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!
Friday, October 23, 2009
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.
I spoke to several hundred parents and students. It looks like we have a very vital new incoming class of potential Achieve Program students.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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.
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.
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