(02-07-2023 10:13 PM)jjprender Wrote:  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

Agree 100 percent! I stayed in Dekalb for Spring Break in my Junior year to get ahead on a major term paper that year and it turned out to be one of the best times of my life. Needless to say, I didn't touch that paper all week.

Any experience is what you make of it. You can make excuses that something is not fun or there is nothing to do but if you don't seek it out then it's your fault. There are so many clubs, organizations, or even fraternities/sororities to join at NIU to keep yourself occupied between classes.

I never went home unless it was a major holiday. If you stay on campus and join activities you will find the other people who also don't go home all the time.

A good sign for us, or just further proof that our current administration is lagging behind?

https://www.shawlocal.com/daily-chronicl...ince-2012/

(02-08-2023 04:15 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  A good sign for us, or just further proof that our current administration is lagging behind?

https://www.shawlocal.com/daily-chronicl...ince-2012/

Their baseball stadium is nicer

(02-08-2023 04:15 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  A good sign for us, or just further proof that our current administration is lagging behind?

https://www.shawlocal.com/daily-chronicl...ince-2012/

NIU’s loss is Kishwaukee College’s gain. Kishwaukee is not using COVID as an excuse. They said they worked very hard accomplishing their increase in enrollment. Congrats to them…..and shame on NIU.

(02-08-2023 05:54 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 04:15 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  A good sign for us, or just further proof that our current administration is lagging behind?

https://www.shawlocal.com/daily-chronicl...ince-2012/

NIU’s loss is Kishwaukee College’s gain. Kishwaukee is not using COVID as an excuse. They said they worked very hard accomplishing their increase in enrollment. Congrats to them…..and shame on NIU.

Kish is probably benefiting from the trend towards kids starting out at CC and then transferring to a 4 year. 10 years ago, everyone was pushing a 4 year college as being the only way to be successful in life for all kids. Every school was pushing it and even CPS was giving better grades to high schools who had kids graduate and go on to a 4 year institution vs a 2 year or trade school.

But, in the past few years, with the ridiculously rising costs of college, more and more people have been advising kids to go either to a trade school or CC for a specific program or, if they want to attend university, to go to a CC for 2 years and then transfer because it saves a buttload of money.

Any CC admin with any kind of awareness could take advantage of this.

(02-08-2023 06:55 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 05:54 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 04:15 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  A good sign for us, or just further proof that our current administration is lagging behind?

https://www.shawlocal.com/daily-chronicl...ince-2012/

NIU’s loss is Kishwaukee College’s gain. Kishwaukee is not using COVID as an excuse. They said they worked very hard accomplishing their increase in enrollment. Congrats to them…..and shame on NIU.

Kish is probably benefiting from the trend towards kids starting out at CC and then transferring to a 4 year. 10 years ago, everyone was pushing a 4 year college as being the only way to be successful in life for all kids. Every school was pushing it and even CPS was giving better grades to high schools who had kids graduate and go on to a 4 year institution vs a 2 year or trade school.

But, in the past few years, with the ridiculously rising costs of college, more and more people have been advising kids to go either to a trade school or CC for a specific program or, if they want to attend university, to go to a CC for 2 years and then transfer because it saves a buttload of money.

Any CC admin with any kind of awareness could take advantage of this.

30 years ago Kish, like many CC, was an outlet for some to take easier classes and have them transfer over to NIU. And for some, like my roommate, a place for some to go when they dropped out of NIU for a semester.

Don't see the comparison of a university and cc, especially in the generalization that one is successful and one is not. But if we are going there, I think the above take is a sensible one. Again, look at the enrollment breakdown and academics and that will fill in some of the gaps. A lot of answers to the why.

Enrollment decline is the end result, but many are in denial of why it is happening.. Yes, student numbers in many states have dropped, and Illinois’ inability to have population growth is partly the cause.

But truthfully, the area around campus has gone downhill. The campus didn’t have enough “new” to compensate, and when enrollment dropped housing around the area went to low income instead of “poor college student”.

Driving into a basketball game one night, I stopped for gas at the 7-11. Being asked for money, seeing what had to have been a prostitute….we will just say it wasn’t what I remember 25 years ago.. There is a very limited bar scene compared to other (especially Big Ten schools), and the area just flat out looks depressed.

It is sad to me, but it has snowballed into the place it is at now. At this point I don’t see how it overcomes this unless a Dianne Hendricks to Beloit situation happens and a benefactor throws millions of dollars into the area (and Beloit is still not even that great).

I am a diehard NIU fan and I want the school to succeed. Heck, I want it to be like it was 20 plus years ago. But at this point if my kid wants my input of where he should go to school….I don’t know if I would say go to NIU. I have seen too many other campuses (both big and small) and just don’t see the “college life experience” being what it used to be.

I said my peace. Go Huskies! I am sorry I had to get this off of my shoulders. Now, I hope this gets buried and overlooked but glad I stated some of my thoughts

(02-10-2023 10:36 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Enrollment decline is the end result, but many are in denial of why it is happening.. Yes, student numbers in many states have dropped, and Illinois’ inability to have population growth is partly the cause.

But truthfully, the area around campus has gone downhill. The campus didn’t have enough “new” to compensate, and when enrollment dropped housing around the area went to low income instead of “poor college student”.

Driving into a basketball game one night, I stopped for gas at the 7-11. Being asked for money, seeing what had to have been a prostitute….we will just say it wasn’t what I remember 25 years ago.. There is a very limited bar scene compared to other (especially Big Ten schools), and the area just flat out looks depressed.

It is sad to me, but it has snowballed into the place it is at now. At this point I don’t see how it overcomes this unless a Dianne Hendricks to Beloit situation happens and a benefactor throws millions of dollars into the area (and Beloit is still not even that great).

I am a diehard NIU fan and I want the school to succeed. Heck, I want it to be like it was 20 plus years ago. But at this point if my kid wants my input of where he should go to school….I don’t know if I would say go to NIU. I have seen too many other campuses (both big and small) and just don’t see the “college life experience” being what it used to be.

I said my peace. Go Huskies! I am sorry I had to get this off of my shoulders. Now, I hope this gets buried and overlooked but glad I stated some of my thoughts

Over 104k left Illinois last fiscal year. As Illinois population declines, the ability to maintain public schools gets harder.illinois population is down 4.3% from it's high in 2013. Eventually consolidation needs to be done. This is a reality and a political time bomb for politicians. 85 and sunny in Florida and oday

(02-06-2023 10:34 PM)Rawdog10 Wrote:  I think a lot of the criticisms directed towards the university or President Freeman are misguided. Enrollment is going down across the country for systemic reasons unrelated to specific schools. There’s nothing that the school or Freeman can do about the way people look at college in general now. President Freeman also walked into a nightmare financial situation. The school was kneecapped for years under Rauner and it still doesn’t get the funding it deserves.

That logic does not hold water. Your 2 biggest rivals ISU and UIC have weathered the storm much better with the same funding challenges, so drop that blame it on Rauner line just like the Covid one. ISU and UIC are getting all the Suburban students that stay in state and did not get into U of I. NIU is getting students from really bad city high schools now. It is a total cop out not have blame laid on the current and past NIU administrations. Freeman is a weak and ineffective leader. She is paid an ton of money to just sit around and let NIU die. NIU should have been addressing the issues plaguing it years ago. Instead you get highly paid Diversity officers added to the already bloated Administration.

(02-10-2023 11:50 AM)Klake1987 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 10:36 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Enrollment decline is the end result, but many are in denial of why it is happening.. Yes, student numbers in many states have dropped, and Illinois’ inability to have population growth is partly the cause.

But truthfully, the area around campus has gone downhill. The campus didn’t have enough “new” to compensate, and when enrollment dropped housing around the area went to low income instead of “poor college student”.

Driving into a basketball game one night, I stopped for gas at the 7-11. Being asked for money, seeing what had to have been a prostitute….we will just say it wasn’t what I remember 25 years ago.. There is a very limited bar scene compared to other (especially Big Ten schools), and the area just flat out looks depressed.

It is sad to me, but it has snowballed into the place it is at now. At this point I don’t see how it overcomes this unless a Dianne Hendricks to Beloit situation happens and a benefactor throws millions of dollars into the area (and Beloit is still not even that great).

I am a diehard NIU fan and I want the school to succeed. Heck, I want it to be like it was 20 plus years ago. But at this point if my kid wants my input of where he should go to school….I don’t know if I would say go to NIU. I have seen too many other campuses (both big and small) and just don’t see the “college life experience” being what it used to be.

I said my peace. Go Huskies! I am sorry I had to get this off of my shoulders. Now, I hope this gets buried and overlooked but glad I stated some of my thoughts

Over 104k left Illinois last fiscal year. As Illinois population declines, the ability to maintain public schools gets harder.illinois population is down 4.3% from it's high in 2013. Eventually consolidation needs to be done. This is a reality and a political time bomb for politicians. 85 and sunny in Florida and oday

So the population of Illinois is down 4%……well, our enrollment is down over FORTY percent……not hardly an explanation for our enrollment decline.

A positive sign anyway...

Subject: "Concerts are Back!"

https://ats.eccmp.com/ats/msg.aspx?sg1=8...332499f806

(02-10-2023 01:11 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 11:50 AM)Klake1987 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 10:36 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Enrollment decline is the end result, but many are in denial of why it is happening.. Yes, student numbers in many states have dropped, and Illinois’ inability to have population growth is partly the cause.

But truthfully, the area around campus has gone downhill. The campus didn’t have enough “new” to compensate, and when enrollment dropped housing around the area went to low income instead of “poor college student”.

Driving into a basketball game one night, I stopped for gas at the 7-11. Being asked for money, seeing what had to have been a prostitute….we will just say it wasn’t what I remember 25 years ago.. There is a very limited bar scene compared to other (especially Big Ten schools), and the area just flat out looks depressed.

It is sad to me, but it has snowballed into the place it is at now. At this point I don’t see how it overcomes this unless a Dianne Hendricks to Beloit situation happens and a benefactor throws millions of dollars into the area (and Beloit is still not even that great).

I am a diehard NIU fan and I want the school to succeed. Heck, I want it to be like it was 20 plus years ago. But at this point if my kid wants my input of where he should go to school….I don’t know if I would say go to NIU. I have seen too many other campuses (both big and small) and just don’t see the “college life experience” being what it used to be.

I said my peace. Go Huskies! I am sorry I had to get this off of my shoulders. Now, I hope this gets buried and overlooked but glad I stated some of my thoughts

Over 104k left Illinois last fiscal year. As Illinois population declines, the ability to maintain public schools gets harder.illinois population is down 4.3% from it's high in 2013. Eventually consolidation needs to be done. This is a reality and a political time bomb for politicians. 85 and sunny in Florida and oday

So the population of Illinois is down 4%……well, our enrollment is down over FORTY percent……not hardly an explanation for our enrollment decline.

Illinois universities in state tuition is one of highest in nation. Not a good deal.

(02-10-2023 02:23 PM)Klake1987 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 01:11 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 11:50 AM)Klake1987 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 10:36 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Enrollment decline is the end result, but many are in denial of why it is happening.. Yes, student numbers in many states have dropped, and Illinois’ inability to have population growth is partly the cause.

But truthfully, the area around campus has gone downhill. The campus didn’t have enough “new” to compensate, and when enrollment dropped housing around the area went to low income instead of “poor college student”.

Driving into a basketball game one night, I stopped for gas at the 7-11. Being asked for money, seeing what had to have been a prostitute….we will just say it wasn’t what I remember 25 years ago.. There is a very limited bar scene compared to other (especially Big Ten schools), and the area just flat out looks depressed.

It is sad to me, but it has snowballed into the place it is at now. At this point I don’t see how it overcomes this unless a Dianne Hendricks to Beloit situation happens and a benefactor throws millions of dollars into the area (and Beloit is still not even that great).

I am a diehard NIU fan and I want the school to succeed. Heck, I want it to be like it was 20 plus years ago. But at this point if my kid wants my input of where he should go to school….I don’t know if I would say go to NIU. I have seen too many other campuses (both big and small) and just don’t see the “college life experience” being what it used to be.

I said my peace. Go Huskies! I am sorry I had to get this off of my shoulders. Now, I hope this gets buried and overlooked but glad I stated some of my thoughts

Over 104k left Illinois last fiscal year. As Illinois population declines, the ability to maintain public schools gets harder.illinois population is down 4.3% from it's high in 2013. Eventually consolidation needs to be done. This is a reality and a political time bomb for politicians. 85 and sunny in Florida and oday

So the population of Illinois is down 4%……well, our enrollment is down over FORTY percent……not hardly an explanation for our enrollment decline.

Illinois universities in state tuition is one of highest in nation. Not a good deal.

While true, it has not negatively impacted ISU or UIC.

(02-10-2023 01:11 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 11:50 AM)Klake1987 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 10:36 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Enrollment decline is the end result, but many are in denial of why it is happening.. Yes, student numbers in many states have dropped, and Illinois’ inability to have population growth is partly the cause.

But truthfully, the area around campus has gone downhill. The campus didn’t have enough “new” to compensate, and when enrollment dropped housing around the area went to low income instead of “poor college student”.

Driving into a basketball game one night, I stopped for gas at the 7-11. Being asked for money, seeing what had to have been a prostitute….we will just say it wasn’t what I remember 25 years ago.. There is a very limited bar scene compared to other (especially Big Ten schools), and the area just flat out looks depressed.

It is sad to me, but it has snowballed into the place it is at now. At this point I don’t see how it overcomes this unless a Dianne Hendricks to Beloit situation happens and a benefactor throws millions of dollars into the area (and Beloit is still not even that great).

I am a diehard NIU fan and I want the school to succeed. Heck, I want it to be like it was 20 plus years ago. But at this point if my kid wants my input of where he should go to school….I don’t know if I would say go to NIU. I have seen too many other campuses (both big and small) and just don’t see the “college life experience” being what it used to be.

I said my peace. Go Huskies! I am sorry I had to get this off of my shoulders. Now, I hope this gets buried and overlooked but glad I stated some of my thoughts

Over 104k left Illinois last fiscal year. As Illinois population declines, the ability to maintain public schools gets harder.illinois population is down 4.3% from it's high in 2013. Eventually consolidation needs to be done. This is a reality and a political time bomb for politicians. 85 and sunny in Florida and oday

So the population of Illinois is down 4%……well, our enrollment is down over FORTY percent……not hardly an explanation for our enrollment decline.

Exactly. Per my original comment, the drop in Illinois doesn’t help, but the NW side of DeKalb looking like a ****hole is the main culprit. There, I said it. This is the reason for a 40% drop, the area around campus is awful and not inviting to a 18 year old looking to move away from home

Since I finally said what no one wants to admit, that the area around campus is awful and full of low income housing. There is a fix, but it’s not realistic. Knock down all of university village, Eden’s Garden, and much of the unkept apartments…then build nice brew pubs, upscale apartments, restaurants, etc….then enrollment will go back up. Never going to happen. Plus, it’s cruel as where do those who need low income housing go? They were already pushed out due to the same sprawl (example: UIC, which knocked down the Robert Taylor homes and the Maxwell Street area to do EXACTLY what I just proposed)

(02-10-2023 02:31 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 02:23 PM)Klake1987 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 01:11 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 11:50 AM)Klake1987 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 10:36 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Enrollment decline is the end result, but many are in denial of why it is happening.. Yes, student numbers in many states have dropped, and Illinois’ inability to have population growth is partly the cause.

But truthfully, the area around campus has gone downhill. The campus didn’t have enough “new” to compensate, and when enrollment dropped housing around the area went to low income instead of “poor college student”.

Driving into a basketball game one night, I stopped for gas at the 7-11. Being asked for money, seeing what had to have been a prostitute….we will just say it wasn’t what I remember 25 years ago.. There is a very limited bar scene compared to other (especially Big Ten schools), and the area just flat out looks depressed.

It is sad to me, but it has snowballed into the place it is at now. At this point I don’t see how it overcomes this unless a Dianne Hendricks to Beloit situation happens and a benefactor throws millions of dollars into the area (and Beloit is still not even that great).

I am a diehard NIU fan and I want the school to succeed. Heck, I want it to be like it was 20 plus years ago. But at this point if my kid wants my input of where he should go to school….I don’t know if I would say go to NIU. I have seen too many other campuses (both big and small) and just don’t see the “college life experience” being what it used to be.

I said my peace. Go Huskies! I am sorry I had to get this off of my shoulders. Now, I hope this gets buried and overlooked but glad I stated some of my thoughts

Over 104k left Illinois last fiscal year. As Illinois population declines, the ability to maintain public schools gets harder.illinois population is down 4.3% from it's high in 2013. Eventually consolidation needs to be done. This is a reality and a political time bomb for politicians. 85 and sunny in Florida and oday

So the population of Illinois is down 4%……well, our enrollment is down over FORTY percent……not hardly an explanation for our enrollment decline.

Illinois universities in state tuition is one of highest in nation. Not a good deal.

While true, it has not negatively impacted ISU or UIC.

Tell me why? I keep hearing this. Do you look at the academics? Majors offered? Student demographics? Education value? Location?

My god, when I just see these comments makes me wonder what education people did get at NIU. Just make a blanket statement. With all the access to the internet, all the comments people throughout this thread have made...other threads....over the years, this is what we have to hear time and time again.



I may not remember every way to do matrices in ECON 394 or every lesson in POLS 301/302 or whatever Gordon Hilton taught. But I learned about variables and outcome. How to make a reasonable conclusion and not just contradict, dispute and pick and chose ones I don't like without facing reality and facts.

My only hope is that some are being sarcastic.

(02-10-2023 06:04 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 02:31 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 02:23 PM)Klake1987 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 01:11 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 11:50 AM)Klake1987 Wrote:  Over 104k left Illinois last fiscal year. As Illinois population declines, the ability to maintain public schools gets harder.illinois population is down 4.3% from it's high in 2013. Eventually consolidation needs to be done. This is a reality and a political time bomb for politicians. 85 and sunny in Florida and oday

So the population of Illinois is down 4%……well, our enrollment is down over FORTY percent……not hardly an explanation for our enrollment decline.

Illinois universities in state tuition is one of highest in nation. Not a good deal.

While true, it has not negatively impacted ISU or UIC.

Tell me why? I keep hearing this. Do you look at the academics? Majors offered? Student demographics? Education value? Location?

My god, when I just see these comments makes me wonder what education people did get at NIU. Just make a blanket statement. With all the access to the internet, all the comments people throughout this thread have made...other threads....over the years, this is what we have to hear time and time again.



I may not remember every way to do matrices in ECON 394 or every lesson in POLS 301/302 or whatever Gordon Hilton taught. But I learned about variables and outcome. How to make a reasonable conclusion and not just contradict, dispute and pick and chose ones I don't like without facing reality and facts.

My only hope is that some are being sarcastic.

Okay, at Toyota prices we can give you a tan colored Daewoo with a plastic bag for the rear passenger window.

(02-10-2023 04:05 PM)JB04 Wrote:  then build nice brew pubs, upscale apartments, restaurants, etc….then enrollment will go back up.

Upscale apartments and college student's don't belong in the same story, let alone sentence. Most college kids can't afford the dump they live in now.

(02-13-2023 11:11 AM)calvin12 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 04:05 PM)JB04 Wrote:  then build nice brew pubs, upscale apartments, restaurants, etc….then enrollment will go back up.

Upscale apartments and college student's don't belong in the same story, let alone sentence. Most college kids can't afford the dump they live in now.

Not true at all. To compete with other colleges, NIU needs nicer living facilities like the other colleges have. Long gone are the times where a college kid lived in squalor.