Stu - As usual, you are wrong.
1. I never said the money would keep rolling in. But they did get a $2.3 million increase in funding for the 2019 budget from the state.
http://thechicagocitizen.com/news/2019/j...ago-state/
2. I did not say that Zorich would fix things. I did say I thought he was a good hire but would need time. He hired two very good basketball coaches for the school and I liked his enthusiasm. But it did not work out for him, for whatever reason.
3. If you have ever been through an audit, and I have been through dozens of them, an auditor makes recommendations. This guy will probably be more of a consultant. I have no idea what this person has been asked to look at. Yes, I think they will stay D1.
4. I cannot recall saying that the school needed $1.5 million for facilities. How would I know that?
5. I did not say that their problems with enrollment were due to the budget problems in the state of Illinois. I said the budget issues exacerbated the decline in enrollment that Chicago State and may other schools in Illinois were having. I have frequently blamed the mismanagement at Chicago State for their financial and enrollment issues.
6. I have no idea how much the Jones Convocation Center is used, but I think your description of the utilization is probably inaccurate. It is currently used for the following:
CSU Commencement Ceremony
CSU Basketball Games
CPS Basketball Tournaments
CPS Graduations
Concerts
Theatrical Productions
Government Job Fairs
Family Shows
Since they own it and are not making any debt payments on it, it would only make sense to keep it. Giving it away to the city of Chicago would seem like a really bad idea.
The new Chicago mayor, Lori Lightfoot, has called Chicago State President, Zaldwaynaka 'Z' Scott, a personal friend and mentor. They were both federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Illinois. Lightfoot has said that Chicago State University will be a part of her economic development plan for the city of Chicago. Some things are just beginning:
https://www.csu.edu/news/new_station_south_side.htm
“We are excited to be working with Chicago State officials to create a much-improved station that will serve as a welcoming gateway to the university as well as to the Metra system,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski.
“
I commend Metra and Chicago State University for joining forces to revitalize this stop. This effort is an example of the cooperative partnerships needed to revitalize, grow and develop the south land, which includes providing stability for Chicago State University,” State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) said.
“We are excited about our partnership with Metra and their engagement to support the revitalization of transit on our campus and the South Side,” said President Zaldwaynaka Scott.
Anyway, you are hoping that Chicago State is dropping down from D1 based on an audit reported in the Chicago Crusader, an audit that CSU has not confirmed and for a purpose that none of us are aware of. I said last year that it was going to take 3-5 years to see if the new administration could turn the school around. I will stand by that statement.