University Safety Ratings

According to the rankings at State University.com, SIUC ranks 18th in the state in terms of safety, based on reported crimes and number 7 compared to other state universities.  One thing that differentiates SIUC from other top ranked universities is the reported incidents of arson, reported at only two of the other rated institutions.  At least no murders took place, as did at U of I Chicago.

President Poshard on SIUC

Had the opportunity to attend Glenn Poshard's presentation to the Chamber of Commerce on the status of SIUC.  It's not good.  I will post details later but the general gist is that the university has taken hits from all sides in terms of customers, competition, and funding.  One thing I found particularly interesting was Poshard's last slide which looked at what the city could do to increase attendance. His two points were safety and beautification.  He believes that high schools and universities in other areas that the school could recruit from still view SIUC as a party school and parents may view the city as unsafe.  Neighborhood Scout certainly thinks so.

Apparently Poshard's beautification rap on the city comes from his perception of Hwy 13 east of the city as littered and trashy, not presenting a good image for parents and their children entering the city from that direction, which most do.    That's the first I time I have heard anyone comment on excessive litter on the east side of town.  From his speech, I gather Poshard wants civic minded citizens to spend time on Hwy 13 east cleaning up the roadside.

North Highway 51 Closed

According to the C'd Police website, around 1:30 this afternoon, a freight train derailed in the north part of Carbondale, across from the Crossings mobile home park. Though there is no suspected health or safety threat, traffic on 51 through the area is being detoured over to New Era Road.