Student Life at Illinois: 2010-Present

2010

  • Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team won the National Championship.
  • University received funds to renovate Lincoln Hall.
  • Stanley Ikenberry named interim President.
  • Michael J. Hogan named the 18th President of the University in May.
  • Student Dining and Residential Programs building–first part of Stanley O. Ikenberry Commons construction project–completed.
  • University of Illinois led the nation in the number of Fulbright Scholarships awarded.

2011

  • February snowstorm caused classes to be canceled for two days.
  • March 23rd fire on Green Street forced Mia Za’s Cafe, Zorba’s, and Pitaya to close. The businesses reopened roughly one year later.
  • Phyllis Wise named Chancellor.
  • Mike Thomas appointed Athletic Director to succeed the retiring Ron Guenther.
  • Ron Zook fired as football coach and replaced by Tim Beckman.

2012

  • Jolette Law fired as women’s basketball coach and replaced by Matt Bollant.
  • Bruce Weber fired as men’s basketball coach and John Groce named as replacement.
  • UIUC students approve a fee to help the Daily Illini in March.
  • Michael J. Hogan resigned as President and Robert Easter chosen as his successor.
  • Alma Mater statue sent to Forest Park, IL for renovation.
  • Timothy J. Nugent Hall completed.

2013

  • Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) went on strike.
  • Late March storm dumped nearly a foot of snow on the campus, causing classes to be canceled.
  • University police increased their use of surveillance cameras.
  • Blue Waters computing facility officially opened.
  • Alumni astronaut Mike Hopkins spoke to students from aboard the International Space Station in October.
  • In November, the YMCA lost support from the Catholic Church over its connection to a group that supported same-sex marriage.
  • Assembly Hall renamed State Farm Center ahead of expected renovations.
  • Former student Dany Sammak from Saudi Arabia arrested and deported after making terrorist-like threats on campus.

2014

  • In January, Chancellor Phyllis Wise was the target of sexist and racist online comments after her decision to keep campus open despite the cold.
  • College of Business offered a 3D printing class.
  • Adjunct instructor James Kilgore’s contract was not renewed because of his former ties with the Symbionese Liberation Army.
  • Illinois’ pension reform laws resulted in mass retirements.
  • Crop Sciences major Richard Fu of Taiwan was reported missing in June, after going swimming with two other students off the coast of Brazil while studying abroad.
  • Chancellor Phyllis Wise blocked the appointment of Steven Salaita to the American Indian Studies Program. As a result, nearly 6,000 professors nationwide support boycotting the university, 16 departments voted “no confidence” in the administration, and Salaita sued the University after being denied a request for public documents.
  • Timothy L. Killen named 20th president of the University of Illinois.
  • In December, Central Black Student Union organized peaceful marches and a Die-In when hundreds of students protested the events that unfolded in Ferguson, Missouri regarding Mike Brown.