Tag Archives: Bradley University

Bradley University

Bradley University Should Sell Avanti’s Property

2 Comments

In January 2023, Bradley purchased the Avanti’s property at University and Main for $690,000 according to Peoria County property records.

Bradley does not need property on the north side of Main. Bradley is on the south side of Main. What value does the Avanti’s property bring to Bradley? It will require either rehabbing or razing the property, and then it will require ongoing upkeep and potentially police monitoring (if they turn it into green space).

The stated reason for the purchase was to remove blight (Avanti’s is blight?) and make a more attractive entrance to campus. But that isn’t the entrance to campus. The entrance to campus is south of Main on the University S-curve where they have a beautiful stone sign with landscaping that was put in back in the 1990s.

The only reason the property would be of any real value is if Bradley wants to acquire more property on the north side of Main for future expansion. But that would decimate one of the oldest and most stable neighborhoods on the West Bluff: The Uplands.

If you want to see what Bradley expansion does to a neighborhood, look no further than the Arbor District, where Bradley razed all the houses on Maplewood and put up a five-story parking deck across the alley from residents on Cooper St. That resulted in most of the homes being converted from owner-occupied to rental housing. It’s not in the City’s best interests (nor Bradley’s) to destabilize yet another bordering neighborhood.

In July, Bradley announced in a press release that it has a $13 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2023. Jobs are going to be cut. Programs have already been cut, and there will likely be more coming. It’s hard to see how the Avanti’s purchase did not contribute to this problem.

Part of the reason they are in financial dire straits is because they spent too much on another property–the business and engineering convergence center that replaced Jobst Hall, which cost more to build than they were able to raise. They are only exacerbating their financial woes by acquiring more property they cannot afford.

Alumni of Bradley have recently received direct mailings requesting donations to The Bradley Fund, something they describe as “our primary way for Bradley alumni and friends to grow and strengthen the university through their annual support.” Why would alumni give money to a university that buys property they don’t need at a time when they’re millions of dollars under budget?

No, I don’t think any alumni should give Bradley any money until they show some fiscal responsibility. The convergence center is already built and financed, and it’s a part of campus, so there’s no way to get any money from that. But Bradley could recoup their losses from acquiring Avanti’s.

A good-faith display of the university’s efforts to right the ship and show alumni they’re trying to be good stewards of their money would be to sell the Avanti’s property. Admit that it was a mistake to purchase it. Acknowledge that they can’t afford it. Sell it. Sell it now.

Crime

Bradley student commits suicide (UPDATED)

4 Comments

This is the only information I have currently. It’s a press release from the Peoria Police Department:

On Sunday, December 02, 2012, at approximately 1137hrs, the Peoria Police Department responded to a report of a possible suicide of a Bradley University student at [address redacted for family’s privacy].

As officers were responding they were advised by the caller that their roommate had killed himself. Upon officer’s arrival, a 22 year old male victim was found shot inside his locked bedroom. The male had been shot one time. At this time the investigation indicates that there was no indication of foul play and this does appear to be a suicide.

UPDATE: Bradley University President Joanne Glasser has released a statement to the “Campus Community”:

Dear Campus Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I share with you news of the passing of Bradley University senior John Battistoni. John passed away Sunday morning at a residence [near campus]. The cause of death is being investigated; there is no indication of foul play.

John was a construction major in the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction and a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He was from LaGrange, Illinois.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to John’s parents, Richard and Grace; his entire family; his fraternity brothers and all of his friends at this most difficult time. A date and time for his funeral and memorial service have not been established. We will share those details when they become available.

Counseling Services are available for students who need assistance at 309-677-2700 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, please call 309-677-3200 for any assistance.

With deepest sympathy and prayers,

Joanne K. Glasser

Bradley University, City of Peoria

Students complain of broken promises at Main Street Commons

17 Comments

Bradley students and nearby residents of Main Street Commons, the new student apartment complex at the corner of Main and Bourland, have something in common: disappointment.

The Bradley Scout reported earlier this month:

Last year the apartment complex was announced as a new housing option for Bradley students and many were excited about the promises of free tanning, a swimming pool, furnished apartments, private bathrooms and flat screen TVs.

Roommates Jori Lee and Shabre Jones, both juniors, said they noticed differences between what they were told and what they actually got.

“They didn’t have a lot of the things they promised,” Lee said. “We’re going to have to use our own money to buy a router for internet when it seemed like WIFI was going to be everywhere in the building.”

Nearby residents have also noticed differences between what they were told and what they actually got. For instance, the artist’s rendering of the building showed an all-brick exterior, but what was actually put up was fiber cement siding made to look like a mix of brick and lap siding. No one was expecting it to be used partially as a freshman dorm, either.

Bradley University

Main Street Commons to include freshman dorm

38 Comments

The Bradley Scout has been doing a good job of following the progress on Main Street Commons, the apartment building that is being erected on the site of the old Walgreen’s on Main Street, across from Campustown. The project was originally sold to neighbors as an upscale apartment building for upperclassmen, graduate students, and young professionals. They also optimistically predicted that they would have 100% of the units leased by November 1, 2010.

Well, things haven’t been going so well. In late November last year, the Scout reported that “the company hoped to have all 188 units leased by Nov. 1. Now nearly three weeks have passed since the deadline and only 40 units have been leased.” In January, the Scout postulated that the building “isn’t renting at the pace investors had hoped” because “the $659 per person rental price sticker shock is likely a culprit.”

One of the investors is none other than Bradley University. Bradley won’t say specifically how much they’ve invested in the project, but Vice President for Business Affairs Gary Anna said back in September, “The preliminary stage of the project is $12 million, and we gave less than 10 percent of that.” So they’ve invested an amount not exceeding $1.2 million.

Last month, more bad news: More than half the units were still not leased. Nevertheless, officials with the project still expressed optimism that all the units would be leased by the time the building opens. Bradley’s Vice President of Student Affairs Alan Galsky was quoted as saying, “We would like to see the whole building filled with Bradley students. If not, Main Street Commons is prepared to fill it with other students staying in the Nexus Fostering Norfolk centers such as medical students and graduate students. It is very important that students know that the building is option for them, and is a very good one, in fact.” The article continues:

Galsky said in the event that the complex is unable to fill with Bradley students, he is unsure how on-campus housing will be affected.

“By the end of the month we will know how many have decided to stay in residence halls or move off-campus,” he said. “Once those numbers are in it will be a better indication. We are hoping that freshmen and sophomores move to Main Street Commons. If enough students move out into Main Street Commons there wouldn’t be an issue [in residential halls].”

That brings us to this month, and a new “study” Bradley is undertaking:

As part of a student developmental study, Bradley has extended the opportunity to incoming freshmen to live at Main Street Commons.

Vice President of Student Affairs Alan Galsky said 40 incoming students will be allowed to live at Main Street Commons in a very supervised situation. […]

Students who choose to participate in this opportunity will sign a 12 month lease with Main Street Commons and will still be able to purchase a dining hall meal plan.

All participating students will live on the same, co-ed floor, along with a residence advisor and assistant residence advisor.

“[Students living on the floor] will have the same rules and regulations as there are in the residence halls,” Galsky said. “There will be two students to a suite and same gender roommates.”

I asked Dr. Galsky via e-mail how Bradley’s investment in Main Street Commons and the fact that the rooms there are not being leased as quickly as hoped contributed to Bradley’s decision to allow freshmen to live off-campus at Main Street Commons. He responded:

Bradley’s investment was not a factor in the decision to allow freshmen to live in Main Street Commons. Instead, the University sought to devise a study to determine if freshmen could have a “true” residential living experience in an off-campus up-scale facility under similar conditions that exist in the residence halls, including having a Resident Advisor and Assistant Resident Advisor. This study is of interest to Bradley from both a student affairs/student development perspective and an enrollment management /marketing perspective. Program and activities for freshmen will be offered, just as in the residence halls.. This is being done as a one-year developmental study, and the University intends to collect a myriad of data that will help assess the students’ satisfaction and engagement as well as the overall success of the study.

A couple of things struck me about this answer. First, I have a hard time believing that Bradley’s investment “was not a factor” in this decision. I can totally believe it was not the main factor, and certainly that it wasn’t the only factor, but not a factor at all? That’s hard to accept. Secondly, he didn’t address the second part of my question (“…and the fact that the rooms there are not being leased as quickly as hoped…”). I think it’s pretty well established from earlier reports that Bradley wants Main Street Commons to relieve crowding in the residence halls, so it seems reasonable that, in the absence of enough upperclassmen choosing to relocate there, they’re looking for other ways to get Bradley students out of on-campus housing.

The inclusion of freshmen at Main Street Commons raises a couple of other questions. One, how does this affect the ability to lease the rest of the apartments to upperclassmen and young professionals? I mean, if you’re a young professional, would you want to lease an apartment in a complex that doubles in part as a freshman dorm? I put these questions to Jennifer Dunbar, marketing and leasing director of Main Street Commons, via e-mail, but she hasn’t responded to my request for comment.

Two, how do the neighbors feel about the inclusion of freshmen in this project? I asked University East Neighborhood Association (UENA) Vice President Conrad Stinnett for his comments. He said that his chief concern is that the project keeps changing. For instance, he sent me an e-mail the UENA received this February from Thomas Harrington, one of the developers of the project, in response to their concerns. Here’s one of the questions and answers:

[Q:] The residential aspect of the project was originally presented as high scale apartments that, while marketed to students, were open to the public. We have recently heard you are implementing Bradley housing rules- same sex roommates, no kegs, Residential Assistants, Residents-only food court, etc. This sounds more like a dormitory. Has the concept changed? Are non-student residents subject to the same rules as student renters?

[A:] The concept for Main Street Commons remains as an upscale housing development targeted at the Bradley student population. As has been previously stated, all potential renters are welcome. The rules and policies that have been put into place apply to all residents equally and consistently and are different from Bradley’s.

Three months later, it appears this is no longer the case.

This is a mixed-use development, so in addition to the apartments, there is also a retail component. I talked to Harrington about the progress that has been made to get tenants for the three retail spaces that front Main Street. So far, no leases have been signed, but they’re close to securing a food use (i.e., restaurant) lease for one of the spaces.

Bradley University

Bradley names new men’s basketball coach

11 Comments

From my inbox:

Geno Ford, the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year the last two seasons at Kent State University, will become the 13th head coach in Bradley Basketball history when he is formally introduced to the public during a noon press conference Monday in the Renaissance Coliseum arena.

The press conference will be open to the public and will be streamed live online at BradleyBraves.com. The Main Street Parking Deck will be open to members of the media and all attendees are encouraged to enter the arena through the Nick & Nancy Owens Atrium. The event also will be streamed live at http://www.bradley.edu/inthespotlight/story/?id=130731.

Ford replaces recently-fired men’s basketball coach Jim Les.

Bradley University

Main Street Commons update from Bradley Scout

10 Comments

The Bradley Scout has been keeping an eye on the new Main Street Commons and how quickly the new student housing facility is selling leases:

More than half of the apartments at Main Street Commons have yet to be leased, but both university administration and Main Street Commons are still optimistic.

“I’m really excited about second semester,” said Jennifer Dunbar, the building’s marketing specialist and leasing agent. “We had a slow first semester. It’s hard to lease a building when you can’t give a tour.”

Of the 188 units available only 88 have been leased, which is about double the number of units that were leased in November.

…Even though Bradley is financially involved in the building, Vice President of Student Affairs Alan Galsky said he is hopeful and would be surprised if Main Street Commons isn’t completely filled by the fall.

“I am cautiously optimistic the building will fill up,” he said. “We would like to see the whole building filled with Bradley students. If not, Main Street Commons is prepared to fill it with other students in the area such as medical students and graduate students.”

Main Street Commons is the multi-story apartment building being constructed on the site of the old Walgreens on West Main Street.

Bradley University, City of Peoria, Peoria County

IPL tries unconventional approach to collaboration

10 Comments

Word on the Street reveals that Bradley University’s “Institute for Principled Leadership [IPL] in Public Service” helped launched a rather unconventional City-County collaboration effort. In a surprising break from traditional negotiation, they didn’t tell the County Board anything about the endeavor. This simplified discussions considerably and was, by all accounts, non-confrontational. But the plan backfired when County Board members found out about it through the media. Rumor is that IPL will now have to resort to Plan B: communicating with all parties.

In a further effort to send mixed signals, they’ve dubbed the effort “PASS.” Yes. It’s an acronym that stands for “Peoria Area Shared Services.” (Here’s hoping Galesburg doesn’t attempt a similar acronym in their efforts to share services with Knox County.) IPL is now hoping that the County won’t pass on PASS after the PASS faux pas.

Bradley University

Bradley’s investment in Main Street Commons could be over $1M

1 Comment

Bradley isn’t saying exactly how much they invested in Main Street Commons, but they are saying this, from the Bradley University Scout:

Vice President for Business Affairs Gary Anna said Main Street Commons construction had been delayed due to the struggling economy, but Bradley had a hand in funding the first phase of building. “We took a piece of our endowment that had been set aside,” he said. “The preliminary stage of the project is $12 million, and we gave less than 10 percent of that. The money is not coming from a source that would construct a building on campus or for equipment for labs, so we’re not shortchanging the students. There is a return on our end that will go back to the endowment.”

Less than 10% of $12 million is any amount up to $1,199,999.99.

Bradley University

Bradley reaches out to geriatric alums, books Leno for homecoming

18 Comments

I received the following press release today from Bradley University:

Jay Leno will headline Bradley Homecoming

Peoria, IL (July 26, 2010) Late night television superstar Jay Leno will be the headline entertainer at Bradley University’s Homecoming on Saturday, October 16 in the university’s new on-campus arena. The arena will be dedicated during Homecoming.

“We are very excited to bring a recognized comedian and entertainer like Jay Leno to help dedicate our arena,” Bradley University President Joanne Glasser said. “Jay Leno will be a marvelous attraction for our alumni, our students and community members, helping make the 2010 Homecoming a special celebration.”

Leno became host of NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1992, replacing the legendary Johnny Carson. Leno began his career in nightclubs, where he worked 300 nights a year before hitting it big as a frequent guest and then hosting The Tonight Show. Despite his television commitment, he continues to perform live a clubs and venues over 150 nights a year. He has appeared on television, acted in several films, wrote a number of books and is one of the most recognizable figures in the entertainment industry. A 2009 Harris Poll named the Emmy Award winning comedian America’s Favorite TV Personality.

Homecoming will kick-off on October 13 with the traditional lighting of the “B” atop Bradley Hall. Other activities over the four-day event include a tailgate party and bonfire, a Saturday soccer game against the University of Central Arkansas, “Midnight Madness” basketball practice for both the men’s and women’s teams, dedication ceremonies for the new arena, campus and arena tours, Late Night BU for students and alumni, an alumni luncheon, and much more.

The $50 million arena, opening this fall, is a 4500-seat venue that will host major campus activities as well as serve as home to Bradley athletics. The arena houses athletic offices, state-of-the-art practice, training/conditioning facilities, the athletics hall of fame and other features, along with serving as home court for both the women’s basketball and volleyball teams. The structure was built on the site of the historic Robertson Memorial Field House, a venue where the University hosted major concerts and athletic events for six decades. The arena is one of the capital improvements that are the focus of The Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance launched in April 2008 with a goal of $150 million.

Ticket information for Jay Leno’s appearance will be released when it becomes available.

Jay Leno? Bradley is obviously not trying to appeal to young people with that move. This is aimed directly at the aging baby boomers who just love Leno’s … “humor.” They’re the ones with the bucks, seeking immortality by getting their names on things like recreation centers. So, from a fundraising perspective, this is a good move on Bradley’s part.

Still, it’s too bad they couldn’t book a classier act for this event. Like a real comedian, for instance.

Bradley University

Bradley student senate wants new mascot committee

5 Comments

The Bradley Scout reports:

Student Senate passed a resolution this week calling for University President Joanne Glasser to form a mascot committee. If formed, that committee would be responsible for slating ideas for a new mascot….

[Student Body President Kyle] Malinowski said there are several reasons senate wants to make the change now. Philosophically, it fits with the Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance because of the mindset of being in a renaissance as well as campus’ physical changes.

“The less philosophical reason is we have the best people in the position right now to do it,” he said. “We have a new university president who is all about shaking things up, a new athletic director, a new director of marketing whose job was charged by President Glasser to brand the university and we’ll eventually have a new provost.”

In 1993, Bradley decided to keep the Braves name, but use a bobcat as its mascot. In 2000, officials said the students had a “lack of affinity” for the bobcat and got rid of it. Then a survey for a new mascot was circulated in 2006-7 resulting in several options (including oddities like a fighting squirrel and a clock tower) but the university didn’t choose any of them.