The front-page article “Enrollment plummets at regional universities” (Sept. 7) prompts me to add thoughts about why this is so — and what to do about it.
Illinois’ system of public universities is overbuilt and too expensive, and it faces prospective students, parents and taxpayers who seriously question their aims, operational practices and leadership. Many also question the value of the programs offered, wondering if the degrees will lead graduates to careers or other opportunities that will pay them back for their time and money.
To the credit of past governmental leaders, in the 1960s and 1970s, the state beefed up its system of public universities by creating new ones and facilitated enlargements on existing campuses. It was the right thing to do then — but times have changed; and new initiatives are required.
Today’s demographics are different. Illinois has lost population. Fewer people are in the age bracket that will be looking at college admission.
Unfortunately, tuition and fees at Illinois’ universities are not competitive. Students can choose to attend a public university in states where public finances are better managed and tuition and fees have been kept lower.
Modern technologies have introduced another competitor for all of Illinois’ colleges and universities. Online degree programs have proliferated, improved and become more acceptable. Illinois’ degree seekers can complete these programs wherever they live. This knocks out the “access” reason that underpinned the original reason for planting regional, public university campuses across the state.
A ”good news, bad news” story lies in the success of Illinois’ network of publicly funded community colleges across the state. The good news is that over the past five decades, they have become expansive in what they offer, including some or all (through cooperative agreements) of what is needed for a bachelor’s degree. These places have become more respected, are low-cost propositions and are in tune with the job market. The bad news is that these campuses now draw students who would have started or finished degrees at a regional public university.
The bottom line is that Illinois’ universities should do what organizations in similar positions in the real world would do. Close campuses; thin out low-enrollment, high-cost programs; prune other operational expenses; and hold campus leaders accountable for turnaround. This can be done without precluding anyone in Illinois from attaining their goals for an advanced education.
The right answer is not, as some legislators propose, throwing more money at the regionals.
— Charles F. Falk, Schaumburg
Boorish behavior
Thank God for sports columnist Paul Sullivan. He is absolutely unique in his ability to relate what happens in sports to our general culture. (Anything goes in the “Me First” era.)
Social media are recording so much bad behavior among the fans and even professional athletes that we all begin to ask why Americans are so boorish in their behavior, even to the point they take away baseballs from children at the games. These fans are not like the mobs who follow soccer teams as they travel to various European cities. Nor is a certain bad-behaving national leader in Washington the one who is responsible for athletes who spit on their opponents. He is a result of a trend, not the cause.
No, it’s something more pervasive and more general in our society. Could it be that we have become hopelessly self-centered and are unable to see beyond our immediate desires? And whatever happened to shame?
— Al Munneke, Crest Hill
Squirrels as leaders
Watching squirrels shred our acorn-laden trees, working right around my husband’s diligent efforts to dissuade them, it occurred to me our country would do well to elect squirrels to replace much of current “leadership.” Squirrels exemplify “by the squirrels, for the squirrels.” No matter what, they focus on mutual acorn eating and storing up for winter.
And oh! They plant a plethora of acorns, ensuring sustainability of future oak forests.
Emulate and elect honorable squirrels everywhere!
— Mary Voiland, Naperville
Encounter with Kurtis
In the last two Sunday editions, there were pieces regarding Bill Kurtis: one by Rick Kogan on Aug. 31 (“Bill Kurtis writes of the adventures of his ‘Whirlwind’ life as a TV news anchorman”) about Kurtis’ “Whirlwind” book and Kurtis himself and, the following Sunday, an excerpt from the same book (“What it was like to see Chicago burning”) about Kurtis’ experience reporting on the fires following the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Those made for some excellent readings.
I wish to share my encounter with Kurtis. I was a volunteer for a fundraiser for After School Matters held at White Sox park about 10 or so years ago. Kurtis’ wife, Donna La Pietra, ran the event. Afterward, she invited the volunteers and the other workers to a dinner party at their home in Mettawa.
Upon our arrival, we were cordially and graciously welcomed by Kurtis, who then drove us in a cart he pulled with his tractor to tour the grounds. He was so down to earth, with no airs about him.
What struck me, besides his affable, friendly and down-to-earth ways, was that his TV news voice is his voice — what you heard on the newscast is what you hear in person.
It was such a lovely evening that I will never forget.
— Mario Caruso, Chicago
Welcome back, Rizzo
Welcome back, Anthony Rizzo! We have missed him.
When he left us, we told him we would always welcome him back. We are so happy that he took us seriously and have made the decision to come back to us.
From the North Side to the South Side, from east to west, and yes, even in the surrounding suburbs of Chicago, we celebrate Rizzo and his family coming back to their old stomping grounds.
Spread your smile, your upbeat personality and your goodness with all of the people living in the Chicago area and the Midwest. Welcome home!
— Carol Hausmann, Tinley Park
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https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/13/letters-091325-illinois-universities/
