Leatherneck Nation

Community speaks at BOT meeting.

From today's Western Courier:
https://westerncourier.com/41327/news/c ... show123987

wiu712 wrote: ↑Wed May 02, 2018 8:24 am From Mayor Mike Inman's "State of the City" address:
WIU enrollment dropped from 11,368 in 2006 to 8,963 in 2017. The mayor said that is a 22 percent decline. He said that state appropriation for the university has declined by 33 percent.

Wow, I can hear the spin coming. The State cut our funding 33%, but we were so proactive, enrollment only dropped 22% for a net 11% increase.

From today's McDonough County Voice:

Faculty, staff weigh in on issues at WIU Board of Trustees meeting.
http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/news/2018 ... es-meeting

President Jack Thomas updates the Faculty Senate on financial matters.
http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/news/2018 ... al-matters

Simmering Tensions at WIU BOT Meeting.

From Tri-States Public Radio WIUM-FM:
http://tspr.org/post/simmering-tensions-wiu-bot-meeting

wiu712 wrote: ↑Fri May 04, 2018 6:08 pm Simmering Tensions at WIU BOT Meeting.

From Tri-States Public Radio WIUM-FM:
http://tspr.org/post/simmering-tensions-wiu-bot-meeting

Yep, UPI wants what they want and then expect everyone else to divvy up what's left. Sorry, we simply have too many faculty for the number of students we have. What used to be a 17:1 ratio is now 13:1, and if enrollment continues it's trend, closing in on 10:1.

Yes, it would hurt the non-tenured track, but the only way I can see surviving is to eliminate all non-tenure track positions and force the tenure track faculty to actually teach. This would also bring our student:teacher ratio back to a more reasonable about 15:1 ratio. In addition, all faculty should be limited to a max 10-month contract unless excess is paid for by external funds. Chairs have already been cut to 11-month contracts as administrative employees, and many administrative positions are already cut back to 10-month contracts. Why on earth are library faculty predominantly 12-month contract with 0 reaching responsibility, with support staff being the primary ones who provide library assistance.

Admissions director Seth Miner is jumping ship after less than two years for a position at New Mexico State.

Jason Woods, associate vice president for student services at Western Illinois University, has been named interim director of the WIU Office of Admissions, effective July 1.

Also:

William Polley, interim associate dean of the Western Illinois University College of Business and Technology, has been named interim vice president for administrative services. Polley, who will replace Matt Bierman, will serve in the interim role through Dec. 31. A national search will be held.

Based on Miner's comments this week, I'm guessing next year's enrollment numbers are going to be real bad. Praying for the administration and faculty leaders to figure out drastic cuts and a bold new vision for Western before it's too late.

Also though, Jason Woods and Dr. Polley are good, intelligent, dedicated guys that will serve WIU well.

What did Seth have to say? jc

Its time for the faculty contract to get settled one way or another so WIU can get moving again. WIU can't keep shooting its self in the foot if it wants to successfully begin the process of healing and recovery! The ill advised comments from faculty who created "concern" with their graduation comments really created a PR problem for every office trying to "right" the ship! Gotta get this solved!!

Neckfansince71 wrote: ↑Sun May 06, 2018 10:13 am What did Seth have to say? jc

Read the TSPR article from above. Throw on top of that he's bailing, it can't be good.