UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 11.05.21

Dear Team:

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit with a couple of our University of Illinois student leaders, and one of the topics we covered was the affordability of higher education. In reflecting on the meeting, I was reminded how fortunate we are as a nation to have such high-quality and accessible public universities. Our public universities and colleges enroll 75 percent of all college students and more than 80 percent of undergraduate college students. Here in Illinois, the U of I System serves more than 94,000 students.

When students prepare to enter college, selecting a public vs. private university is often a topic of discussion. The most obvious difference between the two options is typically the cost of attendance, but the distinctions are more than just that. While both certainly offer students learning opportunities, many public universities also include “public service” in their mission statements. Serving our state, nation, and world through teaching, research, and community outreach has, perhaps, never been more critical than it is in our 21st-century world.

As a public institution, the University of Illinois has the responsibility of not only impacting its students’ lives but transforming all lives. We do that by providing our students with an affordable, accessible, and excellent education.  Additionally, we change lives through programs and services that directly benefit our local and global communities.  None of this is new or novel, but it should also not be understated or underestimated. I encourage all of us to take time to think about the impact the University of Illinois has on humanity, community, and discovery.  We have the great pleasure and honor of being part of a university system that impacts many dimensions.

Over the past 20 months much has been chronicled about the COVID-19 challenges the university helped solve or address. Those examples of public service are great points of pride; however, upon reflecting on all that we do, I thought it would be good to brag about a few other notable accomplishments. For instance: To better meet the needs of the Capital Region, UIS added three new schools and several new degrees this fall which are now open for enrollment. The Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute awarded a $9.9 million grant to UIC for research to combat disparities affecting maternal and infant outcomes for Black pregnant women. And here in Urbana-Champaign, among several new facilities opened this fall was the McKechnie Family LIFE Home Research Center.  This model home will be used to research in-home activities that will improve quality of life and independence for people of all ages and abilities. I’m sure you all could add a host of other impactful ways the University of Illinois changes lives, and I hope you share those examples broadly.

Speaking of service, I’d like to wrap up my message by wishing a Happy Veterans Day to all our veterans, specifically the many Illinois students, faculty, staff, and graduates who serve or have served in the U.S. Military. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all our veterans and their families for their selfless commitment to our nation. THANK YOU!

As always, have a great weekend, but this weekend, remember to turn your clocks back an hour Saturday night and enjoy an extra hour of sleep.

Cheers,

 

Jim