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Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:37 pm
by rocki
leatherneckcountry wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:54 pm
wiu712 wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:09 pm In response to Governor JB Pritzker’s decision to pull the names of two recent Western Illinois University Board of Trustees appointees just hours before their scheduled confirmation hearing, State Representative Norine Hammond has issued the following statement:

“On Wednesday evening, I learned of a very serious situation that impacts the future of Western Illinois University. Just hours before the scheduled WIU Board of Trustees meeting on July 11, two appointed, yet unconfirmed, members of that board learned that their names had pulled from their appointments. This situation and the circumstances that have lead to this point are disappointing and, quite frankly, disgusting.

“As with hundreds of other board appointees across the state, these individuals were selected by Governor JB Pritzker and were seated on the Board of Trustees, pending confirmation by the Senate Confirmation Committee. Unfortunately, this committee has failed to act upon a large backlog of confirmations in a meaningful way, leaving our entire WIU board vulnerable to retaliatory action by those in the highest levels of our state government. As unconfirmed members, they can be removed from this board at the first sign that they might not fall in line with those with the power to remove them. This reality compromises their ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of the body they serve.

“The scenario that I just explained is what has occurred here at WIU this week. As mentioned, two individuals had their names removed by the governor’s office hours before their scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. These two highly qualified individuals were deserving of their position and sincere in their desire to see Western succeed. One is a WIU alum who has achieved great success in the area of finance, a skill that would benefit our University greatly. The other is retired from a long, dedicated career serving the WIU community with great success. Keep in mind that these individuals were appointed by the governor no more than 4 months ago.

“While I am disappointed with the governor’s decision to remove these two individuals, I think the Pritzker administration has been subjected to a campaign of misinformation from a group of individuals who seek to undermine the future of WIU for their own personal benefit. These individuals must be identified and dealt with appropriately. WIU’s Board of Trustees, like all independent boards across the state, must retain the autonomy that is critical to guiding the University to a prosperous future.”
I’m a huge Norine supporter but I disagree with her on this one just cause someone has long ties to something doesn’t mean that it has there best interest at heart.
On the other hand, they absolutely could have the best interest of WIU at heart, but it doesn't line up with the governors. I'll admit it, I don't trust Pritzker any further than I could throw him - and that's not far at all. He doesn't appear to have anyone's interests at heart except himself and his cronies. We don't need a BOT that knuckles under to the governor's whims. He's a disaster, in my opinion.

Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:39 pm
by Western_101
rocki wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:37 pm
leatherneckcountry wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:54 pm
wiu712 wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:09 pm In response to Governor JB Pritzker’s decision to pull the names of two recent Western Illinois University Board of Trustees appointees just hours before their scheduled confirmation hearing, State Representative Norine Hammond has issued the following statement:

“On Wednesday evening, I learned of a very serious situation that impacts the future of Western Illinois University. Just hours before the scheduled WIU Board of Trustees meeting on July 11, two appointed, yet unconfirmed, members of that board learned that their names had pulled from their appointments. This situation and the circumstances that have lead to this point are disappointing and, quite frankly, disgusting.

“As with hundreds of other board appointees across the state, these individuals were selected by Governor JB Pritzker and were seated on the Board of Trustees, pending confirmation by the Senate Confirmation Committee. Unfortunately, this committee has failed to act upon a large backlog of confirmations in a meaningful way, leaving our entire WIU board vulnerable to retaliatory action by those in the highest levels of our state government. As unconfirmed members, they can be removed from this board at the first sign that they might not fall in line with those with the power to remove them. This reality compromises their ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of the body they serve.

“The scenario that I just explained is what has occurred here at WIU this week. As mentioned, two individuals had their names removed by the governor’s office hours before their scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. These two highly qualified individuals were deserving of their position and sincere in their desire to see Western succeed. One is a WIU alum who has achieved great success in the area of finance, a skill that would benefit our University greatly. The other is retired from a long, dedicated career serving the WIU community with great success. Keep in mind that these individuals were appointed by the governor no more than 4 months ago.

“While I am disappointed with the governor’s decision to remove these two individuals, I think the Pritzker administration has been subjected to a campaign of misinformation from a group of individuals who seek to undermine the future of WIU for their own personal benefit. These individuals must be identified and dealt with appropriately. WIU’s Board of Trustees, like all independent boards across the state, must retain the autonomy that is critical to guiding the University to a prosperous future.”
I’m a huge Norine supporter but I disagree with her on this one just cause someone has long ties to something doesn’t mean that it has there best interest at heart.
On the other hand, they absolutely could have the best interest of WIU at heart, but it doesn't line up with the governors. I'll admit it, I don't trust Pritzker any further than I could throw him - and that's not far at all. He doesn't appear to have anyone's interests at heart except himself and his cronies. We don't need a BOT that knuckles under to the governor's whims. He's a disaster, in my opinion.
The use of the word "disaster" certainly has gained popularity. It is one of Trump's very favorite words in his extremely limited vocabulary.

Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 8:22 pm
by wiu712
Chicago Tribune editorial calls on Pritzker to do an over-haul of the state university system.

Editorial: Pritzker, and his capital plan, can drive the re-invention of Illinois’ public universities.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/ ... story.html

Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 8:28 pm
by Tere North
wiu712 wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 8:22 pm Chicago Tribune editorial calls on Pritzker to do an over-haul of the state university system.

Editorial: Pritzker, and his capital plan, can drive the re-invention of Illinois’ public universities.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/ ... story.html
Absolutely what is needed. What worked before, doesn't work today unless you are one of the elite universities.

You need to be able to clearly make a case for why students should choose Western. Being one of the crowd is not enough.

Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 8:24 am
by rocki
RedNeck wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:39 pm
rocki wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:37 pm
leatherneckcountry wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:54 pm I’m a huge Norine supporter but I disagree with her on this one just cause someone has long ties to something doesn’t mean that it has there best interest at heart.
On the other hand, they absolutely could have the best interest of WIU at heart, but it doesn't line up with the governors. I'll admit it, I don't trust Pritzker any further than I could throw him - and that's not far at all. He doesn't appear to have anyone's interests at heart except himself and his cronies. We don't need a BOT that knuckles under to the governor's whims. He's a disaster, in my opinion.
The use of the word "disaster" certainly has gained popularity. It is one of Trump's very favorite words in his extremely limited vocabulary.
Ha! I figured "disaster" was the polite way of saying what he is.......................

Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 8:35 am
by wiu712
This is the main point from the Chicago Tribune's editorial:

What should be done to improve school performance and attract more students? Pritzker, a businessman who surely sees that many of the universities have lost their luster, can demand that they specialize in certain areas of academic focus. Sure, let each offer some courses in all major disciplines, but concentrate upper-level offerings in each field at one or two campuses.

Pritzker also can demand answers to questions that boards and administrators always duck: Should some of Illinois’ dwindling universities merge? Given demographic trends, should any of them be mothballed? Should one or two evolve into, say, residential community colleges with two-year career training?

These questions haven’t gotten a serious hearing. That’s partly because the schools are too busy competing with one another for scarce funding, and partly because Illinois’ higher ed industry is more interested in self-perpetuation than in student-focused reinvention.

As is, the schools have little incentive to coordinate or differentiate by concentrating their advanced degree programs in distinctive academic fields. That’s why you get so much unimaginative overlap, such as both Eastern Illinois University and Western Illinois now in line to get $100 million science buildings. The rationale is that both schools need new science buildings … to continue doing business as usual. Never mind that, at both universities, enrollment has plummeted.

Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 9:28 am
by sealhall74
I will go out on a Willow tree limb and bet $100 that the majority of good folks in Charleston, Macomb, and Carbondale would oppose far-reaching changes to the current University system.

Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 10:51 am
by Leatherneck10
RedNeck wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:39 pm
rocki wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:37 pm
leatherneckcountry wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:54 pm I’m a huge Norine supporter but I disagree with her on this one just cause someone has long ties to something doesn’t mean that it has there best interest at heart.
On the other hand, they absolutely could have the best interest of WIU at heart, but it doesn't line up with the governors. I'll admit it, I don't trust Pritzker any further than I could throw him - and that's not far at all. He doesn't appear to have anyone's interests at heart except himself and his cronies. We don't need a BOT that knuckles under to the governor's whims. He's a disaster, in my opinion.
The use of the word "disaster" certainly has gained popularity. It is one of Trump's very favorite words in his extremely limited vocabulary.
He's a 'disaster' who just signed $200 million in new capital funding for Western. As opposed to the previous disaster who starved WIU into this crisis by pulling tens of millions of operating funds, with no time to plan for it.

Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 11:02 am
by ST_Lawson
Leatherneck10 wrote: Mon Jul 15, 2019 10:51 am He's a 'disaster' who just signed $200 million in new capital funding for Western. As opposed to the previous disaster who starved WIU into this crisis by pulling tens of millions of operating funds, with no time to plan for it.
this ↑

I'm not saying Pritzker is going to be some amazing governor that's going to do wonders for the state, but by all appearances so far, he's done a much better job than the previous guy who just wanted to starve many of the universities into nonexistence (or privatization).

Re: A New Beginning has Begun

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 12:34 pm
by sealhall74
I wish the gov would do something about the high property taxes in Illinois. Complicates my home finding process. Do I put up with the high property taxes along with the benefit of zero state income tax on my retirement or do I settle for the Davenport/Bettendorf area? Yes, I am embarking on MY new beginning and I could be seeing a lot more football and basketball games sometime soon.