Forgottonia a New Approach
WIU a Path Foward
May 30, 2019
A few suggestions
Programs that are worth living among the corn fields
C] Our regional school systems suffer from chronic turn over.
Positions are filled by new teachers willing to teach in the boondocks
for low pay to build resume experience.
1. In collaboration with our rural school districts a program of third
year education majors filling a teaching position for a salary. If
each student teacher is paired with an experienced (retired) part time
mentor this arrangement could lower cost of education for students. It
help provide a system of newbies learning and not just being thrown
into a crash and burn experience.
2. The third years would come back to finish degrees and share
experiences with the other students. The school districts with
established mentors would provide more stability in their schools. It
would replace student teaching experiences.
3. Forgottonian students are diverse in abilities many are excellent
candidates for higher education. They are sometimes isolated in their
small schools and communities. A program of on line seminars or
courses involving college students from WIU, possibly participants
from our region’s other colleges and universities, would enrich their
education. It would better prepare them for success and the
expectations of university courses.
4. Interacting in collaboration with all the educational institutions
of Forgottonia will build a stronger presence leading to more
recruits. It will improve contacts not only with students and
administrators, but it will also build relationships with businesses
and non-school populations of the region. It will create buy in and
support from all of Western Illinois not just the University
community.
A glowing future can still be forged
D] If WIU wants to build enrollment I would suggest they participate
in Illinois youth activities. Before I chose WIU I had been on campus
to IHSA music contests, science fairs, and invited to hear a
performance of the Chicago Symphony. I would use WIU’s recruitment
budget to encourage high school students to be on campus whether in
athletics, arts or science. I would tour WIU theater, music, and other
programs into high schools to impress and make contacts with potential
students.
1. Every college and university have ads and billboards WIU needs to
be a more physical presence.
2. Do not tell contacts what WIU does, ask what they would like to do.
Students can bring great ideas.
3. Teenagers sometimes speak with great bravado, but often have
anxieties over the move to a university. Help them become familiar
with WIU. Invite Chicago area students to group events – Amtrak
tickets are cheap.
4. When WIU is mentioned to potential students they should think of an
event, experience, or a contact with a person or a group.
WIU not just for the graduates but needed for the entire region.
Our Forgottonian governor is mythical and no one can dictate change. Only the people of WIU can lead the change. I would emphasize retaining people who believe in WIU. People who are willing to invest time in making WIU a presence in the local communities and the high schools of the Midwest. Presence will force the hand of the political powers to stop treating WIU like an unwelcome orphan.
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