Just added Eastern to the first post, double digit decline. They are really struggling down to 7K. It makes you wonder how long some of these schools can ride the storm out with no realistic end in sight to the state budget issues.

(09-07-2016 09:45 PM)HuskieAlumnus03 Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 07:46 PM)HuskiesCHI27 Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 06:07 PM)HuskieAlumnus03 Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 05:59 PM)NIU32 Wrote:  It's been mentioned before, but like it or not, it's the Chance program and its been slowly killing the reputation of NIU for decades. It's been over 10 years since I've been there and I saw some messed up stuff at school that I never saw at other colleges I visited. A lot of kids genuinely feel unsafe. I had multiple friends mugged and robbed on campus and it's a shame bc I love NIU and I hate to see how's it's gotten on campus and it's reputation locally.

It's just the way the program is run. I'm all for giving kids an opportunity to goto college, but there should be some type of interview or screening program first to at least make sure the kids involved in the program are serious about going to school and getting an education. A lot of the kids on the program's never made it a semester and it just kept recycling kids left and right and bringing in friends and trouble from the city. The program is broken. If the Chance program was run differently or sent to EIU or WIU I have no doubts DeKalb and NIU would feel like a totally different place.


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The ignorance about CHANCE program is ridiculous. In order to be one of the 500 students accepted into CHANCE, you have to have recommendations letters, a personal statement, a personal interview from an NIU admin, and take placement tests to show they are motivated and prepared to be in college. Decisions are based on the holistic view of a person rather than a college application and test scores, again around 500 of the many thousands that are referred to the program. Then they are required to go through a full year of counseling and only take 13 credit hours. All things that most students that get into NIU don't have to do. To say it's CHANCE kids is a bit absurd.

In 2016, and you're still afraid of going to school with black people, you might be a racist. Simple as that.

Let me tell you something chief; I am quite familiar with the program and you are right in everything you have said. However, of the 500 they pick, they choose the wrong students. As someone who has closely worked with the program the choices they make are very poor. Very few make it out of the first year. The kids with the best letters and grades don't get in. The program is based on getting troubled kids who have a past a second chance at life. You want more proof? Do me a favor and find someone who works at the Geneva Youth Correctional facility. They'll tell you the truth about the chance program.


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Yeah... I'll get right on that, "Chief"! Lmao, where did you come from, are you Chaz2b?

My wife works in higher ed. and her last job was first year experiences for a program similar to NIU's CHANCE at SIUC. Also a very close friend of ours is currently an admissions counselor at NIU and guess what, came into NIU as an undergrad through CHANCE. If i wasn't concerned about anonymity, I would be more that happy to share that individuals story, which in a inspiring one, like many that made it through.

My response was to someone with an obvious ignorance about the program and calling the underlying racist viewpoint to the the topic.

Lmao good for your wife buddy. And your friend is one of a very small percentage. The percentage of those that don't make it is much higher. Not to mention their friends that come up and start problems. As a recent grad you probably are a little out of touch to what is going on and what it's like.


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(09-07-2016 09:58 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  Just added Eastern to the first post, double digit decline. They are really struggling down to 7K. It makes you wonder how long some of these schools can ride the storm out with no realistic end in sight to the state budget issues.

Wow 7k for eiu and 10k for wiu. They really should just merge wiu and niu and eiu and siu.

i would love to see what UIUC numbers as well as local community college numbers are. remember what tyype of student NIU tended to bring in....suitcase and 'first in the family'. i would not be surprised if a good number of traditonally NIU type students are now choosing to start college in community college

(09-08-2016 06:38 AM)huskiealum03 Wrote:  i would love to see what UIUC numbers as well as local community college numbers are. remember what tyype of student NIU tended to bring in....suitcase and 'first in the family'. i would not be surprised if a good number of traditonally NIU type students are now choosing to start college in community college

If I'm not mistaken, UIUC enrollments started coming back up last year, after several years on decline. When I was in grad school there was when declines were happening and there were major controversies of the university accepting kids that would not have been accepted otherwise, because they were relatives of Illinois officials. The once prestigious college of law took a HUGE hit. The last president Robert Easter, did a great job cleaning it up and the new president seems legit. This is after the year of multiple embarrassing events last year, from racism/abuse allegations, multiple firings of coaches, AD, provost, and chancellor (which they still don't have). Look at the exponential growth of formerly commuter schools (formerly w/o dorms) like SIU-Edwardsville and UI-Springfield), and Ill State boasting the largest enrollments in their history. PS last year was the first year (i believe) that NIU wasn't the most expensive public school under UIUC by just tuition. Tuition AND fees, NIU is the second most expensive and on $750 cheaper than UIUC.... (not hard to see how students can steer away from NIU, right)

(09-08-2016 06:38 AM)huskiealum03 Wrote:  i would love to see what UIUC numbers as well as local community college numbers are. remember what tyype of student NIU tended to bring in....suitcase and 'first in the family'. i would not be surprised if a good number of traditonally NIU type students are now choosing to start college in community college

Only about 15% of the students that start an Associate of Arts or Science degree at a junior college complete the two year program.

The roll of the JCs have changed over the last 30 years from a feeder program for universities to a variety of vocational one year or certificate programs. The vast majority of students(older) are enrolled in these programs.

Most JCs have also dropped their football program. The programs were to expensive to run and be subsidized by the schools(student fees).

(09-07-2016 07:56 PM)JB04 Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 07:27 PM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 07:21 PM)JB04 Wrote:  its not the chance program. It has always been in existence even when enrollment was 25k plus. The reality is we have A LOT of rental properties around campus, and as enrollment dipped (with the rest of IL state schools), those apartments were rented to non students which brought many low income people in the neighborhood. Not that it's a terrible thing, but college kids would rather be around a bunch of other college kids, not mixed in with low income housing and families. Therefore cute little blonde suburban girl wants to go to ISU where all of the other upper middle class B+ students go.

I have lived in the area most of my life life and I am stunned how many kids are running around the very same apartment complexes I used to throw a keg party at.

Therefore, the combination of ISU somehow being the new hot place for white suburban kids to go, coupled with low cost of tuition at out of state schools, and then add a bit smaller number of high school students....its a bad self eating situation. Good luck Dr Baker

I think you definitely hit the nail on the head. Those property owners are going to rent out those units, regardless if they are student demand or not.

Thanks! To further prove my point the DeKalb police dept is doing everything in their power to try to make landlords liable by implementing a mandatory program for property owners...but there Is only so much they can do. If you want to be extreme, but solve the problem, instead of building new dorms they should have purchased and knocked down blighted rental properties. UIC did it.

hmmmm. Pretty darn good idea!
Any actual consideration given to this?

(09-08-2016 10:45 AM)HuskieAlumnus03 Wrote:  If I'm not mistaken, UIUC enrollments started coming back up last year, after several years on decline. When I was in grad school there was when declines were happening and there were major controversies of the university accepting kids that would not have been accepted otherwise, because they were relatives of Illinois officials. The once prestigious college of law took a HUGE hit. The last president Robert Easter, did a great job cleaning it up and the new president seems legit. This is after the year of multiple embarrassing events last year, from racism/abuse allegations, multiple firings of coaches, AD, provost, and chancellor (which they still don't have). Look at the exponential growth of formerly commuter schools (formerly w/o dorms) like SIU-Edwardsville and UI-Springfield), and Ill State boasting the largest enrollments in their history. PS last year was the first year (i believe) that NIU wasn't the most expensive public school under UIUC by just tuition. Tuition AND fees, NIU is the second most expensive and on $750 cheaper than UIUC.... (not hard to see how students can steer away from NIU, right)

UIUC's enrollment has been increasing at a small rate for a while, at least based on total Fall enrollment. The last time it shrank was from 2006 to 2007. Since then:
2007: 40,923
2008: 41,495
2009: 41,918
2010: 41,949
2011: 42,606
2012: 42,883
2013: 43,398
2014: 43,603
2015: 44,807

(09-08-2016 11:28 AM)chihuskie Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 07:56 PM)JB04 Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 07:27 PM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 07:21 PM)JB04 Wrote:  its not the chance program. It has always been in existence even when enrollment was 25k plus. The reality is we have A LOT of rental properties around campus, and as enrollment dipped (with the rest of IL state schools), those apartments were rented to non students which brought many low income people in the neighborhood. Not that it's a terrible thing, but college kids would rather be around a bunch of other college kids, not mixed in with low income housing and families. Therefore cute little blonde suburban girl wants to go to ISU where all of the other upper middle class B+ students go.

I have lived in the area most of my life life and I am stunned how many kids are running around the very same apartment complexes I used to throw a keg party at.

Therefore, the combination of ISU somehow being the new hot place for white suburban kids to go, coupled with low cost of tuition at out of state schools, and then add a bit smaller number of high school students....its a bad self eating situation. Good luck Dr Baker

I think you definitely hit the nail on the head. Those property owners are going to rent out those units, regardless if they are student demand or not.

Thanks! To further prove my point the DeKalb police dept is doing everything in their power to try to make landlords liable by implementing a mandatory program for property owners...but there Is only so much they can do. If you want to be extreme, but solve the problem, instead of building new dorms they should have purchased and knocked down blighted rental properties. UIC did it.

hmmmm. Pretty darn good idea!
Any actual consideration given to this?

No, my guess is because it would be perceived negatively, like you are trying to put people on the streets. IMO, the other option is to grow your way out of it, which is what Peters was trying to do. More college kids but same amount of rental units. Since that's not happening, the properties sit and slowly it looks like high density low income neighborhoods...which doesn't help attract the suburban female student base

(09-08-2016 12:49 PM)UIHuskie Wrote:  

(09-08-2016 10:45 AM)HuskieAlumnus03 Wrote:  If I'm not mistaken, UIUC enrollments started coming back up last year, after several years on decline. When I was in grad school there was when declines were happening and there were major controversies of the university accepting kids that would not have been accepted otherwise, because they were relatives of Illinois officials. The once prestigious college of law took a HUGE hit. The last president Robert Easter, did a great job cleaning it up and the new president seems legit. This is after the year of multiple embarrassing events last year, from racism/abuse allegations, multiple firings of coaches, AD, provost, and chancellor (which they still don't have). Look at the exponential growth of formerly commuter schools (formerly w/o dorms) like SIU-Edwardsville and UI-Springfield), and Ill State boasting the largest enrollments in their history. PS last year was the first year (i believe) that NIU wasn't the most expensive public school under UIUC by just tuition. Tuition AND fees, NIU is the second most expensive and on $750 cheaper than UIUC.... (not hard to see how students can steer away from NIU, right)

UIUC's enrollment has been increasing at a small rate for a while, at least based on total Fall enrollment. The last time it shrank was from 2006 to 2007. Since then:
2007: 40,923
2008: 41,495
2009: 41,918
2010: 41,949
2011: 42,606
2012: 42,883
2013: 43,398
2014: 43,603
2015: 44,807

In state student decline was a trend for quiet some time until last year, i believe.

Illinois' share of students at U. of I. continues to decline

Illinois' presence shrinks at U. of I.

I lived in DeKalb for 6 years: University Plaza from 2008-10 then to Suburban Apts. off Twombly from 2010-11, and finally Amber Manor off Ridge Dr. from 2011-14. Never liked the low/assisted income housing being sprinkled in among all the rental properties, couldn't wait to get out of there. Neighbors were often up at all times of night during the week being loud (as they obviously didn't have to be up for anything job/school related). I smelled weed constantly (all three places I lived), heard people threatening each other with knives through my wall (among various other domestic issues that abounded), and got pretty accustomed to watching the police come and go serving warrants or dealing with other matters. Not exactly the type of environment I'd feel comfortable sending my kid off to after having gone through it myself. Loved NIU itself and the education I received, but I feel like there's a garbage truck that travels back and forth from Chicago to DeKalb, dumping its "trash" off and gradually degrading the surrounding environment.

nm

(09-08-2016 02:09 PM)SiegInc Wrote:  I lived in DeKalb for 6 years: University Plaza from 2008-10 then to Suburban Apts. off Twombly from 2010-11, and finally Amber Manor off Ridge Dr. from 2011-14. Never liked the low/assisted income housing being sprinkled in among all the rental properties, couldn't wait to get out of there. Neighbors were often up at all times of night during the week being loud (as they obviously didn't have to be up for anything job/school related). I smelled weed constantly (all three places I lived), heard people threatening each other with knives through my wall (among various other domestic issues that abounded), and got pretty accustomed to watching the police come and go serving warrants or dealing with other matters. Not exactly the type of environment I'd feel comfortable sending my kid off to after having gone through it myself. Loved NIU itself and the education I received, but I feel like there's a garbage truck that travels back and forth from Chicago to DeKalb, dumping its "trash" off and gradually degrading the surrounding environment.

To supplement what you've stated, just read the crime/police reports every day in the Chronicle (as I do).

The scariest part about this is the decrease in Freshmen. That is any 4 year university's base. If that number consistently drops, it ain't going to be good in the long run. Perhaps Baker is in over his head.......

(09-08-2016 08:46 PM)Big_Man Wrote:  The scariest part about this is the decrease in Freshmen. That is any 4 year university's base. If that number consistently drops, it ain't going to be good in the long run. Perhaps Baker is in over his head.......

A huge part of the problem is students leaving the state. If Illinois is the second worst in the nation at retaining its own, the state needs to clean up its image first and foremost.

how would this enrollment decline affect any consideration of any type of conference realignment, in your opinion?

(09-08-2016 02:09 PM)SiegInc Wrote:  I lived in DeKalb for 6 years: University Plaza from 2008-10 then to Suburban Apts. off Twombly from 2010-11, and finally Amber Manor off Ridge Dr. from 2011-14. Never liked the low/assisted income housing being sprinkled in among all the rental properties, couldn't wait to get out of there. Neighbors were often up at all times of night during the week being loud (as they obviously didn't have to be up for anything job/school related). I smelled weed constantly (all three places I lived), heard people threatening each other with knives through my wall (among various other domestic issues that abounded), and got pretty accustomed to watching the police come and go serving warrants or dealing with other matters. Not exactly the type of environment I'd feel comfortable sending my kid off to after having gone through it myself. Loved NIU itself and the education I received, but I feel like there's a garbage truck that travels back and forth from Chicago to DeKalb, dumping its "trash" off and gradually degrading the surrounding environment.

All good points. Someone previously mentioned that high school freshman don't remember the shooting at NIU but parents certainly do. I'm reminded of it constantly. It isn't just that shooting though, it's other high profile incidents that have hurt the overall perception. There isn't a quick fix but improvements are being made. It's just hard to notice.

If people in Illinois are really still thinking of NIU in a negative light because of a shooting that has happened at many colleges across the nation, not just NIU, then NIU needs to start looking at out-of-state students more heavily. If Illinois high school graduates are leaving the state then NIU needs to recruit out-of-state students too. Offer them in-state tuition prices to incentivize. I haven't lived in Illinois in 7 years now but whenever i talk to people and they ask me who i root for or what school i went to they always say, "you guys have a really good football team". They never say, "is that the school that had a shooting?"

I'm not sure if NIU does this, but if not, they should consider doing what UIC does. Start bringing in students from Asia (China, Korea, India, etc.). These are all very smart kids who want an American education and who pay full out-of-state tuition. There are groups in those countries that act as intermediaries to screen, pre-qualify, and send the students over.

(09-07-2016 05:59 PM)NIU32 Wrote:  It's been mentioned before, but like it or not, it's the Chance program and its been slowly killing the reputation of NIU for decades. It's been over 10 years since I've been there and I saw some messed up stuff at school that I never saw at other colleges I visited. A lot of kids genuinely feel unsafe. I had multiple friends mugged and robbed on campus and it's a shame bc I love NIU and I hate to see how's it's gotten on campus and it's reputation locally.

It's just the way the program is run. I'm all for giving kids an opportunity to goto college, but there should be some type of interview or screening program first to at least make sure the kids involved in the program are serious about going to school and getting an education. A lot of the kids on the program's never made it a semester and it just kept recycling kids left and right and bringing in friends and trouble from the city. The program is broken. If the Chance program was run differently or sent to EIU or WIU I have no doubts DeKalb and NIU would feel like a totally different place.


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Can attest to this. Both as a student and in professional life.

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