My read is the WAC is simply going to let the Chicago State contract expire. It's the easiest path.

Chicago State's (interim) President (who by the way is not an academic, rather something of an activist/promoter) "disputes" the $2.8m budget figure the NYT gave. But of course he offers no evidence. Knowing the NYT, they did some research, probably got those numbers from a WAC official and confirmed them off the record with a CSU athletic department figure. The alternate fact approach of CSU leadership is paralleled in the declining enrollment, where Mr. Lucy (weird to not be able to say Dr. Lucy when speaking of a school President) simply ordered the weekly attendance reports no longer be announced in the weekly faculty status (or any status) meetings or reports (what exactly is the attendance office reporting weekly?). I am inclined to believe the leaked numbers for both attendance and athletic funding, as these are coming from more credible sources. I have to put Mr. Lucy and the Administration of Chicago State in the same category as Mr. Trump and his administration -- believe nothing until confirmed by independent sources and leaks.

I don't think the budget resolution, which actually has some hope, will make any difference in CSU athletics. The decision to return in 2017-18 will likely come from the new Board and not the Administration. They really have three choices:

1. run out the WAC contract and decide next year what to do in 2018-19 onward
2. shut down athletics after the season and redirect the $2.8m into the school
3. drop down to D-II or NAIA on the same budget (can go down to 10 teams - no need for track)

The NYT reporter found Ms. Jackson to be a hard working dedicated and good person. The staff at CSU includes many such people, For them this situation is terribly unfair. D-I is unfair for them.

Note: Chicago State has at most 3,000 students, and a large percentage are non traditional, with an average age of 31. This is not a typical 18-24 year old full campus with HS enthusiasm for sports. A turnaround in attendance will take several years, and start with further declines -- I see the best case stabilization number around 2,000-2,500, which would hold for at least a few years before slowly climbing up again. The demand for higher education is declining in Illinois, which is a demographic trend (older population), and total University enrollment across the State has been declining. There is no giant pool of untapped qualified students to suddenly fill Chicago State. Athletics needs to be in line with this reality.

2nd Note: The school would be wise to lease the JCC to an outside management group (perhaps the city), simply reserving the rights to use it a few times a year, such as convocation. Rather than be a money drain, it could be a revenue source (likely the management would pay to have your maintenance department do the routine work there you are currently paying for) . Use the old gym (refurbish it if need be) for games.