A fresh, new look on campus

Here's a guide to bring you up to speed on what's happening on the University of Illinois campus and what might be the hot topics of conversation this school year:

1. Memorial Stadium renovation. One of the changes you can't miss is the major overhaul of the UI football venue. Students, since you left in the spring, the construction crews have been busy making sure the north stands are done by the start of the football season this year. The entire project won't be completed until the start of the 2008 football season, although you will be able to see some changes when you head to a game this fall.

A noticeable change for students is the student section is moving – and not all students are on board with the move. Students will now sit in the north end zone instead of midfield. This fall, students will be able to sit in the new north stands, said Warren Hood, the UI associate athletic director who's overseeing the renovation. There will be all new restrooms and concessions in that area and the scoreboard has been moved from the north to the south end of the stadium.

During this year's football season, renovation work will continue on the west side of the stadium, meaning fans can sit only in Rows 5 to 40; above Row 40 will be a construction zone. By the time it's all done, there will be more luxury seating, accessible restrooms, new concessions, a new press box, workout room for the football team, and other features.

More info: www.fightingillini.com

2. Chief Illiniwek. Speaking of football, all eyes will be on the field at halftime for the first home football game as the Marching Illini perform without Chief Illiniwek. With the Chief now part of the university's history, the Marching Illini's plans for halftime include playing the same music as the band always plays.

"It will look as it always has, except there will be no gap between I-L-L and I-N-I," Marching Illini director Peter Griffin said.

In case you're not up to speed about Chief Illiniwek: He's gone. In February, UI Board of Trustees Chairman Larry Eppley announced the Chief's final performance would be at the last men's home basketball game in the spring. University trustees passed a resolution in March affirming the decision. Several lawsuits to stop the university from retiring the Chief have failed.

The university is keeping the logo, but sales of Chief-related merchandise are expected to dwindle during the next year. University officials have said the school will not approve any Chief Illiniwek-related wholesale merchandise orders for shipment beyond Dec. 31, 2007.

3. Diversity. Over the years, news of parties where students have dressed up as other races has often sparked concerns and discussions about diversity and intolerance on campus.

Last year, some students at a "Tacos and Tequila" party dressed up as Mexican stereotypes, prompting outrage among the student community. A rally, march and forum on racism followed, and many students have vowed to keep the issues in the forefront this year. At the forum, students spoke out against Chief Illiniwek but also raised concerns about how some minorities do not feel safe on campus.

Student groups this year are expected to continue to push the university for change and to continue to increase minority representation among the students, faculty and staff, investigate and report acts of intolerance and follow up on other recommendations suggested by the students. Alongside this issue are bound to be more discussions about free speech on campus.

4. Energy. As energy costs have soared and consume more of the UI's budget, students, faculty and staff have ramped up their efforts to make the place more green. Several groups, task forces and committees have been meeting since last year, and this year you can expect to hear more about formal campus commitments on how the university will reduce its carbon imprint.

You can also expect more discussions on a universitywide energy policy and recommendations on how exactly students and staff can reduce energy use and improve efficiency. Student projects, such as a waste-oil-to-biofuel project, also will kick off this year.

More information: www.energymanagement.uiuc.edu.

5. Global Campus. Last summer UI President B. Joseph White unveiled a proposal to create a new online education program, Global Campus. Since then administrators, faculty and students have been weighing the proposal.

White has said there are three main reasons for Global Campus: mission, mastery and money. First, the university has a mission to offer a quality education to students. Second, the university should enable professors and students to master online education. Third, as state appropriations in recent years have declined, stayed flat or increased marginally, the UI needs a new revenue source.

Start-up expenses have been estimated around $20 million, but the program could turn a profit by the end of the fifth year of operation.

Trustees formally approved Global Campus in the spring. That decision was preceded with some heated discussions among faculty and students about how the unit will be run, how the courses are chosen, and who will teach and how.

With offices in the Henry Administration Building and new marketing and information technology people on board, the program is moving along. It's expected to enroll students in 2008. Expect some more news about its progress and business plan this fall.

More information: www.uigc.uillinois.edu.