FINALS!

This is crunch time for the students. The Achieve computer lab is open extended hours. Make appointments with staff now so they will be available for you. Make sure to talk to Suzy if there any test proctoring issues.

I'd like to give a shout out to my friend and Achieve member, Garth Rubin, who works at Northern Illinois University at the school's disability office. Garth is on the right.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For students, this is a time to catch up, or take one last breath before charging back into the fray. Classes resume on Monday the 30th. Even though finals will only be two weeks away, there is still time for students who are struggling to come in, buckle down, and make a difference.

Next week: Pictures from the event in LaGrange, Illinois, and a reader poll!

College Fairs and Old Friends...

Recently, I represented Achieve at the Brehm Preparatory School College Fair, and had a chance to visit with Julia Shaw, an Achieve graduate supervisor alumni, who is now a coordinator at the REACH program in Iowa.





The University is hosting an Open House on November 7th, at which we will have a table. Next, I will be in the LaGrange area for a college fair on November 19th.

2009 Family Weekend

On October 24th, Achieve hosted a Tailgate at the Family Weekend event at SIUC. Over a hundred people joined us for terrific barbecue from 17th Street. Thank you to all who attended, old friends and new. Thank you also to the parents who helped us put on this wonderful event.

Last Minute Details....

Before the tailgate tomorrow....

Roger will have tickets at the Achieve Program tent. So, parents, if you needed tickets, you can still get some from him. We will have barbecue, side dishes, chips and drinks. Please come on by!

A Trip to Chicago

Recently, I traveled to Chicago, to the Directions Fair in Arlington Heights, on October 20th, and then to the Choices Fair in Lincolnshire on the 21st.

I spoke to several hundred parents and students. It looks like we have a very vital new incoming class of potential Achieve Program students.

Traveling Pictures....

Earlier this month, I traveled to Aurora Illinois and was a representative at the Waubonsie Valley High School LD college fair.


Julia Barickman, the person who put the fair on, and Bill, from Waubonsie Valley High School:

Then, despite grey weather, I flew to Buffalo


and was a representative of Achieve


at the Gow School, a specialized LD school for young men not far from, of all places, Aurora, New York.

Fee Increase...

Sadly, fee increases are not unusual at a University, but at Achieve, we have only had to raise fees a few times over the course of the program’s existence. Over the last several years, Achieve has found ways to conserve resources, consolidate job duties, and increase efficiency and productivity, in an ongoing effort to avoid raising fees. We are keenly aware that the cost of our program affects how accessible to our population we remain. We approached the consideration of a fee increase as a measure of last resort, after all other options and opportunities had been exhausted.

If we were only responding to increased costs due to inflation and cost of living expenses, then we probably could stave off a fee increase this year. However, in addition to the expenses you might expect, the state of Illinois and SIUC both have mandated aggressive increases in the minimum wage and in student work wages. Since 2003, (the year of our last fee increase) the amount we must pay to meet student payroll has increased by 28% even though the total average hours of service a student uses in our program each semester has remained about the same. We are predicting an additional 3% increase in payroll expense through the fiscal year ending in 2010. Unexpectedly large increases in payroll, one of our fixed costs, has forced us to act.

The new fee for full-time support is approximately a 15% increase, even though payroll costs have grown by nearly double this rate. We feel that with careful stewardship, we can meet our budget responsibilities and still provide the same level of service to our students. If you are a continuing student, the change in fees will automatically be reflected in your bursar account.

We appreciate your understanding. We felt that increasing fees was a better choice than restricting, reducing or eliminating services. We hope you agree. If you have any questions about our fees, please contact Ruth O'Rourke, Roger Pugh, or Sally DeDecker.

Study Strategies

Hello everyone. This is Grady, the organizational supervisor. Starting this week, I will have open hours in Room 134 to provide strategies and techniques for your midterm reviewing.

The hours are as follows:

Thursdays 4-5
Fridays 3-5

These hours will run throughout October. If you are a student who I assist with organization, please stop by. We may have a workshop if several people show up. Bring study guides and paper assignments so that I can provide specific assistance with your classes.

Memory Book...

The Memory Book is almost done. We are in the process of final editing. I have a proof copy and I can tell you, it looks great! There are so many people who have been important parts of our lives, but seeing the faces in procession over the years is wonderful and amazing.

Traveling...

This week, I traveled to Minneapolis to attend a terrific college fair for students with learning disabilities. It is hosted at Groves Academy. While I was there, I was able to hang out for a little with two Achieve alumni, Max O. and Pat D. It was great to see them both. I had a chance to chat with Max's mom, Suanne, and look forward to Max's visit to Carbondale in November.

On October 5th, I will be in the Chicago area for a college fair at Waubonsie Valley.

On October 10th, I will be in Buffalo, New York, for a fair hosted at the Gow School.

I will be up at the Choices college fair at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire on the 21st of October. Finally, I will be back in the Chicago area in November for the LADSE college fair.

While that is going on, Achieve will host its annual Tailgate during family weekend at SIU, on Saturday, October 24th. The tailgate will start at 12 noon and run until approximately 3 pm. We will provide food and drink for Achieve students and their families. We hope to see you there! If you want discounted football tickets for the game, please contact me about getting them.

The First Round...

The first round of tests are happening now. Last Friday, students took their first PSYC 102 tests. If your son or daughter is taking PSYC 102, they should be able to accesss their grades this week.

Some students will choose not to take their tests at Achieve. Our research indicates that test proctoring at Achieve will improve performance. Help us communicate this message.

Don't forget to contact us if you are attending the Family Weekend and tailgate party hosted by Achieve. Football tickets are still available at a discounted rate.

The Akkademiks....ROCK!

For the last couple of years, I have been developing songs to help students with the curriculum of Geology 111 and 112, one of the core curriculum classes which meets a science requirement for students. If Geology 111 and 112 (lecture and lab) are in your future, please check out the "band" (read as "me") at my website for The Akkademiks.

Hey Joe...

Recently, I received an email from a former student. His name and picture is used with permission:

***********************************

Roger,


This is Joe Meloni. I hope this note finds you doing well.

Just wanted to say hi and let you know that I successfully graduated the police academy for the Charlotte, NC Police Department on June 19. It was the longest 23 weeks of my life, but it was all well worth it.

I have since been assigned to our Metro division. Metro is the busiest division out of all 13 divisions our department has. The poverty, gangs, and the amount of drugs is not to be believed. I have seen it all so far, shootings, stabbings, guns etc. I like the area I work because it is fast paced, and you really learn a lot in a short amount of time. The paperwork can get quite boring, and stack up in this job, but it's still worth it for the fun you have before the paperwork.

Thank you again for helping me get through college. My degree and skills that I was taught by you guys will always help me throughout my career.

My sister is now a manager of a Starbucks and says hello also. Please make sure you put the word out to any Achieve students interested in law enforcement, or that have any questions to contact me.

Thanks again for everything. I will be in touch.


Sincerely,
Joe Meloni


***********************************

I then requested, and he sent, this wonderful picture of himself and his fiance. We wish you the best, Joe!

Funding For Achieve

In January, House Bill 168, section 65.85 was introduced by Representative Elizabeth Coulson, in which grants through the ISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission) would be provided to cover the costs of the Achieve Program. The bill unanimously passed its House committee in February and the Senate committee in May. It was signed into law in July, and its implementation is currently pending budget funding.

Pictured below are the Coordinator of Achieve and a student presenting their testimony at the Senate committee.

Football Tickets

Family Weekend is October 24th, 2009. Achieve will be hosting a tailgate party with lots of great food in the saluki row tailgate area. All students and their families are invited to join us before the game.

We have football tickets available for sale at a discounted rate for our students' families. Adult tickets will cost $10, while high school age and under will cost $6. Please contact Roger at Achieve or through this blog to request and pay for your tickets!

Working on the Memory Book...

In April of last year, we celebrated our 30th Anniversary as a Program. This year, we have been working on completing a nicely bound book, telling the story of Achieve and featuring many pictures from over the years. We are in the process of editing and layout for the book. We will let you know when it is available.

Today the blog went live....

Welcome one and all. Today the blog went live. This is essentially a test. I will come back later and begin in earnest.