(12-15-2017 07:46 AM)JB04 Wrote:  NIU has proximity to Chicagoland, which give it an advantage in the fight for students versus the other directional schools. Unfortunately, IL state schools are just not in style right now. 20 years ago most high school kids went to one of the 6/7, now kids are jumping states or going private.

Also, I hate saying this but although NIU has proximity, we really have to overcome the NW part of DeKalb. It doesn't look or feel like college....I stopped at 7-11 to get gas after a basketball game a couple weeks ago and lets just say I didn't stop in to get a slurpee for the kids. That area needs a college feel where students wonder around to coffee shops, bars, fun non-chain fast food restaurants, etc. it's sad that NIU has basically one "college bar/restaurant" with fattys. Meh....I'll stop now because I know people are going to criticize this post somehow

(12-15-2017 03:45 PM)nucyberdawg Wrote:  

(12-15-2017 07:46 AM)JB04 Wrote:  NIU has proximity to Chicagoland, which give it an advantage in the fight for students versus the other directional schools. Unfortunately, IL state schools are just not in style right now. 20 years ago most high school kids went to one of the 6/7, now kids are jumping states or going private.

Also, I hate saying this but although NIU has proximity, we really have to overcome the NW part of DeKalb. It doesn't look or feel like college....I stopped at 7-11 to get gas after a basketball game a couple weeks ago and lets just say I didn't stop in to get a slurpee for the kids. That area needs a college feel where students wonder around to coffee shops, bars, fun non-chain fast food restaurants, etc. it's sad that NIU has basically one "college bar/restaurant" with fattys. Meh....I'll stop now because I know people are going to criticize this post somehow

I understand where you are coming from re: NW DeKalb. However, KEEP THIS IN MIND : NW DeKalb is not the center of the universe nor NIU. Several aspects of DeKalb and NIU today are better than years ago.

I lived in Suburban Estates Apartments on Twombly when first opened in 1965/66. It was nothing to write home about then nor is it now. I visited my old stomping grounds each homecoming weekend. I also lived on Greenbrier in what was frat row and it was marginal at best by many standards.

Times change. However IMHO not all that much has changed along N Glidden except for more undesirables.

There are more significant and urgent priorities other than amenities lacking in NW DeKalb.

Many different factors contribute to enrollment declines across IL Universities. While each state school may have its unique variables one thing is a constant. The number of Illinois HS graduates is dropping as is state population.

(12-15-2017 05:21 PM)dogdangit Wrote:  

(12-15-2017 03:45 PM)nucyberdawg Wrote:  

(12-15-2017 07:46 AM)JB04 Wrote:  NIU has proximity to Chicagoland, which give it an advantage in the fight for students versus the other directional schools. Unfortunately, IL state schools are just not in style right now. 20 years ago most high school kids went to one of the 6/7, now kids are jumping states or going private.

Also, I hate saying this but although NIU has proximity, we really have to overcome the NW part of DeKalb. It doesn't look or feel like college....I stopped at 7-11 to get gas after a basketball game a couple weeks ago and lets just say I didn't stop in to get a slurpee for the kids. That area needs a college feel where students wonder around to coffee shops, bars, fun non-chain fast food restaurants, etc. it's sad that NIU has basically one "college bar/restaurant" with fattys. Meh....I'll stop now because I know people are going to criticize this post somehow

I understand where you are coming from re: NW DeKalb. However, KEEP THIS IN MIND : NW DeKalb is not the center of the universe nor NIU. Several aspects of DeKalb and NIU today are better than years ago.

I lived in Suburban Estates Apartments on Twombly when first opened in 1965/66. It was nothing to write home about then nor is it now. I visited my old stomping grounds each homecoming weekend. I also lived on Greenbrier in what was frat row and it was marginal at best by many standards.

Times change. However IMHO not all that much has changed along N Glidden except for more undesirables.

There are more significant and urgent priorities other than amenities lacking in NW DeKalb.

Many different factors contribute to enrollment declines across IL Universities. While each state school may have its unique variables one thing is a constant. The number of Illinois HS graduates is dropping as is state population.

Here's how most students are feeling. Pissed. Every year enrollment declines, that opens up more housing for section 8. Say what you want about them, but bottom line is that they don't help the school at all. This year we had 7 weekends in a row with shootings. It finally took 4 municipal police departments along with the state police and the Illinois National Guard patrolling the area to have one shooting free weekend (there was a shooting the Tuesday after though).

Every single NIU student knows that the 7-11 is the most dangerous part of DeKalb. Just ask any student about "hey there man", a local bum who comes up to you or your car and asks for $3 so he can use it to buy drugs.

After weeks of meetings with students, residents and the police, what was the city's solution? Parking. Restrict overnight parking, get rid of free parking close to campus (probably to make up for the city's $1 million deficit), make street parking for permitted residents only etc.
Currently NIU residence halls are on a 24 hour lock down after a someone was held up at gunpoint inside Stevenson. I have a friend who works at one of the larger property management companies who told me that he's had many students turn in their keys and drop out of NIU over concerns about their safety. So while yes, NW DeKalb is not the center of the universe, its not helping NIU one bit.

(12-15-2017 07:46 AM)JB04 Wrote:  NIU has proximity to Chicagoland, which give it an advantage in the fight for students versus the other directional schools. Unfortunately, IL state schools are just not in style right now. 20 years ago most high school kids went to one of the 6/7, now kids are jumping states or going private.

Also, I hate saying this but although NIU has proximity, we really have to overcome the NW part of DeKalb. It doesn't look or feel like college....I stopped at 7-11 to get gas after a basketball game a couple weeks ago and lets just say I didn't stop in to get a slurpee for the kids. That area needs a college feel where students wonder around to coffee shops, bars, fun non-chain fast food restaurants, etc. it's sad that NIU has basically one "college bar/restaurant" with fattys. Meh....I'll stop now because I know people are going to criticize this post somehow

(12-15-2017 05:21 PM)dogdangit Wrote:  

(12-15-2017 03:45 PM)nucyberdawg Wrote:  

(12-15-2017 07:46 AM)JB04 Wrote:  NIU has proximity to Chicagoland, which give it an advantage in the fight for students versus the other directional schools. Unfortunately, IL state schools are just not in style right now. 20 years ago most high school kids went to one of the 6/7, now kids are jumping states or going private.

Also, I hate saying this but although NIU has proximity, we really have to overcome the NW part of DeKalb. It doesn't look or feel like college....I stopped at 7-11 to get gas after a basketball game a couple weeks ago and lets just say I didn't stop in to get a slurpee for the kids. That area needs a college feel where students wonder around to coffee shops, bars, fun non-chain fast food restaurants, etc. it's sad that NIU has basically one "college bar/restaurant" with fattys. Meh....I'll stop now because I know people are going to criticize this post somehow

I understand where you are coming from re: NW DeKalb. However, KEEP THIS IN MIND : NW DeKalb is not the center of the universe nor NIU. Several aspects of DeKalb and NIU today are better than years ago.

I lived in Suburban Estates Apartments on Twombly when first opened in 1965/66. It was nothing to write home about then nor is it now. I visited my old stomping grounds each homecoming weekend. I also lived on Greenbrier in what was frat row and it was marginal at best by many standards.

Times change. However IMHO not all that much has changed along N Glidden except for more undesirables.

There are more significant and urgent priorities other than amenities lacking in NW DeKalb.

Many different factors contribute to enrollment declines across IL Universities. While each state school may have its unique variables one thing is a constant. The number of Illinois HS graduates is dropping as is state population.

Here's how most students are feeling. Pissed. Every year enrollment declines, that opens up more housing for section 8. Say what you want about them, but bottom line is that they don't help the school at all. This year we had 7 weekends in a row with shootings. It finally took 4 municipal police departments along with the state police and the Illinois National Guard patrolling the area to have one shooting free weekend (there was a shooting the Tuesday after though).

Every single NIU student knows that the 7-11 is the most dangerous part of DeKalb. Just ask any student about "hey there man", a local bum who comes up to you or your car and asks for $3 so he can use it to buy drugs.

After weeks of meetings with students, residents and the police, what was the city's solution? Parking. Restrict overnight parking, get rid of free parking close to campus (probably to make up for the city's $1 million deficit), make street parking for permitted residents only etc.
Currently NIU residence halls are on a 24 hour lock down after a someone was held up at gunpoint inside Stevenson. I have a friend who works at one of the larger property management companies who told me that he's had many students turn in their keys and drop out of NIU over concerns about their safety. So while yes, NW DeKalb is not the center of the universe, its not helping NIU one bit.

(12-15-2017 10:55 PM)nucyberdawg Wrote:  I think its unfair and untrue that DeKalb police and NIU have ignored the problems associated with many of those residing in surrounding areas I once called home.

(12-16-2017 08:38 AM)NIUfrank Wrote:  Wow I didn't realize how ghetto it got there. Hard to change that perception. You think it's locals living there? I always thought it was one and done types bringing their friends from the hood.

(12-15-2017 11:22 PM)OldTtimeNIU Wrote:  Perception is reality....unfortunately

Let me say this...not all Section 8 people are bad people. And if students would quit providing a market for drugs the gangs would not come to to wn

(12-16-2017 08:40 AM)PrideinthePack2 Wrote:  

(12-16-2017 08:38 AM)NIUfrank Wrote:  Wow I didn't realize how ghetto it got there. Hard to change that perception. You think it's locals living there? I always thought it was one and done types bringing their friends from the hood.

That too. I lived in Grant not too many years ago and it was a zoo. A lot of people didn’t even make it to a second semester, let alone a second year.