Campus Events 1970-1961

CAMPUS EVENTS: 1970 - 1961

Police in rain gear and protective riot gear on Wright Street, near the Chi Omega sorority house, during protests in March 1970.

1970

Afro-American Studies Commission established.
Black Law Students Association formed.
Students objected to installation of Illiac IV when it is discovered that two-thirds of the new computer’s time was reserved for the Department of Defense.
On February 24th, the ROTC lounge in the Armory was firebombed.
In wake of Illiac IV controversy, hundreds of students protested General Electric on-campus recruiting on March 2nd. Curfew imposed in response to protest. National Guardsmen called in to enforce curfew.
Following the March 2nd afternoon protest, Trustees canceled a planned evening appearance by attorney William Kunstler. The decision led to several days of demonstrations. Kunstler ultimately appeared on campus, speaking to a crowd of 6,519 at Assembly Hall on March 24th.
Students celebrated the first Earth Day.
President Henry announced retirement.
Teaching assistants formed Assistants Union.
Killings of four Kent State students on May 4th sparked a series of campus protests. Students went on strike. The National Guard mobilized again.
“Rap on Quad”–precursor to Quad Day–held.
Gay Liberation Front–offshoot of national group–organized on campus.
Record Service opened.
Yippie Festival of Life held at Armory.
Psychology Building opened.
University offered its first Women’s Studies course.

1969

Over 100 people protested Marine recruiting at Illini Union.
African-American students rallied against racism.
Undergraduate Library and Krannert Center opened.
Undergraduate Student Association (UGSA) founded, succeeded Champaign-Urbana Student Senate.
UGSA member jailed for draft resistance.
Afro-American Cultural Program instituted.
Moratorium against the Vietnam War attracted thousands. On October 15th, 9,000 people marched from the Illini Union to West Side Park.
African-American students protested killings in Chicago of Black Panther leaders.
Faculty organized Union of Professional Employees.

1968

Walrus began publication.
On April 3rd, 400 students took part in National Day of Resistance rally at the Illini Union.
On May 24th, approximately 80 students held Vietnam Commencement in honor of those unwilling to cooperate with the draft.
Project 500 started in effort to boost African-American enrollment. On September 9-10 some 252 students were arrested after staging a sit-in at the Illini Union to protest the inadequacies of Project 500.
Coordinated Science Lab dedicated.
Co-op food store opened.

Film critic Roger Ebert was editor of the Daily Illini and leader of SCOPE, 1967

1967

University celebrated its centennial.
On February 24th and October 25th, student groups protested on-campus recruitment by Dow Chemical. During the October protest 200 students occupied the East Chemistry Building (now called Roger Adams Laboratory) for five hours. Seven students were expelled for their involvement in the October protest but subsequently reinstated.
Slush fund scandal led to Big Ten Conference suspension of Illini football team.
Black Student Association founded.
Students Against the Clabaugh Act formed, became Students for Free Speech. Group brought Communist speaker to campus.
Patsy Parker elected student body president.
Existence of Security Office files revealed.
At an October 16th rally, two students burned their draft cards on the Quad. On December 20th, a former student burned his draft card at a Board of Trustees meeting.

1966

On February 26th underage drinkers sought in raid of Kam’s and dozens of students are rounded up.
Dean of Students Fred Turner resigned. He was succeeded by Stanton Millet.
Separate chancellors were named for the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign campuses.
Florida Avenue Residence Hall opened.
Europa House established, offering apartment living for 72 women.
University janitors went on strike.
Report revealed very low African-American enrollment at the University.
National Student Association convention held on campus.
Recognition for Dubois Club sought. Board of Trustees ultimately denied recognition for the group.

1965

The University of Illinois campus in Chicago opened after 22 months of construction
SCOPE (Student Committee on Political Expression) organized. Roger Ebert was one of the group’s leaders.
Student Senate began campaign to liberalize housing regulations. Dean Turner agreed to extend women’s closing hours to midnight on Sundays and days preceding vacations.
Ad Hoc Faculty Committee on Vietnam organized teach-in on the war and attracted one thousand students.
Free Speech area at southeast corner of Illini Union opened.
On September 29th former Acting President Lloyd Morey died while addressing a meeting in Champaign.
Beginning on October 15th, Students for a Democratic Society held a two-day protest over U.S. policy in Vietnam.
SCOPE organized protest against Dean of Students Fred Turner.
On November 16-18 students held blood drive for soldiers in Vietnam. Over 2000 pints of blood collected.

1964

Illinois defeated Washington in Rose Bowl, 17-7.
The College of Education Building dedicated.
First campus Students for a Democratic Society organized.
Turner Hall constructed.
Illinois Street Residence Halls and Commerce West Building opened.
Compulsory ROTC ended.
Over 9000 qualified applicants denied admission to the University.
Committee on Student Affairs recommended that “Free Speech” area be constructed.
Students objected to not being consulted regarding proposed Intramural Building.
Rally against the Vietnam War held on December 18th.

Assembly Hall, 1963

1963

Assembly Hall opened.
Illini Union addition opened in March.
Illini House launched to provide tutoring services for African-American children.
Illi-Oskee, an Illini Union spring event, held on the weekend of April 19th.
Men’s basketball team shared Big Ten title.
Beginning on September 16th, students conducted a week-long silent vigil memorializing four African-American youths killed in the bombing of Birmingham Sunday school.
Students staged sit-in at Champaign City Building in support of municipal open-housing legislation.
Some 11,500 people attended a ceremony at the Assembly Hall memorializing President John F. Kennedy.
In November, a student passing out religious literature in front of the Library is arrested for trespassing. He was later found innocent.

1962
No Info Provided

1961

“Twist” dance craze hit campus.
Last “water riot” was held on May 31st after 60 students faced charges following the blinding of a local radio newsman in one eye.
Students staged “talkathon” and succeeded in talking for 60 uninterrupted hours. The following year, Illini residence hall students supposedly talked for 609 uninterrupted hours.
Revision in state law raised drinking age for women from 18 to 21, the same age as men.
Peabody Drive Residence Halls and Krannert Art Museum completed.
Illibus began fall semester with an expanded schedule, including routes to Orchard Downs.
Committee on Student Affairs passed bill calling for end to racial discrimination in fraternities, sororities, and off-campus housing.
Members of SACROTC picketed Military Ball in protest of compulsory ROTC.
On November 8th, student James Mautz killed girlfriend Susan Stout and then committed suicide in a graduate dormitory.

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