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Re: The Imperial Illini

uiucleader — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:46:14 -0000

Bill -

Who are the UI's peers then? Check your facts, dude!

The UI certainly doesnt compete with most of the Big Ten (as Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan are quite a jump up from the other B10 universities, save Northwestern which is private).

The UI receives more in research funding from the NSF than any school in the country. They just received two very competitive grants from BP ($100 million) to fund genomic research and NSF (+$200 million) to fund the fastest computer in the world. The Accounting, Psych, Engineering (all of them), Physics, Chemistry, etc. are top 5 in the nation.

UI is certainly not Harvard, but you cannot deny that it is one of the elite public schools. Check any rankings, regardless of the criteria, and UI is near the top.

Re: The Imperial Illini

uiucleader — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:34:56 -0000

There are three Trustees (one from each campus), but only one has a binding vote. The other two have advisory votes. The governor chooses the voting Student Trustee.

During this incident (last spring), the UIS Trustee had the official vote.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Fan of the Game — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:23:05 -0000

- Trustee at another University - Tuesday, Oct 16, 07 @ 6:54 pm:

These posts havenâ€™t really touched on the real issue. The state has dramatically reduced higher ed funding the last few years. As a result, tuitions have risen dramatically, student debt is rising, parents are having to work harder to help out their kids and faculty salaries at most Illinois higher ed institutions are below the median.
-------------------------------------------------
This is the real issue. Under the current administration, state support for higher education has literally regressed. Without funding, our universities have a difficult time encouraging the best minds to teach, and all institutions, universities and community colleges alike, put more burden on the student.

We make the state unattractive for business through taxes and fees. We make it unattractive because we don't use our resources to promote an educated workforce, and people wonder why Illinois has lagged during the latest economic boom.

Re: The Imperial Illini

annon — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 07:22:52 -0000

They are trustees's for god sakes. The Uof I is an OK instituion but not one of great stature & certainly not one that justifies this type expense or ceremony to what are basically "part-time" employees. What next people dropping rose pedals ahead of them as they walk. And Blago with his "wasteful spending talk"....maybe they can "co-op" the state plane & all ride together.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Lainer — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 07:10:39 -0000

I believe there's only one student trustee at a time, representing the entire UI system. The current trustee happens to be from UIS (the first ever).

Re: The Imperial Illini

Frank — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:47:33 -0000

How about the student trustees? Most of which have more than a full class load, jobs, and still perform the duties of a trustee representing the actual constituents.

Re: The Imperial Illini

A Citizen — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:01:37 -0000

- Trustee at another University -
Well maybe, but you must admit they are very expensive.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Trustee at another University — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:41:58 -0000

kj - you're in a fantasy world. The U of I is a good school but certainly not a great one. Check the U.S. News and World Reports ranking. You're attitude is the same as those of the trustees, legends solely in your own minds.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Fed Up State Employee — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:18:00 -0000

Lainer - The tuition has been going up at double digit rates for several years. And they are adding fees for everything which raises the tab even farther. I don't have proof, but I understand a lot of it is because of reduced state funding since our great benefactor was elected. I've been watching closely as I have a daughter that will be moving on to college in two years. Fortunately I purchased a College Illinois contract for her about 7 years ago. Cost for 4 years was $20,000. Think I made the right decision. Glad I have college behind me!

Re: The Imperial Illini

Lainer — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:11:59 -0000

I guess so. I was going by the total cost of attendance quoted in the financial aid report for my husband, who enrolled full-time in 2005.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Leigh — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:26:39 -0000

kj- Are you seriously implying that U of I is in the same league as U of M? Please, not even close.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Little Egypt — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:24:52 -0000

Thompson sold the limo and rode in a Checker for the additional backseat leg room. Ryan rode in a brown conversion van - not a mini van but the bigger one.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Fed Up State Employee — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:12:23 -0000

Lainer 3:31 -- Sorry but you are a little off. That would just cover tuition. From the U of I site for freshman, year 2007-2008:

TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS $23,150 - 26,942*

Re: The Imperial Illini

Highway Man — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:05:12 -0000

Dan Johnson-Weinberger wrote:

"Thatâ€™s something we can do in the next three or four years for less than the cost of repaving 20 miles of an interstate highway."

I Call.

Please provide your numbers, I think you are stretching things...

Re: The Imperial Illini

A Citizen — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:56:21 -0000

The fiasco of the trustees with the limos is a solid reason why the Higher Ed budgets should all be cut - severely cut! The overinflated egos constantly beating the drum for more money and little to no accountability is the "accepted" norm. I for one am tired of it and want to see it come to a halt. The primadonnas have run the asylum for far too long. Get some conservative management in there and clean house of the non productive airheads.

Re: The Imperial Illini

cogenerator — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:07:25 -0000

I'm probably in the dark on this, but why do the trustees have to physically attend their meetings? Perhaps the University that wants to have the 'Global Campus' could come up with some futuristic, cutting-edge-never-before-seen technology like a video link? Oh, that's right, they don't have the money...

Re: The Imperial Illini

kj — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:35:37 -0000

to bill:
clearly you aren't a grad...maybe you didn't get in and are bitter....I would say the U of I system is not only a peer to those schools...but better! There has to be a reason that we are getting grants from organization like BP and students by the thousands are having to be turned away from the 3 schools in the system because classes are full! Sounds like sour grapes to me!

Re: The Imperial Illini

Trustee at another University — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:54:50 -0000

These posts haven't really touched on the real issue. The state has dramatically reduced higher ed funding the last few years. As a result, tuitions have risen dramatically, student debt is rising, parents are having to work harder to help out their kids and faculty salaries at most Illinois higher ed institutions are below the median. Sure a few thousand dollars for limos isn't going the break the university but Trustees shouldn't ride around in limos with all of the above going on. It's insensitive at best and really stupid at worst.

If someone offered to pay for a limo for a member of the legislature from southern Illinois, would that legislator take the limo to the VFW to give a stump speech to a low wage audience? Of course not. But that's what these guys are doing.

It's not that the U of I trustees are stupid. They're not. It's that their arrogance and sense of entitlement out weighs the "right thing" to do. Thats the midset of the whole institution.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Arthur Andersen — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:51:33 -0000

Before the Illinois Central became the whatever it is now RR, they had one of those Pullman cars beautifully maintained in vintage IC colors that would get pulled down (I think by Amtrak) from Chicago on Illini football Saturdays. They uncoupled and parked it adjacent to the Stadium.

Just what they need. Then Amtrak could rename the train the "Chief Illiniwek Express."

Re: The Imperial Illini

A Citizen — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:50:47 -0000

- Dan Johnson-Weinberger -
Amtrak will, upon request, add one of those really luxurious old refurbished Pullman's for the Royal Trustees. I'd volunteer to be the Porter just for the tips. And there bloody well be Good Tips!

Re: The Imperial Illini

Left Leaner — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:45:47 -0000

Not to condone this, but is everyone really getting bent out of shape about $14k?

Hats off to the Trustees who pay their own way, but all of them are bringing their time, talents and resources to the U. My bet - That's worth a lot more than $14k.

And Greyhound?! That's extreme. Are we going to ask them to hitchhike to meetings next?!

Re: The Imperial Illini

Dan Johnson-Weinberger — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:40:01 -0000

I think it's a good example of how we need to expand Amtrak service between Chicago and Champaign. There should be 6 trains a day and for people who have business in Champaign, you should be able to catch a reliable train out of Chicago at 7:00 or 7:30 am and make it to Champaign by 9. That's something we can do in the next three or four years for less than the cost of repaving 20 miles of an interstate highway.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Arthur Andersen — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:30:35 -0000

Right now the Undertaker is spinning in his grave.

Re: The Imperial Illini

Bill — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:28:19 -0000

..."peers (primarily the elite privates and a select few publics, Wisconsin, Michigan, Berkeley, UVA among them)."

Peers??? In your dreams dude!
To the limos:
This must be what the governor was referring to as 'bureaucratic bloat" when he slashed the higher ed budget a few year ago. I don't think he knew that they were his bureaucrats, though.

Re: The Imperial Illini

A Citizen — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:15:11 -0000

You don't take a Limo to Mc Donalds, can you imagine what their restaurant and booze bill was? Such arrogance and pomposity is rarely understated or limited. Roger, The Hog, Stanley would be proud!