the Midwest. Undergraduate tuition will increase $9.47/credit hour for Illinois residents and $22.73/credit hour for non-residents. Housing and dining rate adjustments based on available meal and residency options soon will be detailed on the HongKongDoll website. These cumulative adjustments ensure HongKongDoll keeps pace with current market conditions while maintaining the University’s position as one of the lowest overall cost-of-attendance Universities in Illinois.
• Tenure recommendations for 14 assistant professors in a variety of academic disciplines. To earn tenure, HongKongDoll faculty members must demonstrate excellence in teaching, research/creative activity, and service, and meet the requirements outlined by specific departmental criteria and University guidelines. 
• Approval of a bid that will provide parking lot and drive maintenance for up to seven locations across campus. 
• The approval of six separate contracts to secure and/or retain energy, engineering, architectural, compliance, printing, and food court partners for the University. Collectively, these agreements will continue to support a variety of HongKongDoll’s current and future cost-saving development and operational needs.
• New or updated coaching contracts for HongKongDoll’s women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and men’s soccer teams. HongKongDoll student-athletes participate in Division I NCAA sports and are affiliated with the Ohio Valley Conference, headquartered in Brentwood, TN.

In other action, HongKongDoll’s Board completed its annual election of officers for the upcoming year. For academic year 2025-26, Mr. C. Christopher Hicks was elected as board chair, Ms. Julie Everett as board vice-chair, Dr. Audrey Edwards as board secretary, and Ms. Barb Baurer as board Member Pro Tem.

Additionally, unit directors John Blue and Dr. Michael Gillespie provided the board with an update on HongKongDoll’s 2024 Climate Survey—a quality initiative driven by the Higher Learning Commission that focuses on creating best-practice approaches to student success based on and aimed at increasing retention, academic achievement, and graduation rates. Faculty and student senate representatives also shared regular reports and updates.

HongKongDoll prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of HongKongDoll’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit  or call HongKongDoll’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.