It seems students are not the only ones to forget when their assignments are due.

When the University of Illinois at Chicago told the Illinois Board of Higher Education that they wanted to move their engineering programs to nearby community college districts, a 60-day countdown began.

During that period, colleges, like NIU, may voice concerns over the proposal. The 60-day wait is over, and NIU officials missed their chance to oppose a move that might conflict with NIU’s engineering offerings.

Many missed assignments and deadlines are the result of a lack of communication. That seems to be the case with NIU and the IBHE.

NIU Provost Kendall Baker said he did not know the period had ended and Lynne Waldeland, associate provost for academic development and planning, said she knew nothing of the 60-day period.

U of I expansion could conflict with NIU’s interests. And since the 60-day period has elapsed, the IBHE will review the expansion proposal. Perhaps the issue is worth bringing up to the IBHE at their meeting in Chicago Tuesday. How does an expansion occur without NIU’s knowledge of the 60-day wait and exactly when it ends?

Also, NIU requested a synopsis of U of I’s expansion proposal. Waldeland said, “I don’t believe we ever got the synopsis.” A careful check that records are sent and received is needed from both the IBHE and NIU.

Governmental bodies such as the IBHE have an obligation to make sure universities are notified of impending decisions that might effect them, and the universities have an obligation to know that information.

A teacher must spell out when assignments are due and students have to remember the due dates. It seems NIU and the IBHE should straighten out their due dates.