As others mentioned, a lot of schools are struggling with enrollment right now + the budget issues in IL for a while there didn't help + the shooting + The Village has been there forever.. all these things, the current admin can't do anything about. So I don't expect it to go back to what it was any time soon and I'm aware it's an uphill battle. That being said, it doesn't mean they can't do better.

One thing I'd like to see is to get the Metra to DeKalb (I know there's the fear mongering of "people from Chicago" coming in and terrorizing the town, but nothing you can do about those chicken littles). You need to make it easier to get to DeKalb, the younger generation doesn't like driving, so solve for the problem. NIU should be leading the charge on making this happen. To me, this is the best chance at some sort of recovery even if we never make it back to our highest point.
https://www.statista.com/chart/18682/per...age-group/
Probably wouldn't hurt game day attendance either from alums in the suburbs and the city.

From there, the campus is pretty spread out.. and there's less and less to do, just off the top of my head.. 30 years ago there were two movie theaters, now there's zero. There were more bars, more restaurants, simply more to do in general. Don't have any solutions to offer there, but you need a walkable "quad" of some sort where you can get to entertainment / recreation / etc.. to keep the kids on campus and make it attractive on visits.

Anyone who has been in sales knows, make it easy for your customer.. right now the campus is not "easy" for a Gen Z who doesn't own a car or even a drivers license (or whatever generation this group is). That makes for pretty a tough sale and we're seeing the results.

(02-06-2023 07:36 PM)dogdangit Wrote:  Greek life is also on life support. Just recently the chapters voted to change tugs to 7v7 from what was 9v9 due to the smaller house sizes.

at least there is one benefit to low enrollment

(02-07-2023 08:39 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(02-06-2023 07:17 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(02-06-2023 05:45 PM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  NIU & DeKalb has to get the Section 8 housing off of campus and Greek Row. Until this happens we will be spinning our wheels. IMO it starts and ends with this issue.

People don't like those kinds of things?

It's as simple as creating and marketing services and resources that attract a broad student body. Right now, we aren't doing that. What's to make kids want to attend NIU other than the new dorm and a refinished student center. Me personally, it was about affordability and a thriving party scene.

Now it's expensive and there's a high chance of mugging. I was one of those in here arguing that the lack of safety on campus and in DeKalb was overblown. But data is clearly proving otherwise and is reflective in the enrollment numbers.

Something has to change, it has to be big and it needed to happen yesterday.

Honestly question. Does DeKalb have a crime issue or is the issue mainly on the NIU campus, specifically the old Greek Row area?

I've been downtown and there just doesn't seem to be anything to worry about in that area. The rest of DeKalb is residential and seems pretty quiet as well.

But I do know there are issues in the old Greek Row area and just about any area with a large apartment complex.

Now, I have heard the high school has issues and I know a few people who lived in DeKalb and moved to Sycamore because they wanted their kids in that school system vs DeKalb's. But the school issues could also be attributed to the few pockets of areas of concern.

Needless to say, when that starts to happen and people who have means flee an area or school district, it can have a cascading effect.

The northwest part of Dekalb, including Greek Row, is where crime is most prevalent. Seems to have changed recently, but NIU stubbornly used to see Greek Row as "off campus" and bury there heads on the issues, Very frustrating. I have had at least one child at NIU living in Greek Row (including right now) for the past 9 years running. Crime is an issue and the kids have learned to not go out too late and to always pair up with someone at night. It is not crazy dangerous in Greek Row, but definitely enough to be always on the mind and an issue. Not the environment that is conducive to creating enrollment and school pride. This is why I believe that until this area is cleaned up, NIU just cannot move forward in a positive way, it is the elephant in the room. I am sympathetic that Section 8 housing is needed to assist those with financial struggles, but placing it in right on the NIU campus area and the biggest financial engine of the city & county is just mind boggling.

(02-07-2023 10:34 AM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 08:39 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(02-06-2023 07:17 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(02-06-2023 05:45 PM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  NIU & DeKalb has to get the Section 8 housing off of campus and Greek Row. Until this happens we will be spinning our wheels. IMO it starts and ends with this issue.

People don't like those kinds of things?

It's as simple as creating and marketing services and resources that attract a broad student body. Right now, we aren't doing that. What's to make kids want to attend NIU other than the new dorm and a refinished student center. Me personally, it was about affordability and a thriving party scene.

Now it's expensive and there's a high chance of mugging. I was one of those in here arguing that the lack of safety on campus and in DeKalb was overblown. But data is clearly proving otherwise and is reflective in the enrollment numbers.

Something has to change, it has to be big and it needed to happen yesterday.

Honestly question. Does DeKalb have a crime issue or is the issue mainly on the NIU campus, specifically the old Greek Row area?

I've been downtown and there just doesn't seem to be anything to worry about in that area. The rest of DeKalb is residential and seems pretty quiet as well.

But I do know there are issues in the old Greek Row area and just about any area with a large apartment complex.

Now, I have heard the high school has issues and I know a few people who lived in DeKalb and moved to Sycamore because they wanted their kids in that school system vs DeKalb's. But the school issues could also be attributed to the few pockets of areas of concern.

Needless to say, when that starts to happen and people who have means flee an area or school district, it can have a cascading effect.

The northwest part of Dekalb, including Greek Row, is where crime is most prevalent. Seems to have changed recently, but NIU stubbornly used to see Greek Row as "off campus" and bury there heads on the issues, Very frustrating. I have had at least one child at NIU living in Greek Row (including right now) for the past 9 years running. Crime is an issue and the kids have learned to not go out too late and to always pair up with someone at night. It is not crazy dangerous in Greek Row, but definitely enough to be always on the mind and an issue. Not the environment that is conducive to creating enrollment and school pride. This is why I believe that until this area is cleaned up, NIU just cannot move forward in a positive way, it is the elephant in the room. I am sympathetic that Section 8 housing is needed to assist those with financial struggles, but placing it in right on the NIU campus area and the biggest financial engine of the city & county is just mind boggling.

It would seem they overbuilt when enrollment grew. All the new apartments west of Annie Glidden, some south of tracks on AG too I think. Students renting newer houses. You already had a few dumpy places like the pseudo dorm near the grey townhouses which even in the 90's drew trash. That whole area was one of the 1st to go as they went vacant (some still are, condemned) and remodeled. The ones near greek row that remained went Sec 8.

DeKalb has one thing many schools don't: land, and land near campus.

Most schools, as well as cities, tear down and rebuild something better if not bigger. UI did it everywhere. Not DeKalb. They probably gave out building permits like escort cards on the Vegas Strip in the early 2000s. Now this is what you got. Sec 8 and many crappy apartments, some vacant and an aging housing for students close to campus.

And again, who in the city of DeKalb, citizens, politicians actually cares? Most really don't. Out of sight, out of mind.

(02-07-2023 08:39 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(02-06-2023 07:17 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(02-06-2023 05:45 PM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  NIU & DeKalb has to get the Section 8 housing off of campus and Greek Row. Until this happens we will be spinning our wheels. IMO it starts and ends with this issue.

People don't like those kinds of things?

It's as simple as creating and marketing services and resources that attract a broad student body. Right now, we aren't doing that. What's to make kids want to attend NIU other than the new dorm and a refinished student center. Me personally, it was about affordability and a thriving party scene.

Now it's expensive and there's a high chance of mugging. I was one of those in here arguing that the lack of safety on campus and in DeKalb was overblown. But data is clearly proving otherwise and is reflective in the enrollment numbers.

Something has to change, it has to be big and it needed to happen yesterday.

Honestly question. Does DeKalb have a crime issue or is the issue mainly on the NIU campus, specifically the old Greek Row area?

I've been downtown and there just doesn't seem to be anything to worry about in that area. The rest of DeKalb is residential and seems pretty quiet as well.

But I do know there are issues in the old Greek Row area and just about any area with a large apartment complex.

Now, I have heard the high school has issues and I know a few people who lived in DeKalb and moved to Sycamore because they wanted their kids in that school system vs DeKalb's. But the school issues could also be attributed to the few pockets of areas of concern.

Needless to say, when that starts to happen and people who have means flee an area or school district, it can have a cascading effect.

This is a telling sign but DeKalb, Illinois' crime rate is worse than DeKalb County's Decatur in Georgia...not only by crimes per 100k residents but in sheer numbers as well

We are doing bad guys...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.neighbo.../crime.amp

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.neighbo.../crime.amp

(02-07-2023 10:47 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 10:34 AM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 08:39 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(02-06-2023 07:17 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(02-06-2023 05:45 PM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  NIU & DeKalb has to get the Section 8 housing off of campus and Greek Row. Until this happens we will be spinning our wheels. IMO it starts and ends with this issue.

People don't like those kinds of things?

It's as simple as creating and marketing services and resources that attract a broad student body. Right now, we aren't doing that. What's to make kids want to attend NIU other than the new dorm and a refinished student center. Me personally, it was about affordability and a thriving party scene.

Now it's expensive and there's a high chance of mugging. I was one of those in here arguing that the lack of safety on campus and in DeKalb was overblown. But data is clearly proving otherwise and is reflective in the enrollment numbers.

Something has to change, it has to be big and it needed to happen yesterday.

Honestly question. Does DeKalb have a crime issue or is the issue mainly on the NIU campus, specifically the old Greek Row area?

I've been downtown and there just doesn't seem to be anything to worry about in that area. The rest of DeKalb is residential and seems pretty quiet as well.

But I do know there are issues in the old Greek Row area and just about any area with a large apartment complex.

Now, I have heard the high school has issues and I know a few people who lived in DeKalb and moved to Sycamore because they wanted their kids in that school system vs DeKalb's. But the school issues could also be attributed to the few pockets of areas of concern.

Needless to say, when that starts to happen and people who have means flee an area or school district, it can have a cascading effect.

The northwest part of Dekalb, including Greek Row, is where crime is most prevalent. Seems to have changed recently, but NIU stubbornly used to see Greek Row as "off campus" and bury there heads on the issues, Very frustrating. I have had at least one child at NIU living in Greek Row (including right now) for the past 9 years running. Crime is an issue and the kids have learned to not go out too late and to always pair up with someone at night. It is not crazy dangerous in Greek Row, but definitely enough to be always on the mind and an issue. Not the environment that is conducive to creating enrollment and school pride. This is why I believe that until this area is cleaned up, NIU just cannot move forward in a positive way, it is the elephant in the room. I am sympathetic that Section 8 housing is needed to assist those with financial struggles, but placing it in right on the NIU campus area and the [b]biggest financial engine of the city & county is just mind boggling.[/b]

It would seem they overbuilt when enrollment grew. All the new apartments west of Annie Glidden, some south of tracks on AG too I think. Students renting newer houses. You already had a few dumpy places like the pseudo dorm near the grey townhouses which even in the 90's drew trash. That whole area was one of the 1st to go as they went vacant (some still are, condemned) and remodeled. The ones near greek row that remained went Sec 8.

DeKalb has one thing many schools don't: land, and land near campus.

Most schools, as well as cities, tear down and rebuild something better if not bigger. UI did it everywhere. Not DeKalb. They probably gave out building permits like escort cards on the Vegas Strip in the early 2000s. Now this is what you got. Sec 8 and many crappy apartments, some vacant and an aging housing for students close to campus.

And again, who in the city of DeKalb, citizens, politicians actually cares? Most really don't. Out of sight, out of mind.

I would also add the biggest financial engine to DeKalb is retail along 23 to Sycamore, property tax income on new homes. NIU brings in steady stream but not what it was.

My wife and I have some friends who decided not to send their kids to NIU. When I asked them why, they brought up crime and gang activities. Whether it's true or not, it's the perception that matters, and that perception made them send their kids someplace else.

(02-07-2023 11:11 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  My wife and I have some friends who decided not to send their kids to NIU. When I asked them why, they brought up crime and gang activities. Whether it's true or not, it's the perception that matters, and that perception made them send their kids someplace else.

According to data, it's definitely and unfortunately true. I was lying to myself for years, believing no way it could be this bad.

(02-07-2023 12:28 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 11:11 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  My wife and I have some friends who decided not to send their kids to NIU. When I asked them why, they brought up crime and gang activities. Whether it's true or not, it's the perception that matters, and that perception made them send their kids someplace else.

According to data, it's definitely and unfortunately true. I was lying to myself for years, believing no way it could be this bad.

The new crime bill signed by Pritzker and implemented on 1/1/2023 will only make it worse

(02-07-2023 01:00 PM)Klake1987 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 12:28 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 11:11 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  My wife and I have some friends who decided not to send their kids to NIU. When I asked them why, they brought up crime and gang activities. Whether it's true or not, it's the perception that matters, and that perception made them send their kids someplace else.

According to data, it's definitely and unfortunately true. I was lying to myself for years, believing no way it could be this bad.

The new crime bill signed by Pritzker and implemented on 1/1/2023 will only make it worse

That didn't go into effect

The crime/safety angle can feel a bit lazy. Crime in neighborhoods around a college campus isn't unique to NIU. Yale, Temple, and USC aren't surrounded by what one would call "safe" neighborhoods just to name a few schools. Cost, more online options, reputation as a suitcase school, comparative lack of reputation for having quality academic programs, lack of nightlife/party scene, and a host of other things drive this more than crime.

Crime is up almost everywhere. When you don't prosecute the criminals they keep committing crimes

(02-07-2023 04:21 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  The crime/safety angle can feel a bit lazy. Crime in neighborhoods around a college campus isn't unique to NIU. Yale, Temple, and USC aren't surrounded by what one would call "safe" neighborhoods just to name a few schools. Cost, more online options, reputation as a suitcase school, comparative lack of reputation for having quality academic programs, lack of nightlife/party scene, and a host of other things drive this more than crime.

Name one campus where students, greek row is next to if not mixed in with section 8? Where students live in an area where locals state they would not go? Almost a desert of nothing around except a gas station, burritos and a liquor store.

And all those things on their own are an issue, reasons not to go there: better options academically geographically for same cost. And some ARE driven by crime. Last 2 times I drove by Molly's the cops were there around midnight. I've seen gutted buildings on Edgebrook, graffiti. Most reputations, opinions are driven by some facts sad to say. Simple put, decades ago these problems were not widespread, close to campus.

(02-07-2023 05:21 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 04:21 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  The crime/safety angle can feel a bit lazy. Crime in neighborhoods around a college campus isn't unique to NIU. Yale, Temple, and USC aren't surrounded by what one would call "safe" neighborhoods just to name a few schools. Cost, more online options, reputation as a suitcase school, comparative lack of reputation for having quality academic programs, lack of nightlife/party scene, and a host of other things drive this more than crime.

Name one campus where students, greek row is next to if not mixed in with section 8? Where students live in an area where locals state they would not go? Almost a desert of nothing around except a gas station, burritos and a liquor store.

And all those things on their own are an issue, reasons not to go there: better options academically geographically for same cost. And some ARE driven by crime. Last 2 times I drove by Molly's the cops were there around midnight. I've seen gutted buildings on Edgebrook, graffiti. Most reputations, opinions are driven by some facts sad to say. Simple put, decades ago these problems were not widespread, close to campus.

Like i said. Lazy. I gave you three schools that are in far worse neighborhoods than NIU in the very post you responded to. But I'll add a few more. Berkeley, University of Chicago, Fordham. However, there are other draws for these institutions that make students overlook "safety." That's because safety is a feeling. Give students better reasons to attend the school and no one will care that poor people live next to Greek row. Cops at a bar at midnight? The horror.

(02-07-2023 05:51 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 05:21 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 04:21 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  The crime/safety angle can feel a bit lazy. Crime in neighborhoods around a college campus isn't unique to NIU. Yale, Temple, and USC aren't surrounded by what one would call "safe" neighborhoods just to name a few schools. Cost, more online options, reputation as a suitcase school, comparative lack of reputation for having quality academic programs, lack of nightlife/party scene, and a host of other things drive this more than crime.

Name one campus where students, greek row is next to if not mixed in with section 8? Where students live in an area where locals state they would not go? Almost a desert of nothing around except a gas station, burritos and a liquor store.

And all those things on their own are an issue, reasons not to go there: better options academically geographically for same cost. And some ARE driven by crime. Last 2 times I drove by Molly's the cops were there around midnight. I've seen gutted buildings on Edgebrook, graffiti. Most reputations, opinions are driven by some facts sad to say. Simple put, decades ago these problems were not widespread, close to campus.

Like i said. Lazy. I gave you three schools that are in far worse neighborhoods than NIU in the very post you responded to. But I'll add a few more. Berkeley, University of Chicago, Fordham. However, there are other draws for these institutions that make students overlook "safety." That's because safety is a feeling. Give students better reasons to attend the school and no one will care that poor people live next to Greek row. Cops at a bar at midnight? The horror.

UIC is near some really dicey areas, and in Chicago, which as a whole has a really bad rep especially lately. UIC markets past this and gets the students. Leadership is everything. A more effective president may have kept NIU hovering around 20k the last 5 years, very possible.

(02-07-2023 05:51 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 05:21 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 04:21 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  The crime/safety angle can feel a bit lazy. Crime in neighborhoods around a college campus isn't unique to NIU. Yale, Temple, and USC aren't surrounded by what one would call "safe" neighborhoods just to name a few schools. Cost, more online options, reputation as a suitcase school, comparative lack of reputation for having quality academic programs, lack of nightlife/party scene, and a host of other things drive this more than crime.

Name one campus where students, greek row is next to if not mixed in with section 8? Where students live in an area where locals state they would not go? Almost a desert of nothing around except a gas station, burritos and a liquor store.

And all those things on their own are an issue, reasons not to go there: better options academically geographically for same cost. And some ARE driven by crime. Last 2 times I drove by Molly's the cops were there around midnight. I've seen gutted buildings on Edgebrook, graffiti. Most reputations, opinions are driven by some facts sad to say. Simple put, decades ago these problems were not widespread, close to campus.

Like i said. Lazy. I gave you three schools that are in far worse neighborhoods than NIU in the very post you responded to. But I'll add a few more. Berkeley, University of Chicago, Fordham. However, there are other draws for these institutions that make students overlook "safety." That's because safety is a feeling. Give students better reasons to attend the school and no one will care that poor people live next to Greek row. Cops at a bar at midnight? The horror.

I give up with the "this school this, that school bs." From a crowd of many who went to NIU because they couldn't get into a better school. I can tell you nearly every roommate I had NIU was not the 1st choice be it academically or cost as years ago the cost of out of state school was much higher now for many alternate options. Face that fact 1st, realize why, then move forward 10..20...40 years+.

So many of you would never send a kid to NIU, NEVER set foot there if it was not your Alma Mater. And if your never came back, you would be in the majority...probably like 8....9/10? If ISU or UI looked like the north part of campus, had little to offer in nightlife, had less education you'd post about it ever day. Many would not dare let their kid live there. Many mock Chicago, S. Side other area of crime you never set foot in. But hey, NIU campus is so great. Why is there no business? Why is enrollment down? Why do parent's and townies say as they do?

Until people want to look at reality...visit the area regularly. Talk to people. Look at stats, enrollment breakdown. Most importantly, look in the mirror about your beliefs, your background, where you live. But hey, feel free to tell everyone else about things meaningless to why NIU is where it is. The academics + housing, NIU and town officials contributing doomed this school and campus years ago.

(02-07-2023 08:21 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 05:51 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 05:21 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 04:21 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  The crime/safety angle can feel a bit lazy. Crime in neighborhoods around a college campus isn't unique to NIU. Yale, Temple, and USC aren't surrounded by what one would call "safe" neighborhoods just to name a few schools. Cost, more online options, reputation as a suitcase school, comparative lack of reputation for having quality academic programs, lack of nightlife/party scene, and a host of other things drive this more than crime.

Name one campus where students, greek row is next to if not mixed in with section 8? Where students live in an area where locals state they would not go? Almost a desert of nothing around except a gas station, burritos and a liquor store.

And all those things on their own are an issue, reasons not to go there: better options academically geographically for same cost. And some ARE driven by crime. Last 2 times I drove by Molly's the cops were there around midnight. I've seen gutted buildings on Edgebrook, graffiti. Most reputations, opinions are driven by some facts sad to say. Simple put, decades ago these problems were not widespread, close to campus.

Like i said. Lazy. I gave you three schools that are in far worse neighborhoods than NIU in the very post you responded to. But I'll add a few more. Berkeley, University of Chicago, Fordham. However, there are other draws for these institutions that make students overlook "safety." That's because safety is a feeling. Give students better reasons to attend the school and no one will care that poor people live next to Greek row. Cops at a bar at midnight? The horror.

I give up with the "this school this, that school bs." From a crowd of many who went to NIU because they couldn't get into a better school. I can tell you nearly every roommate I had NIU was not the 1st choice be it academically or cost as years ago the cost of out of state school was much higher now for many alternate options. Face that fact 1st, realize why, then move forward 10..20...40 years+.

So many of you would never send a kid to NIU, NEVER set foot there if it was not your Alma Mater. And if your never came back, you would be in the majority...probably like 8....9/10? If ISU or UI looked like the north part of campus, had little to offer in nightlife, had less education you'd post about it ever day. Many would not dare let their kid live there. Many mock Chicago, S. Side other area of crime you never set foot in. But hey, NIU campus is so great. Why is there no business? Why is enrollment down? Why do parent's and townies say as they do?

Until people want to look at reality...visit the area regularly. Talk to people. Look at stats, enrollment breakdown. Most importantly, look in the mirror about your beliefs, your background, where you live. But hey, feel free to tell everyone else about things meaningless to why NIU is where it is. The academics + housing, NIU and town officials contributing doomed this school and campus years ago.

In no particular order

-Many football games on weeknights and it's the MAC, how can I get wasted to that?
-Crime sucks and there's a real chance I could get accosted on Greek Row
-The party scene is meh
-The bar scene is meh
-It's kind of expensive for what you pay (I am one of many who didn't choose NIU, NIU chose me...by price point)
-There's nothing to do in DeKalb
-Other than the Student Center, College of Business, the Engineering building and the Performing Arts College, it looks like it hasn't been updated since the 60s
-The fence at Dekalb Taylor Municipal Airport is too low and crummy
-No hot dogs at Huskie Stadium
-Greg Barksdale has transfered

(02-07-2023 09:00 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 08:21 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 05:51 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 05:21 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 04:21 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  The crime/safety angle can feel a bit lazy. Crime in neighborhoods around a college campus isn't unique to NIU. Yale, Temple, and USC aren't surrounded by what one would call "safe" neighborhoods just to name a few schools. Cost, more online options, reputation as a suitcase school, comparative lack of reputation for having quality academic programs, lack of nightlife/party scene, and a host of other things drive this more than crime.

Name one campus where students, greek row is next to if not mixed in with section 8? Where students live in an area where locals state they would not go? Almost a desert of nothing around except a gas station, burritos and a liquor store.

And all those things on their own are an issue, reasons not to go there: better options academically geographically for same cost. And some ARE driven by crime. Last 2 times I drove by Molly's the cops were there around midnight. I've seen gutted buildings on Edgebrook, graffiti. Most reputations, opinions are driven by some facts sad to say. Simple put, decades ago these problems were not widespread, close to campus.

Like i said. Lazy. I gave you three schools that are in far worse neighborhoods than NIU in the very post you responded to. But I'll add a few more. Berkeley, University of Chicago, Fordham. However, there are other draws for these institutions that make students overlook "safety." That's because safety is a feeling. Give students better reasons to attend the school and no one will care that poor people live next to Greek row. Cops at a bar at midnight? The horror.

I give up with the "this school this, that school bs." From a crowd of many who went to NIU because they couldn't get into a better school. I can tell you nearly every roommate I had NIU was not the 1st choice be it academically or cost as years ago the cost of out of state school was much higher now for many alternate options. Face that fact 1st, realize why, then move forward 10..20...40 years+.

So many of you would never send a kid to NIU, NEVER set foot there if it was not your Alma Mater. And if your never came back, you would be in the majority...probably like 8....9/10? If ISU or UI looked like the north part of campus, had little to offer in nightlife, had less education you'd post about it ever day. Many would not dare let their kid live there. Many mock Chicago, S. Side other area of crime you never set foot in. But hey, NIU campus is so great. Why is there no business? Why is enrollment down? Why do parent's and townies say as they do?

Until people want to look at reality...visit the area regularly. Talk to people. Look at stats, enrollment breakdown. Most importantly, look in the mirror about your beliefs, your background, where you live. But hey, feel free to tell everyone else about things meaningless to why NIU is where it is. The academics + housing, NIU and town officials contributing doomed this school and campus years ago.

In no particular order

-Many football games on weeknights and it's the MAC, how can I get wasted to that?
-Crime sucks and there's a real chance I could get accosted on Greek Row
-The party scene is meh
-The bar scene is meh
-It's kind of expensive for what you pay (I am one of many who didn't choose NIU, NIU chose me...by price point)
-There's nothing to do in DeKalb
-Other than the Student Center, College of Business, the Engineering building and the Performing Arts College, it looks like it hasn't been updated since the 60s
-The fence at Dekalb Taylor Municipal Airport is too low and crummy
-No hot dogs at Huskie Stadium
-Greg Barksdale has transfered

Kinda funny, but I was going to add that 30 years ago the night life wasn't the greatest. But we made due, had fun at the 4-5 bars on our Th-Sa circuit.

And I will say this. I found the house parties pre-21/before we all had fake IDS a highlight of being at NIU. While I thought the bars like Amex, Andy's, Otto's and Molly's...to some extent...were relaxing, for the most part played good rock music. But I will always cherish the house/apt parties. Rugby House, house next door like 6xx Lucinda, like 810 Kimberly in the 7 ft basement where Steve Olendorf could put his head between the beams, 9xx Greenbrier I think, corner apt in grey townhouses and I think my 1st party, 106 John. Probably took a few years off my life. but the memories. Falling through the ice on the Kish, walking through cornfields back to Grant North in early fall with a piece of metal like Children of The Corn meets Apocalypse now, with like 5 people following me, watching the OL football player on our floor pee in a guy's room on Kimberly in the basement while he was sleeping with the window open (was a total accident) guy on floor puking on an iguana. Ah, would trade them for nothing.

(02-07-2023 09:32 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 09:00 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 08:21 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 05:51 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  

(02-07-2023 05:21 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  Name one campus where students, greek row is next to if not mixed in with section 8? Where students live in an area where locals state they would not go? Almost a desert of nothing around except a gas station, burritos and a liquor store.

And all those things on their own are an issue, reasons not to go there: better options academically geographically for same cost. And some ARE driven by crime. Last 2 times I drove by Molly's the cops were there around midnight. I've seen gutted buildings on Edgebrook, graffiti. Most reputations, opinions are driven by some facts sad to say. Simple put, decades ago these problems were not widespread, close to campus.

Like i said. Lazy. I gave you three schools that are in far worse neighborhoods than NIU in the very post you responded to. But I'll add a few more. Berkeley, University of Chicago, Fordham. However, there are other draws for these institutions that make students overlook "safety." That's because safety is a feeling. Give students better reasons to attend the school and no one will care that poor people live next to Greek row. Cops at a bar at midnight? The horror.

I give up with the "this school this, that school bs." From a crowd of many who went to NIU because they couldn't get into a better school. I can tell you nearly every roommate I had NIU was not the 1st choice be it academically or cost as years ago the cost of out of state school was much higher now for many alternate options. Face that fact 1st, realize why, then move forward 10..20...40 years+.

So many of you would never send a kid to NIU, NEVER set foot there if it was not your Alma Mater. And if your never came back, you would be in the majority...probably like 8....9/10? If ISU or UI looked like the north part of campus, had little to offer in nightlife, had less education you'd post about it ever day. Many would not dare let their kid live there. Many mock Chicago, S. Side other area of crime you never set foot in. But hey, NIU campus is so great. Why is there no business? Why is enrollment down? Why do parent's and townies say as they do?

Until people want to look at reality...visit the area regularly. Talk to people. Look at stats, enrollment breakdown. Most importantly, look in the mirror about your beliefs, your background, where you live. But hey, feel free to tell everyone else about things meaningless to why NIU is where it is. The academics + housing, NIU and town officials contributing doomed this school and campus years ago.

In no particular order

-Many football games on weeknights and it's the MAC, how can I get wasted to that?
-Crime sucks and there's a real chance I could get accosted on Greek Row
-The party scene is meh
-The bar scene is meh
-It's kind of expensive for what you pay (I am one of many who didn't choose NIU, NIU chose me...by price point)
-There's nothing to do in DeKalb
-Other than the Student Center, College of Business, the Engineering building and the Performing Arts College, it looks like it hasn't been updated since the 60s
-The fence at Dekalb Taylor Municipal Airport is too low and crummy
-No hot dogs at Huskie Stadium
-Greg Barksdale has transfered

Kinda funny, but I was going to add that 30 years ago the night life wasn't the greatest. But we made due, had fun at the 4-5 bars on our Th-Sa circuit.

And I will say this. I found the house parties pre-21/before we all had fake IDS a highlight of being at NIU. While I thought the bars like Amex, Andy's, Otto's and Molly's...to some extent...were relaxing, for the most part played good rock music. But I will always cherish the house/apt parties. Rugby House, house next door like 6xx Lucinda, like 810 Kimberly in the 7 ft basement where Steve Olendorf could put his head between the beams, 9xx Greenbrier I think, corner apt in grey townhouses and I think my 1st party, 106 John. Probably took a few years off my life. but the memories. Falling through the ice on the Kish, walking through cornfields back to Grant North in early fall with a piece of metal like Children of The Corn meets Apocalypse now, with like 5 people following me, watching the OL football player on our floor pee in a guy's room on Kimberly in the basement while he was sleeping with the window open (was a total accident) guy on floor puking on an iguana. Ah, would trade them for nothing.

That is really cool, thanks for sharing. I'll share ridiculous stories in a bit. House parties were awesome.

Such a relatable thread. Not first choice but still had a good time. Came back semi often as an early 30s and younger alumn. Now 43 and I’m Florida not so much.

NIU was always about what you made of it. It was not spoon fed like buddies who went to Iowa, Illinois or other Big Ten schools where even a mediocre effort provided some fantastic experiences. But NIU is a launch pad. Have had a great life. Leadership needs a ton of work. Saving and investing hard to hopefully giving back meaningfully by 50. #thehardway