New Expansion Poll Thread

[DUBulldog]

Overall, a very good post. I do want to just touch on the part that I bolded. As a native of the Chicago area, I know for sure that UIC is within spitting distance of unsafe areas. And, as you said, UIC itself is safe. So, I'm not sure what the relevance is of mentioning that it's close to unsafe areas. So is Creighton. So is Butler. So is Drake. So is the MVC tourney in St. Louis. I'm guessing that most urban colleges are close to an unsafe area. Not sure why UIC should be singled out for that.

Anyway, I'm much more excited about Murray and Belmont joining than I am UIC. But, if it came down to UIC, UTA and UMKC, UIC is by far the best choice of those 3.

That's a fair point. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned crime. Perhaps crime feels like more like an issue at UIC because everyone there is coming from somewhere else and therefore are often passing through bad neighborhoods (by train, or interstate, or whatever). The private schools you mentioned all have significant residential populations. At Butler, two-thirds of the students live in campus-owned housing. At Creighton, more than half do. At UIC, 6% of students live in campus housing. So it just feels different I guess. Again, to be clear, UIC is an outstanding university. I mean, it really is a legit top-notch institution. I just don't think its athletics program is consistent with what I've always believed about the Valley. But times do change.

In any case, I wish the MVC well and I wish the Flames well.

Thanks for your response. That actually make a lot of sense. I was thinking more of fans travelling to games, but you make an excellent point about UIC being mostly a commuter school, where the students have to travel through potentially dangerous neighborhoods just to get to class.

[Chuck A]

Overall, a very good post. I do want to just touch on the part that I bolded. As a native of the Chicago area, I know for sure that UIC is within spitting distance of unsafe areas. And, as you said, UIC itself is safe. So, I'm not sure what the relevance is of mentioning that it's close to unsafe areas. So is Creighton. So is Butler. So is Drake. So is the MVC tourney in St. Louis. I'm guessing that most urban colleges are close to an unsafe area. Not sure why UIC should be singled out for that.

Anyway, I'm much more excited about Murray and Belmont joining than I am UIC. But, if it came down to UIC, UTA and UMKC, UIC is by far the best choice of those 3.

That's a fair point. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned crime. Perhaps crime feels like more like an issue at UIC because everyone there is coming from somewhere else and therefore are often passing through bad neighborhoods (by train, or interstate, or whatever). The private schools you mentioned all have significant residential populations. At Butler, two-thirds of the students live in campus-owned housing. At Creighton, more than half do. At UIC, 6% of students live in campus housing. So it just feels different I guess. Again, to be clear, UIC is an outstanding university. I mean, it really is a legit top-notch institution. I just don't think its athletics program is consistent with what I've always believed about the Valley. But times do change.

In any case, I wish the MVC well and I wish the Flames well.

Thanks for your response. That actually make a lot of sense. I was thinking more of fans travelling to games, but you make an excellent point about UIC being mostly a commuter school, where the students have to travel through potentially dangerous neighborhoods just to get to class.

Actually 20% of students (6,800) live in campus housing. Those students that do live on campus, obviously don't travel through potentially dangerous neighborhoods to get to class. The others, like what was mentioned for Creighton, Butler, Drake, et al, might drive or catch public transportation through potentially dangerous neighborhoods.

[TBS_20]

Well this has taken a stereotypical turn. Possibly rooted in racism. Might want to just drop the neighborhood subject.

[Chuck A]

Well this has taken a stereotypical turn. Possibly rooted in racism. Might want to just drop the neighborhood subject.

Please do. Thank you!

[05Racer]

Well this has taken a stereotypical turn. Possibly rooted in racism. Might want to just drop the neighborhood subject.

I don't think it's racist to point out that Chicago can be a dangerous place. It is perhaps unfair to single Chicago out. The reality is most American cities are dangerous when compared with counterparts in Canada, Australia, most of Europe and most of East Asia. American cities are also by and large more dangerous than rural areas in terms of crime. There are many opinions why this is so (racism, guns, violent video games, etc.), but it's just facts. The accusation of racism is tossed around entirely too casually these days. Let's not go down that rabbit hole, eh.

[TBS_20]

Well this has taken a stereotypical turn. Possibly rooted in racism. Might want to just drop the neighborhood subject.

I don't think it's racist to point out that Chicago can be a dangerous place. It is perhaps unfair to single Chicago out. The reality is most American cities are dangerous when compared with counterparts in Canada, Australia, most of Europe and most of East Asia. American cities are also by and large more dangerous than rural areas in terms of crime. There are many opinions why this is so (racism, guns, violent video games, etc.), but it's just facts. The accusation of racism is tossed around entirely too casually these days. Let's not go down that rabbit hole, eh.

I'm not calling anyone specific racist just trying to make sure this hole is not dug deeper.

[Action10]

Well this has taken a stereotypical turn. Possibly rooted in racism. Might want to just drop the neighborhood subject.

I read through this thread and racism didn't cross my mind until reading your post.
I have a legitimate question. How did this line of thinking envoke racist thoughts? I am at a loss because it didn't occur to me and I don't understand where that came from.

[TBS_20]

Well this has taken a stereotypical turn. Possibly rooted in racism. Might want to just drop the neighborhood subject.

I read through this thread and racism didn't cross my mind until reading your post.
I have a legitimate question. How did this line of thinking envoke racist thoughts? I am at a loss because it didn't occur to me and I don't understand where that came from.

A bunch of white guys talking about neighborhoods that a very largely tilted black

[TBS_20]

Discussing it at the next rally is one thing. This isn't the place.

[bleach]

A bunch of white guys talking about neighborhoods that a very largely tilted black

Where does this site list race? I was unaware we were a bunch of white guys. Maybe I don't belong on here.