Is NIU’s CHANCE program an effective tool for students? Should it continue to be provided to students in the future?

NIU’s Chance program offers further consideration for enrollment to students who don’t meet the requirements of an admitted student through alternative submissions.

Christopher Loggins: Summer Editor in Chief

I was originally offered a spot in NIU’s chance program during my senior year of high school, but I turned it down and elected to attend another university for a year before deciding to give NIU another shot one year later.

Looking back on the decision, I probably shouldn’t have frowned upon the opportunity, mainly because I feel like I missed out on a year of hard work simply because I was stubborn. When I was first offered a spot in the program, I was upset about not initially being accepted into NIU and thought the university was making me out to be a pity party. Although I was accepted the next year without it, I still have regrets about the initial decision I made.

Now that I’ve been at NIU for quite some time (probably too long), I have a much greater appreciation for the CHANCE program, largely because I’ve come into contact with many people from the program and I’ve had an opportunity to see their journeys.

Judging from stories I’ve heard from people in CHANCE, it does seem like a helpful tool, though they feel as though some of the classes they have to take are unneeded.

I don’t think NIU should do away with the program, but the university should definitely look into ways to improve it so students can feel as though their potential is being used in an effective manner. Doing away with the program would be taking life-changing opportunities from future students, which wouldn’t be fair considering how many lives it probably changed in years past.

Jay Ibarra: Scene Editor

What the student body doesn’t understand is that the CHANCE program encompasses a strong academic background in order to be considered for a spot in this program — a spot isn’t just given. In high school or as a transfer student, NIU looks not only at a student’s GPA but their ACT scores, academic achievements, and civic engagement for their community and gives them a chance to succeed at NIU.

I’ve always thought this program was an encouraging way to target a demographic of students who were ready, but didn’t meet a specific academic requirement. I feel this 43-year-long program needs to be continued for necessary growth and academic success for students that are here and incoming as well. It is a hopeful thing being told that you can go to college and your hardwork has paid off. If there were things I would change about the program, I would monitor the CHANCE program students more closely to constantly understand if their transition is going smoothly. More check-ins to ensure their academic future is going as planned could greatly help these students.

Leah Nicolini: Assistant News Editor

NIU stakeholders discussed the CHANCE program with mixed feelings because the program participants do not always succeed, yet it is a service NIU plans to continue to provide, during a Board of Trustees meeting Thursday at 9 a.m. in Altgeld Hall, Room 315. I agree with the board in that the CHANCE program does provide diversity on campus. One of the things NIU will look at in admitting CHANCE program students is special talent, significant activities and accomplishments and leadership potential, according to the CHANCE program’s website. By looking for unique qualities in program applicants, NIU is encouraging diversity on campus.

NIU provides second chances in other ways on campus, like through Academic Probation where students are given an opportunity to bring up their GPA even though they do not meet the university requirements. First-semester freshmen with a GPA lower than 1.6 and all other students who fall below a 2.00 GPA get a grace semester to bring their GPA up, according to the Academic Advising Center’s website. Providing the CHANCE program allows NIU to be consistent with giving a semester to students who do not meet requirements and expanding this opportunity to other colleges and high school students too.