Faculty, staff concerned for program cuts

A state-mandated law that could call for program consolidations and cuts has some faculty and staff members worried about what it could mean for their programs.

The open forum held Thursday at Morris Library was to review recommendations made by the Program Changes Review Committee in charge of developing a process and set of metrics used to evaluate low-performing programs at SIUC.

Programs that don’t meet the standards under three categories…

State funds for higher education increased despite cuts to school

Illinois is one of few states that increased its funding to higher education between fiscal year 2011 and 2012, even though universities are receiving less.

While state universities have made budget cuts because of overall decreased funding from the state over recent years, a recent report shows Illinois has increased funding for higher education by more than 12 percent since FY11. SIU President Glenn Poshard said the difference may be…

Enrollment down 322 from last spring

After an enrollment decrease of 322 students, Chancellor Rita Cheng said a drop in students is to be expected in the spring semester.

The Daily Egyptian obtained the 10-day enrollment figures, which were released Tuesday with an overall 18,442 students registered at SIU. 12,039 are undergraduates — 256 less than last spring.

“Every spring our enrollment is smaller than fall enrollment,” Cheng said. “That’s because students graduate in December and we’re…

Plant Biology Greenhouse in conditions not up-to-date

The Plant Biology Greenhouse is in desperate need of a renovation but with no plans for improvement.

The greenhouse, one of several on campus, has several functions including class usage, student research, set-ups for university affiliated functions and community outreach.

Rocco Milano, a senior from Chicago studying plant and soil science and a greenhouse student worker, said he thinks the greenhouse is completely rundown.

“It’s totally dilapidated; It’s falling apart; the beams…

Studying abroad continues to benefit students and community

Making a sundial, recreating the trial of Socrates in an ancient council chamber, working at local pottery shops and running a race in an ancient Olympic stadium are just a few of the hands-on activities students have participated in when studying abroad with SIU.

Thomas Saville, associate director of Study Abroad Programs, said what sets Ancient Legacies, the study abroad program, apart from other programs is how interactive the trips…

Friday’s ‘Fiesta’ fundraiser to help combat violence against women

At the 12th annual “Taste of Chocolate” gala Friday night, chocolate aficionados will sample tasty treats donated by local restaurants and bakeries while they bid on art, gift baskets and wines at live and silent auctions.

The annual social event, sponsored by the Women’s Center, will be held at the Carbondale Civic Center at 6 p.m. on Feb. 3.

This year’s fundraiser, “Fiesta,” may sound like an upbeat affair, but its…

Student fees may increase in the next fiscal year

Members of the Undergraduate Student Government chose not to vote on a possible 3.1 percent student fee increase at the first meeting of the semester Wednesday.

At the meeting, the group discussed the proposed student fees increase, including a student activity fee increase of 3.7 percent; Student Center fee increase of 2.9 percent; student recreation fee increase of 2.9 percent; campus recreation fee increase of 3 percent; athletics fee increase…

Morale improves in north Carbondale mobile home park

Cornerstone Village, a mobile home park on Carbondale’s north side, is getting more than a new name.

Tim Coleman, the property manager, said he is committed to improving the quality of life for the residents of what used to be The Crossings.

He said he is focused on renovating the mobile homes his company owns, repaving the streets and landscaping the grounds.

“We pride ourselves on offering the highest quality low-income housing…

10-day enrollment figures released

After the first 10 days of the semester, SIU spring enrollment is at 18,442 students.

While the enrollment number is 322 less than spring 2011 enrollment, Chancellor Rita Cheng said the figure was still higher than expected.

“We expected to get about 360 less than last spring based on our smaller class in the fall, and we have turned the number into a positive with 38 more students than we expected…

Programs could face consolidation

A state-mandated review of academic programs could mean a consolidation or cuts of programs in the university.

The provost’s office put together a committee in the fall semester to complete a review of all academic programs on campus. The review is a state requirement for all public universities in Illinois to complete. The act requires universities to send the report to the Illinois Board of Higher Education on degree programs…

Students face the impact of drinking

After one of Carbondale’s most notorious drinking weekends, many students must face the university’s jurisdiction in handling drinking citations.

Jason Gillman, assistant director of Student Health Services, said right after Polar Bear, an all-day drinking event, is the busiest time for the Student Wellness Center and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

He said there is a process every student caught underage drinking must undergo.

[caption id=”attachment_67591″ align=”alignright” width=”300″ caption=”Carbondale police…

Proposed advisement changes mean more faculty advisers, fewer academic advisers

The university is considering a change to the advisement system that would shift advisement duties from academic advisers to faculty members who would mentor students.

Provost John Nicklow announced the change to faculty in an email Jan. 25. Administrators said they are not sure when the change will be implemented.

Lynn Freeman, an academic advising consultant, was hired by the university last July to assess the advisement program. She submitted a…

Enrollment affects courses offered

For students who sign up for a course that doesn’t meet enrollment requirements, a last-minute notification that the class has been cancelled can alter their semester plans.

Since the semester is in its third week, students who wish to enroll in a course will now be required to have the approval of an instructor to sign up for a class.

One reason some students’ schedules can change weeks into the semester…

Green movement on campus to award $29K

The university’s Sustainability Council announced this month it will award nearly $29,000 to seven green projects.

The seven projects in the most recent cycle of funding range from climate neutrality, a recycled art exhibition, video field lighting conversion and an Earth Day celebration.

The funding came from the $10-a-semester green fund student fee that was student-initiated in 2009. After approval from the SIU Board of Trustees, the fees have been used…

Forest Service considers land proposal

A proposed land swap between Peabody Energy and the Shawnee National Forest would give the Forest Service 830 acres of prime wildlife habitat and the energy company land that could be strip mined.

According to the proposal, Peabody would give two parcels of land in Pope County and one in Jackson County to the Forest Service in exchange for 384 acres in Gallatin County.

Land management experts from the Forest Service,…

New program to replace Blackboard next fall semester

SIU will be switching out Blackboard by fall 2012 for a new learning management system called Desire2Learn, intended to modernize the way instructors and students connect.

Desire2Learn is a more modern systen that includes components for in-house and online classes, said JP Dunn, the Learning Management System administrator for the Center for Teaching Excellence.

The Blackboard product used by SIU is in the process…

Teen hit by train transported to St. Louis, condition improves

A 19-year-old male was struck by a moving train Saturday in Carbondale around 2:50 a.m. while attempting to jump onto the train, according to a Carbondale police report.

Michael Assefa, of Frankfort, was first brought to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale but was later taken to St. Louis with life-threatening injuries. He is not a SIUC student.

Assefa’s condition has improved and he is now speaking, said the Rev. Robert Gray, Carbondale Police Department’s…

Carbondale prepares for Polar Bear

While Chancellor Rita Cheng warns the university community about alcohol safety, employees at one local bar are removing pool tables to provide extra space for the busy weekend.

“Polar Bear” and “Puck Finch” are day-long drinking events some Carbondale bars have planned for Saturday, where customers will be able to order drinks starting at 10 a.m. Although both have been held in recent years, past results from the events led…

Crab Orchard offers eagle-viewing tours

In 1964, there were fewer than 450 breeding pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 United States.

Today, there are about 10,000.

Four of those pairs live in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, five miles west of Marion. During the last two weekends in January, visitors can take guided tours to view eagle nests and spot other refuge-dwellers such as deer, red-tailed hawks and Canada geese.

Kim King-Wrenn, visitor services…

Student workers bring in donations for university

In an isolated, windowless room of the Student Center’s basement, SIU students are raising money for the university almost year-round.

The SIU Foundation, which was established in 1942 to solicit gifts and donations from private sources for the university, uses the gifts for educational purposes such as scholarships, according to the foundation’s website.

Annually, the foundation brings in a value of about $20 million in donations each year, while the student…