As state budget cuts to higher education and accrediting woes make uncertain the future of the university, CSU faculty are planning a Vietnam-era style "teach-in" Sept. 23 to inform the university's student body of the challenges facing the school. Organizers of the event are expecting hundreds of students and dozens of faculty to participate and are calling it the first of what may be a number of such events in the future.
In an era when bad news seems to abound about the university, at least one area seems to be shining brightly. Michelle Rogers, a fourth-year CSU psychology major, is set to become only the second CSU student in the past several years to be tapped to represent the university in the application process to become a Rhodes scholar.
Advocates at CSU for restoring Illinois's Monetary Award Program will be rallying in Springfield Oct. 15 with other colleges and universities with students who will be affected by Gov. Pat Quinn's (D) decision to slash MAP awards by 50 percent. If those efforts fail, over 3,000 CSU students will no longer receive the grant next semester. The number of students that will be affected statewide is estimated to be 138,000, according to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
As state lawmakers prepare to finalize the Illinois budget on Oct. 14, universities across the state are left with little time to campaign for the restoration of the Monetary Award Program - money that over 3,000 students at CSU will no longer receive in 2010 if the grant is permanently cut.