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rocki wrote:
What is the difference between this and what Jack Thomas was trying to do? I can understand it if the university holds strict standards for "under served" students, but I don't see any point in just adding kids because they have been "under served". They still need to be ready to uphold their end of the deal - attend classes, get passing grades, and be an asset to the school. Funding kids who don't know how to study and go to college is just throwing money down the toilet, IMO. Are they proposing an "Introduction to College" course of study, perhaps?
We have that already, First Year Experience and UNIV 100
That's great. How long has it been around? I just don't want to see Western take another nose dive like it did when Thomas was working "his program". It isn't good for WIU or Macomb.
At least since 2008.
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Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
That's great. How long has it been around? I just don't want to see Western take another nose dive like it did when Thomas was working "his program". It isn't good for WIU or Macomb.
At least since 2008.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wow. Longer than I'd have guessed. Are you aware of whether it has been well utilized? It's really tragic to think we've been on the downward spiral with something like this in place.
rocki wrote:
That's great. How long has it been around? I just don't want to see Western take another nose dive like it did when Thomas was working "his program". It isn't good for WIU or Macomb.
At least since 2008.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wow. Longer than I'd have guessed. Are you aware of whether it has been well utilized? It's really tragic to think we've been on the downward spiral with something like this in place.
It hasn’t really been shown to help much actually. I think the biggest reason for the downward spiral was the decrease in funding since around 2000 (then the budget crisis) leading to a decrease in confidence and all the rumors that the school wouldn’t be around in a few years.
If the bill goes through to improve funding for the state universities, that will help greatly on that front and hopefully improve enrollment.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
That's great. How long has it been around? I just don't want to see Western take another nose dive like it did when Thomas was working "his program". It isn't good for WIU or Macomb.
At least since 2008.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I had to take FYE class when I started my undergrad in Fall of 11', and honestly it was one of biggest wastes of time out of anything I did at WIU for either my Bacholer's or Master's degrees. From what I remember, it was basically a class where your grade was based on simply showing up to class on time, and doing class activities such as going to Malpass and taking a tour of the Library, learning about how to utilize GoWest buses to get around Macomb, going over different studying methods and the importance of not cramming before tests, how to properly communicate with Professor's via email, and so on. The students who would've survived college just fine on there own were the ones who did show up, and the ones who probably did need the extra coaching and hand holding through their 1st semester, are the ones that didn't show up for class, and thus probably failed. Maybe there are people out their thought these classes were worth while, but to me, it was a waist of my money and time that could have been spent on a class actually related to my degree, or hours available for my part time job. I also think how things went with overall student retention during Jack Thomas' term as President also show how effective programs like the FYE classes were.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin