Leatherneck Nation

leatherneckcountry wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:27 am

Tere North wrote: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:28 pm

ST_Lawson wrote: Mon Jul 24, 2017 3:44 pm Nice rundown of what all has happened over the last few years: Moving WIU Forward

Internally, I sure hope the administration has more honest insight and understands that failure to act led to the 10+ year decline in student enrollment, rather than highlighting the evil budget and making excuses while looking to celebrate Western isn't in last place.

almost every school in Il had the sae problem so it's not just a WIU issue.

Almost every is the problem. What is it that the ones with increasing enrollment are doing right. That is what we should be focusing on instead of saying, well, everyone was down.

I'm sure it has been posted somewhere but I wonder if student enrollment throughout the country has went down as a whole because I have meant several younger people who haven't went to school and they have told me the reason that they didn't go was cause a bachelor degree is almost useless many jobs in Macomb for example if you have a bachelor you are considered over qualified or you need a masters I have just a bachelor and I have personally been having this issue myself.

leatherneckcountry wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 1:24 pm I'm sure it has been posted somewhere but I wonder if student enrollment throughout the country has went down as a whole because I have meant several younger people who haven't went to school and they have told me the reason that they didn't go was cause a bachelor degree is almost useless many jobs in Macomb for example if you have a bachelor you are considered over qualified or you need a masters I have just a bachelor and I have personally been having this issue myself.

I saw a chart yesterday showing a downturn in public school enrollment that started in 2014. I will see if I can find it again. Couple that with the risk of being saddled with $25-50K (or even more for a private school) in student loan debt for those actually pursuing a B.* and Houston, we have a serious problem. Regarding my chosen career field (computers, programming, and technology), I know that today's kids are coming out of high school with all of the math and computer skills that I brought to my first job, probably even more. Would employers be willing to take them in out of HS? I would think that many would, especially in the private sector. Public sector where I was, not so often although I did work with several old-timers who had no college at all, started out as punch card and tape operators and upgraded their skill set over time in OJT fashion to achieve the same job and pay status as myself.

Actually, total US enrollment has been decreasing since at least 2010. Here's an interesting article talking about some reasons and where it's hitting hardest: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/ar ... ds/534915/

It is better to lead than follow when confronted with adversity. I am impressed with what Southern New Hampshire has done in response to the enrollment decline. Yes, they are a private school. Yes, they play at the DII level. Yes, they advertise nationally. And yes, they are making most of it happen with online programs that offer learners the utmost in flexibility. In my state of Virginia, there is rapidly growing interest in stay-at-home schooling options such as K12. Not perfect, but for those students, continuing on to college from home in online programs is a natural next step. IMHO, this is the future of education for a good portion of society. For those who want more for their money and can afford it, there will always be traditional "Ivy League" experiences.

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/educ ... ecome.html

sealhall74 wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:29 pm It is better to lead than follow when confronted with adversity.

Indeed, just as Truman State did on the ground in Missouri, as you noted, Southern New Hampshire is doing it in online education, as well as some very unique fundraising efforts.

Western Receives First Payment Under New State Budget.

From Tri-States Public Radio WIUM-FM:
http://tspr.org/post/western-receives-f ... &utm_term=

"Guarded optimism": WIU President Jack Thomas confirms money receipt, outlines road ahead.

From today's McDonough County Voice:
http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/news/2017 ... d-optimism

WIU President: 'State of the University is okay'.

From Thursday night's WGEM-TV News:
http://www.wgem.com/story/36162364/2017 ... ty-is-okay

The State of Western Illinois University.

From Tri-States Public Radio WIUM-FM:
http://tspr.org/post/state-western-illinois-university