Mediator called for help: Western and UPI still in negotiations.
From today's Western Courier:
https://westerncourier.com/38863/news/m ... otiations/
Updates to faculty layoff plan and other stuff
Faculty Senate expresses optimism in Board of Trustees’ salary opinion.
From today's McDonough County Voice:
http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/news/2017 ... ry-opinion
WIU Administration Seeks Mediation with Teachers Union.
From Tri-States Public Radio WIUM-FM:
http://tspr.org/post/wiu-administration ... hers-union
From today's McDonough County Voice:
http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/news/2017 ... ry-opinion
WIU Administration Seeks Mediation with Teachers Union.
From Tri-States Public Radio WIUM-FM:
http://tspr.org/post/wiu-administration ... hers-union
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Leatherneck10
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2016 8:32 am
"Work with McDonough District Hospital to expand nursing to a full 4-yr program, not just RN to BSN, taking advantage of one of the largest in demand careers."
Nursing has admitted and graduated students on a full four year curriculum for many years now. When a poster makes such a basic mistake, it's hard to take her ideas seriously.
And we wonder why, throughout her career, she got change back on her two cents.
Nursing has admitted and graduated students on a full four year curriculum for many years now. When a poster makes such a basic mistake, it's hard to take her ideas seriously.
And we wonder why, throughout her career, she got change back on her two cents.
Tere North wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:01 pm#9 needs to be #1 - we are horrid in both the retention and graduation rate. As I've said before, it's all about "fit." As it stands now, except for our student athletes, there's not much that helps build that sense of fit..Neckfansince71 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2017 3:54 pm The first point of Dr.JT's updated strategic plan with activities and programs listed below.
• Stabilize total enrollment of 10,000 students, while remaining dedicated to academic excellence and educational opportunity.
1. Expand enrollment in the High School Admissions Program.
2. Increase student enrollment from the 16-counties closest to the Western Illinois University Macomb and Quad Cities campuses.
3. Increase community college agreements and transfer student enrollment.
4. Achieve a 10% participation rate of currently enrolled students in Centennial Honors College.
5. Engage in corporate student recruitment.
6. Enroll 1,000 international students.
7. Participate in other activities designed to increase undergraduate and graduate student enrollment.
8. Continue to develop innovative strategies to address concerns of price sensitivity and elasticity.
9. Improve retention and graduation rates.
10. Engage in curricular efficiency studies to help examine trends influencing students time-to- degree.
Tere, Leatherface....what do you think? I know these goals need to be fleshed out! Help WIU help itself!
jc
We have core values, in rank order, of (1) academic excellence, (2) educational opportunity, (3) personal growth, and (4) social responsibility. Quit trying to make us an elite cadre of students, e.g., #4 on JT's list. Focus on our history of value #2, educational opportunity, and value #3, personal growth. Be the place where even if you struggled in high school or on your placement tests, be are here to provide the kind of environment that helps you succeed. This still provides value #1, academic excellence, but to be excellent, you can only do it in a few things, not everything. Focus the university.
We have 12 signature programs listed: Accountancy, Agriculture, Biology, Engineering, Forensic Chemistry, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Musical Theatre, Nursing, Recreation/Park/Tourism Administration, Sports Broadcasting, Supply Chain Management, and Teacher Education. Our Teacher Education had declined greatly in terms of our competition, it needs leadership to make it competitive, and work to resolve the huge K-12 teacher shortage. Bring back Summer Music Theater, which was a hallmark program that provided not just our students with opportunity, but brought others to Western. Make these 12 signature our bread and butter, boosting enrollment in them, providing students with the opportunity to work directly with faculty, and use the other programs as interdisciplinary support programs. Master's degrees that support and follow from our Bachelor's programs are fine, but our focus should be on the undergraduate experience.
Also, I disagree that 10K is the ideal number, and actually think Goldfarb's 6K is more inline. Be the best 6K student university, say with 36 undergraduate degree programs in the state! Then the students you attract will truly want to be here, not just came because they could.
That said, as I've learned over the years, when I offer my 2 cents worth, the university gives me change back as they don't like my views as my views do not fit with their status quo, we've always done it this way, mentality.
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Tere North
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:59 pm
[quote=Leatherneck10 post_id=17120 time=1506807411 user_id=227]
"Work with McDonough District Hospital to expand nursing to a full 4-yr program, not just RN to BSN, taking advantage of one of the largest in demand careers."
Nursing has admitted and graduated students on a full four year curriculum for many years now. When a poster makes such a basic mistake, it's hard to take her ideas seriously.
[quote=Neckfansince71 post_id=16851 time=1505336056 user_id=54]
The point is that we do not work in partnership with McDonough District. The forté of our current nursing program is the RN to BSN program that can be completed solely online. The nursing career needs more RNs, something can be completed in 2-years and that we do not offer. We also do not work with any hospitals in the QC.
"Work with McDonough District Hospital to expand nursing to a full 4-yr program, not just RN to BSN, taking advantage of one of the largest in demand careers."
Nursing has admitted and graduated students on a full four year curriculum for many years now. When a poster makes such a basic mistake, it's hard to take her ideas seriously.
[quote=Neckfansince71 post_id=16851 time=1505336056 user_id=54]
The point is that we do not work in partnership with McDonough District. The forté of our current nursing program is the RN to BSN program that can be completed solely online. The nursing career needs more RNs, something can be completed in 2-years and that we do not offer. We also do not work with any hospitals in the QC.
Getting out: Many students leaving Illinois to attend college.
From the Springfield State Journal-Register:
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170930/getti ... nd-college
Western Illinois University’s total student enrollment has declined by 30 percent in the last 10 years.
From the Western Courier:
https://westerncourier.com/38887/news/y ... e-in-9441/
From the Springfield State Journal-Register:
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170930/getti ... nd-college
Western Illinois University’s total student enrollment has declined by 30 percent in the last 10 years.
From the Western Courier:
https://westerncourier.com/38887/news/y ... e-in-9441/
Chicago Tribune Editorial: How to lure college students back to Illinois.
Across Illinois, high school seniors are deep in their quest for the ideal college. They’re visiting campuses and taking tours. They’re poring over college guide books and comparing notes with friends. They’re thinking about what their families can afford and how close — or far — they want to be from home.
Many of those students, however, already have made one decision: They won’t attend college in Illinois.
Why? Several reasons. Public universities in other states often present a better value proposition. Tuition may be lower, state government support may be more stable, and some more specialized campuses elsewhere aren’t trying to be all things to all students. What’s more, in Illinois, many years of choppy finances have forced institutions to cut programs and professors to flee.
Take a look at the accompanying chart: A startling 10 of the state’s 12 public university campuses suffered overall enrollment declines in 2017, some plummeting by double digits. Some have been hemorrhaging students for years but maintaining the same attitude: What, us worry? Nope, not as long as the legislature keeps doling out the cash and not asking too many questions about how well it is spent.
We believe Illinois can rebound and win back students — if state leaders overhaul and consolidate the state’s scattered system. If they stop the Thunderdome death match among universities battling for students in virtually every academic field. If they force colleges to specialize and offer advanced curriculums in the areas where each school can be distinctive. All these universities should share a single goal — to offer Illinois’ young people an array of campuses with common basics but less redundancy in upper-level and graduate programs.
We’re glad to hear that lawmakers in Springfield are listening. State Sen. Chapin Rose and Rep. Dan Brady, both Republicans, are sponsoring a bill that we hope could kick-start this debate. “We have 12 of everything right now,” Rose tells us. “We need to start funding our strengths and stop funding to what we’re not good at. So we’re not subsidizing mediocrity or weakness.”
How to do that? Under the Rose-Brady proposal, the Illinois Board of Higher Education would evaluate campuses and rank their academic programs. It would also rate the campuses’ “economic efficiency.”
The bill goes no further, but we would: We’d use this data to revamp the state’s university system. If a campus excels in engineering, for instance, that school becomes a magnet for engineering students. If a geology or economics program is 12th out of 12, then that should be scrapped so the school can focus on developing the prowess it has already demonstrated in other areas. No more subsidizing mediocrity.
Further consolidating back-offices and purchasing would make sense. The nine separate boards — yes nine — that currently oversee 12 state college campuses should be whittled down to a fraction of that — not because boards are costly, but because they think parochially, not holistically.
Talk of streamlining sends an icy chill through administrators and legislators who fiercely defend their spendy, top-heavy fiefdoms. Some behave as if universities exist primarily to prop up local economies.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has talked about strengthening and rationalizing this scattered system. Governor, dive in. Centralized oversight would jettison duplicate administrators, overhead and curricula. It would let Illinois send more money to classrooms. This is essentially how Wisconsin, California and New York do it. Georgia and several other states are on the same path.
The aim of the Chapin-Brady bill isn’t to downsize Illinois schools; it’s to attract more students to stay in — or come to — Illinois. That starts by demolishing the status quo. “Let’s learn from this whole (budget) mess, and let’s see how we can better apply things in higher ed,” Brady tells us. “If we don’t, the dwindling enrollment numbers are going to continue.”
Many of the students who leave Illinois for out-of-state campuses never return. They don’t come back to take jobs. They don’t return to raise families. They don’t start businesses or lead foundations in Illinois. Student by student, U-Haul by U-Haul, Illinois squanders its future.
Across Illinois, high school seniors are deep in their quest for the ideal college. They’re visiting campuses and taking tours. They’re poring over college guide books and comparing notes with friends. They’re thinking about what their families can afford and how close — or far — they want to be from home.
Many of those students, however, already have made one decision: They won’t attend college in Illinois.
Why? Several reasons. Public universities in other states often present a better value proposition. Tuition may be lower, state government support may be more stable, and some more specialized campuses elsewhere aren’t trying to be all things to all students. What’s more, in Illinois, many years of choppy finances have forced institutions to cut programs and professors to flee.
Take a look at the accompanying chart: A startling 10 of the state’s 12 public university campuses suffered overall enrollment declines in 2017, some plummeting by double digits. Some have been hemorrhaging students for years but maintaining the same attitude: What, us worry? Nope, not as long as the legislature keeps doling out the cash and not asking too many questions about how well it is spent.
We believe Illinois can rebound and win back students — if state leaders overhaul and consolidate the state’s scattered system. If they stop the Thunderdome death match among universities battling for students in virtually every academic field. If they force colleges to specialize and offer advanced curriculums in the areas where each school can be distinctive. All these universities should share a single goal — to offer Illinois’ young people an array of campuses with common basics but less redundancy in upper-level and graduate programs.
We’re glad to hear that lawmakers in Springfield are listening. State Sen. Chapin Rose and Rep. Dan Brady, both Republicans, are sponsoring a bill that we hope could kick-start this debate. “We have 12 of everything right now,” Rose tells us. “We need to start funding our strengths and stop funding to what we’re not good at. So we’re not subsidizing mediocrity or weakness.”
How to do that? Under the Rose-Brady proposal, the Illinois Board of Higher Education would evaluate campuses and rank their academic programs. It would also rate the campuses’ “economic efficiency.”
The bill goes no further, but we would: We’d use this data to revamp the state’s university system. If a campus excels in engineering, for instance, that school becomes a magnet for engineering students. If a geology or economics program is 12th out of 12, then that should be scrapped so the school can focus on developing the prowess it has already demonstrated in other areas. No more subsidizing mediocrity.
Further consolidating back-offices and purchasing would make sense. The nine separate boards — yes nine — that currently oversee 12 state college campuses should be whittled down to a fraction of that — not because boards are costly, but because they think parochially, not holistically.
Talk of streamlining sends an icy chill through administrators and legislators who fiercely defend their spendy, top-heavy fiefdoms. Some behave as if universities exist primarily to prop up local economies.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has talked about strengthening and rationalizing this scattered system. Governor, dive in. Centralized oversight would jettison duplicate administrators, overhead and curricula. It would let Illinois send more money to classrooms. This is essentially how Wisconsin, California and New York do it. Georgia and several other states are on the same path.
The aim of the Chapin-Brady bill isn’t to downsize Illinois schools; it’s to attract more students to stay in — or come to — Illinois. That starts by demolishing the status quo. “Let’s learn from this whole (budget) mess, and let’s see how we can better apply things in higher ed,” Brady tells us. “If we don’t, the dwindling enrollment numbers are going to continue.”
Many of the students who leave Illinois for out-of-state campuses never return. They don’t come back to take jobs. They don’t return to raise families. They don’t start businesses or lead foundations in Illinois. Student by student, U-Haul by U-Haul, Illinois squanders its future.
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Neckfansince71
- Posts: 1181
- Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:06 pm
I think that this is a good idea! It will only make each school stronger and more dedicated to specific areas of study. I think all the schools though will always have an education department! Hope this is done in a manner that makes sense with as little politics as possible..... 
Right.... jc
Right.... jc
I'm not opposed to this, but I don't know that we'll see it happen any time soon.
Scott Lawson - Board AdminWestern Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
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sealhall74
- Posts: 5777
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:18 pm
- Location: Wherever, Windblows
Before attempting this overhaul, would not the logical first step be to put all universities under the same governing structure? I agree with you ST, I don't see it having much immediate impact. Some lawmakers should put together a referendum for next major election on whether or not to create a state-wide "umbrella" system for all public higher education. The way things are now (fighting tooth and nail for new students), the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer.
Embrace the pace of the race.
Prior to 1995, there were three operating systems for the 12 state universities:
University of Illinois Trustees.
Board of Regents.
Board of Governors.
That all changed in 1995 under Governor Jim Edgar when the current system of 9 separate boards was developed.
Governor Bruce Rauner has mentioned that there is too much duplication of services with our current system. Sounds like the motivation is there to make some changes.
University of Illinois Trustees.
Board of Regents.
Board of Governors.
That all changed in 1995 under Governor Jim Edgar when the current system of 9 separate boards was developed.
Governor Bruce Rauner has mentioned that there is too much duplication of services with our current system. Sounds like the motivation is there to make some changes.