Illini Bucks Effect

Personally, I feel that introducing the concept of Illini Bucks into the already established academia is a double edged sword.  At the Individual level, it will allow students who have accrued a large amount of Illini Bucks a more competitive edge when it comes time for class registration.  Those who save their bucks will be better off when it comes to picking classes that fit their ideal schedule.  Therefore, certain students will be able to avoid classes with low demand, such as uninteresting courses and 8am's, and be given an opportunity to choose classes that are more intriguing.  The problem with this system however, is a mjaority of students will more than likely save their Illini Bucks for the sole purpose of class registration.  As a result, the system will in effect cancel itself out and, since older students will have more of an opportunity to gather additional Illini Bucks, leave the registration platform in the same way as before the introduction of Illini Bucks.  One way that Illini Bucks would be able to change the face of class registration is if a variety of other incentives are provided for the purchasing power of varying amounts of Illini Dollars.  Such incentives could allow the Illini Bucks to be spent on various sports games throughout campus.  Another good that can be offered in exchange for Illini dollars is public parking.  As a student with a car here on campus, the supply of affordable parking in the local area is shockingly low.  There are meters placed at basically every parking spot imaginable, and often high fees are assessed to park in the many private lots around town.  Having one's vehicle towed is highly probable, and therefore creates another anticipated yearly cost.  Because of this, Illini bucks could be exchanged for meter time and parking spots on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.  Offering more incentives will create a competitive market and entice students to choose to spend their bucks on what they deem is more rewarding.

Illini Bucks have huge promise to undermine the system that is already in place.  Especially when talking about different prices that are determined for purchasing the Illini Dollars.  As of now, registration is offered in a priority method of senority, and Acadamic standing.  This allows older students an opportunity to obtain the proper classes required for their major so they are able to graduate at an appropriate time.  Also, those students with a higher academic status, James scholars and Evans Scholars, are offered priority registration as well.  Providing a reward for academic performance, such as creating a higher possiblity for students to get classes they desire, will motivate, and hopefully lead to increased academic achievements.  In regards to these issues, if the price of Illini Bucks are really high, then those with more resources will be able to accrue copious amounts of them.  This will eliminate established senority and rewarded academic status, since younger students and any individual with the right amount of cash will be able to purchase these Bucks to pick the classes or whatever incentive they desire.  For low cost, I feel there will be no effect, since everybody will be able to buy a large amount of Illini Dollars.

I feel in order for this system to work properly, Illini Bucks should not be paid for, but in turn be a reward for different achievements around campus.  Such achievements would include, but not be limited to, academic performance, community involvement, and campus volunteer work.  Because of the nature of the Illini Bucks, this reward program should elicit more student cooperation around campus and provide one with further motivation to invest in their academics here at the University of Illinois.