[NU Sports] 4th Quarter

[Hakirsch at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/2/2007 4:23:06 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
mlinhardt at netzero.net writes:

> I say its time to gradually relax admissions standards, while stepping up 
> academic support services to help ensure those admitted will graduate.  If our 
> graduation rates fall from 98-100% down to 85-90%, so be it--at least we'll 
> be putting a little more talent on the field on Saturdays.
> 

A bit contradictory here--Adding support servcices to help those admitted 
graduate and then suggesting that our grad rate might drop 10% suggests that you 
dont think the support services wil do the trick for those questionable 
admitted students.

First of all, dont for one minute think that a good chunk of our football and 
basketball players don't receive all kinds of academic support--From reduced  
course loads during the season (pick up some in the summer) to multiple 
tutors ., NU does pretty much all that it can to help our student athletes 
graduate. I also am aware of summer programs prior to the freshman year for both 
enhanced course work and other immersion type programs to help kids who might 
otherwise be blown away by the academic and social rigors of NU.  -I think we all 
can support these efforts. It is hard for me to believe that we can do much 
more, and thus I am loathe to drop our standards ---The key must be , does NU 
think with all of the academic help they will provide, do these kids have a good 
shot at graduating ? If so, then admit them, and continue to provide whatever 
support is needed-

Harry


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