The Northern Star editorial on Sept. 19, “CHANCE fails to achieve,” is a misguided opinion reflecting little recognition of the realities of minority needs in America or the recent changes in the CHANCE program.

The CHANCE program is built on the belief that providing special opportunities to students is absolutely necessary to help solve the social and economic problems of our nation. The students entering CHANCE have been denied the educational opportunities of many of Northern’s students, however, they have met the criteria for special admission listed in the NIU Undergraduate Catalog.

The program is designed to provide them assistance to develop the learning skills required to successfully complete college. Contrary to the Star editorial, they most certainly are not “illiterate” and unable to “add and read.” Labeling all CHANCE students in this manner conveys a negative stereotype not supported by facts. Frankly, I am dismayed and disappointed that our student press apparently lacks a basic understanding of one of the most important aspects of education, that is providing opportunities for men and women of all ethnic and economic levels.

We recognize shortfalls in the CHANCE program but several steps have been taken to increase retention and graduation rates. The new director of Educational Services and Programs reorganized the units to concentrate all resources on serving students. The class rank and grade point average of CHANCE students admitted the last two years have increased and the support services have been expanded so they will be available to CHANCE students throughout their academic program. We feel these changes are sound, and we expect a marked increase in the graduation rate in the years ahead. Our goal is to “close the gap” between the graduation rate of regularly admitted students and CHANCE students. We also maintain that even if a CHANCE student does not graduate, he or she benefits from their experience at Northern.

Contrary to the implications in the editorial, there are both minorities and non-minorities in the CHANCE program. The demographics of Northern Illinois and just plain common sense indicate that the most acute need for educational assistance is among minorities, especially Afro-Americans and Hispanics. The largest proportion of poor families in Northern’s constituent area come from these two minority groups. Consequently, the CHANCE program places an emphasis on recruitment from these two groups. It must be repeated, however, that the CHANCE program is open to all eligible students.

The Northern Star editorial left the impression that the CHANCE program was a failure and served the wrong people. To the contrary, the CHANCE program is vital and is serving a population that needs our support. CHANCE is a high risk program and will have failures along with successes. However, it is a risk we must take for the future of our state and nation. Serving the CHANCE students is a rational and moral obligation that we must undertake and an undertaking in which we must succeed.

A college education provides the opportunity for young people from low income families, minorities and non-minorities, to escape the poverty cycle and become productive and creative citizens. Our future economy is dependent upon educated workers. In the 1990s, only 15 percent of new workers entering the labor force will be white males. Minorities and women will be 85 percent of our new workers with the minority component increasing rapidly between now and the year 2000. In a report titled, “To Secure the Blessings of Liberty,” former U.S. Secretary of Education Terrence Bell stated that, “it falls to our nation’s state colleges and universities to educate literally millions of Americans who now don’t even believe they could go to college.” In addition to addressing the social problem of minorities in our cities, it is also incumbent upon our state universities to address the economic problems of our nation by preparing more of our “undereducated” citizens to work in a competitive global marketplace.

I respect and support the first amendment rights of a student press free to speak its mind on the issues; however, I would hope these views would be tempered with a sense of social responsibility and understanding of the issues our society faces.

Editor’s note. NIU President John La Tourette writes about the reasoning behind the CHANCE program and why he feels it benefits the NIU community.