Guns, parking, retention issues pop up at forum

I was pleased that a UNI 101 class came to a portion of my open forum today. The students asked good questions. I'll follow up on some of them on my blog or web site, and with other questions, I'll pass along the concerns to the UIS administrators who need to hear what was said. Other people were there besides students, and that was most welcome. Among the issues I will follow up on are: how do we enforce our "designated smoking areas" policy? Are we concerned about retention, which was mentioned in a column in this week's student newspaper? There were also questions and comments about the Food Emporium food, library hours, meal plan, an expanded foreign language program, and others. Two questions I can answer right now:

If Illinois gets a concealed carry gun law, would we allow students to carry guns on campus to protect themselves? I said I doubt it. Guns are not allowed on campus at all, and I can't imagine we would want to change that policy.

Another question: Might we ever get a parking deck/garage? Not in the near future. Our parking operation has to be self-supporting, and I'm confident the campus community would not be willing to pay the considerably higher parking fees that we would need to build a parking garage. ... Watch this space for updates on other issues.

A rally well executed

Last night about 300 people attended a "No Place for Hate" rally and speakout on our quad. I'd call it a great success. Led by Bret Tate, president of the student group called Queer Straight Alliance, our students and their allies cheered for the numerous calls for acceptance of a wide range of behaviors, lifestyles, and choices. That's as it should be in a university community. Nearly everybody who spoke found their way to a common theme: an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and it's up to all of us to show support for one another. This morning, I tip my cap to the students who orchestrated the rally, march and speakout. It was civil, energizing and very effective.

Second forum, many issues

A handful of people were at the forum today, raising questions about some old issues and raising some new ones as well. I have some homework to do, with questions arising about reporting of our SECA contributions, why the soccer teams are on the other side of the field this year, whether we could offer a CPR class here, the lack of Board of Trustees pictures in the PAC lobby, furlough days, and whether chemicals sprayed on our campus lawns might be harmful to to squirrels, ducks, geese and other animals. Someone also commented favorably about the statement sent to the campus today by the chancellor in support of our LGBTQ community. Go to my web site for updates about these issues. Click on the "topics" links on the left sid of that page.

First question

I didn't ask, but I think Chris Kennedy, a new member of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, sent a clear message yesterday not only with his first question, but by the intended audience for that question. He had just listened to a quick but detailed orientation from an administrator about U of I attributes and challenges. Among many other things, he heard that thousands of students at all three campuses are in danger of losing some critical state financial aid in the spring semester. He didn't ask for clarification. He got it. When it came time for questions, he turned to the three student trustees and asked them if the students on the three campuses were aware of the problem. Yes, they told him. Then he asked if there's a genuine concern that students will have to drop out in the spring if they don't get this financial aid. Yes, they told him again. Not long afterward, Kennedy was elected the board chair. Then there was a great photographic moment -- I didn't have a camera -- with Kennedy and Governor Pat Quinn chatting in a very friendly way with the three student trustees. I hope someone took that picture.