Tuesday, february 12, 2019
Student-run newspaper since 1962
www.neiuindependent.org
Volume 38 Issue 12
Photo of Enrollment Services by the Independent.
enrollment continues to decline at neiu Amaris E. Rodriguez
opinions and co-managing editor NEIUOpsEditor @gmail.com
Enrollment at NEIU has been steadily decreasing over the years causing concern. President Gloria J. Gibson addressed the NEIU community on Nov. 27, 2018 stating that finding a solution to enrollment rates is a top concern. “I have to be very clear in saying that our enrollment numbers are not good. They do not
inside News | news
Police confirm tagging incidents are isolated. See pg. 2
meet my expectations, especially as we look at our enrollments for first year students,” she said. NEIU’s enrollment of undergrad and graduate students has dropped 2,172 in the last four years. In fall 2018, enrollment was 8,103 and in fall 2014, total enrollment was 10,275. In efforts to address the enrollment issue, Interim Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services, Dr. John Fraire, was hired by NEIU to aid in the reversal of the enrollment decline. He
started his position on Nov. 1, 2018. Fraire has served as vice president of enrollment management and student affairs at Portland State University and as the vice president for Student affairs and enrollment at Washington State University where he assisted in increasing the freshmen class enrollment by almost 30 percent during his time. Fraire said to The Independent through email correspondence that communication plays a role. Fraire said, “It is more critical that we communicate
better with those who are already interested in NEIU, those who are already applying and getting admitted. A large number of admitted students who do not enroll at NEIU do not go to college at all. We need to make sure those students come to NEIU.” According to Fraire, Gibson has already stepped out into the community. “Dr. Gibson herself has visited a number of Chicago public high schools and community colleges, and is leading an effort to rebuild NEIU’s relationship
with our feeder schools,” he said. NEIU has continuously tried to improve its marketing efforts to prospective students, including the “150 Strong” commercial which aired on Super Bowl Sunday 2018. Moving forward, Fraire stated the university is hoping to study prospective students to learn how to better reach them. “NEIU admissions is about to implement the use of artificial Declining numbers / page 2
Chicago’s municpal election is on Feb. 26, do you know who you’re voting for? Read a list of the candidates running. See page 12
opinions
Do you really enjoy living in the Nest? See pg. 6
arts and life
“Roswell, New Mexico” is a hit with the Independent. See pg. 11
police blotter
Check out the newest version of the police blotter. See pg. 12
Let us know! Next issue is out Feb. 26. Our office is located in E-049 at the main campus.
