Drove past prez home first time thanks to the thread providing location.

My first reaction is one of being underwhelmed for several reasons:

The immediate surrounding neighborhood is rather "ordinary" middle class housing IMHO.

The general location even less special for a chief executive. seems kinda close to commercial tacky just off 23.

There are so many more upscale neighborhoods and homes in the region befitting a U President.
Wonder how it compares to other homes of MAC school Presidents...

Like much of NIU campus itself - save a few special sites - the lack of quality professional landscaping at President's home was rather disappointing to me.

Lack of any surrounding fencing also a surprise.

The architectural style was neither classic, elegant nor distinguished. Wonder if the interior was totally renovated with a more open/entertainment friendly design.

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As a new incoming NIU president I would rather buy a home of my choice and take any of the rent from the existing home --- say from the next AD...

Considering the school's overall funding issues, I would not consider the President's house as a top priority. If the new prez wants to spruce it up with his own $$. No issues. We pay him enough.

on a different scale but sorta reminds me of the rehabbing/replacement needs for NIU dorms...old -tired, worn, outdated boring architectural design and less than what many have come to expect as prospective entering high quality students or presidential candidates....wonder if home turned off any highly qualified applicants...

if athletics is considered a front porch to a university , what are dorms and the president's home...?......... backyard sheds?

On a scale of 1 to 10 I score lincoln & douglas a three and the presidents home a five...being average is not a good thing.

Let the President buy his own home.
Better yet, let the Mrs. buy it. A happy wife makes for a happy home.
(They won't teach you that at NIU)

..and what does the competition offer ....same attractive option?

like with so very many other issues whether conf realignment, hiring a president or anything else in life , the marketplace dictates your options and choices. They also teach that at NIU.

why not offer to pres and wife option to select a home of their choice and NIU foots the monthly rent since president will not likely reside there the term of any home mortgage.

(04-13-2013 10:17 AM)niucyberdawg Wrote:  My first reaction is one of being underwhelmed for several reasons:
The immediate surrounding neighborhood is rather "ordinary" middle class housing IMHO.
The general location even less special for a chief executive. seems kinda close to commercial tacky just off 23.
Like much of NIU campus itself - save a few special sites - the lack of quality professional landscaping at President's home was rather disappointing to me.
Lack of any surrounding fencing also a surprise.
The architectural style was neither classic, elegant nor distinguished.

Agree with everything you said above, which is why the talk about purchasing the place off Bethany Road may not seem like an ideal location, but with its fencing and surrounding trees, appears a little more exclusive and unique. Since our new pres is an avid kayaker, he might like having the mighty (albeit rapids-less) Kishwaukee nearby.