Program prioritization task force reports that recommended how resources should be allocated to 459 academic and administrative programs were released Monday. NIU requested that students and faculty provide feedback from now until May 23.

Kaylyn Zielinski

Columnist

All aspects of the program prioritization reports should be open to the public, even if the reports are only recommendations. Also, feedback is highly necessary as some of the recommendations do not seem to properly value some programs.

I was surprised to see the categorization was guarded by an NIU login. I understand the narratives explaining why the programs are categorized a certain way are not open to the public, but it demonstrates a lack of transparency when the public cannot see where a program was placed in the categorizations.

In terms of the recommendations themselves, the recommendation that cheerleading be removed from NIU is disheartening because there are many students who participate in and are dedicated to this sport. If students who enjoy cheering for their university’s teams are no longer able to do so, I cannot see how other students will feel encouraged to do the same from the bleachers.

Aa journalism major I am disappointed that it was placed in the “Candidate for Reduction in Resources” category. The narrtatives are unclear as to how resources will be reduced. I think other students whose programs are in the same category would agree that the reports lacked the details that would calm our concerns.

Kara Mercer

Columnist

Students should not worry about the program prioritization reports, because of the carfulness with which the task force put the reports together. If students have concerns about something on the reports, they should provide their feedback in order to have their opinion heard.

It was necessary to reevaluate all of the programs at NIU because if NIU just continued to add programs while not reviewing the existing ones, the university may not have enough resources. It is a good idea to reevaluate the distribution of resources at NIU.

The program prioritization reports revealed that only 11 programs were requested for elimination. Getting rid of some programs and allocating the funds and resources to different programs is a good way for the university to become more efficient.

Students currently enrolled in a program that is set to be phased out should not worry because they will be allowed to finish their program and graduate with it. Students who have already worked in a program do not lose any progress they have made academically.

Overall, NIU is going about this process in an efficient way. NIU needed to find a way to distribute funds differently to save money, and the program prioritization reports reflect its efforts.

Faith Mellenthin

Columnist

I think the efforts of the program prioritization task force were well-executed because they were easy to understand, but I do not agree with all the recommendations presented. Each report was very long, but there was a table of contents and clear flow that made it user-friendly.

That being said, I don’t agree with all of the suggestions because several certificates and minor programs are categorized as “candidates for phase-out.” I feel the classes students must take to obtain certificates and minors are the same classes that are offered to achieve majors. I do not understand why these cerificates or minors should be phased out if the classes used to earn them will remain. Unfortunately, the reports fail to provide a explanation to ease my confusion with this issue.

A reduction of athletics costs seems to be a goal since every revenue- generating sport was suggested to become self-sustained. Even football was set as “continue with reduced resources.” However, I feel that all athletics should have been placed in this category as well. I appreciate the efforts of the program prioritization task force, but I do not agree with its recommendations.