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Friday, November 6, 2009

I Hotel owner puts green structure on display

CHAMPAIGN – The award-winning solar house designed by University of Illinois students settled into its new home Thursday near the I Hotel and Conference Center.

A giant crane stood ready to lift the house onto a new foundation poured this week just southeast of the hotel.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Concerns raised about e-mail, calendar services at UI

URBANA – The University of Illinois is moving toward better e-mail and calendar services – the same free ones you use.

CITES Express licensing expires Dec. 31, 2010. But even before that, many departments have been dissatisfied with the services and have moved on to products of their own choosing.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

State shortfall may spell furloughs at UI

URBANA – The University of Illinois has so far seen only $400,000 of $317 million it is owed by the state, leading to a virtual hiring freeze and the possibility of furloughs.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Army to set up computer center at UI

CHAMPAIGN (AP) – The U.S. Army is financing a new research center at the University of Illinois to develop technology for computer networks used on battlefields and in other similarly difficult environments.

UI flash index's big increase is its first in two years

URBANA – The University of Illinois flash index rose substantially for the first time in two years, but a UI economist said it's too early to tell whether the recession is ending.

The index rose from 90 in September to 90.7 in October, said economist J. Fred Giertz, who compiles the index for the UI's Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

Monday, November 2, 2009

UI prof leads team that decodes DNA of pig

CHICAGO (AP) – An international group of scientists has decoded the DNA of the domestic pig, research that may one day prove useful in finding new treatments for both pigs and people, and perhaps aid in efforts for a new swine flu vaccine for pigs.

Pigs and humans are similar in size and makeup, and swine are often used in human research. Scientists say they rely on pigs to study everything from obesity and heart disease to skin disorders.

Ranks of millionaire college presidents up again

The fast-growing group of millionaire private college and university presidents hit a new record in recent years, and it's likely more college leaders will make seven-figure salaries once the slumping economy rebounds.

A record 23 presidents received more than $1 million in total compensation in fiscal 2008, according to an analysis of the most recently available data published Monday by the Chronicle of Higher Education. A record one in four in the study of 419 colleges' mandatory IRS filings made at least $500,000.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Japan House fall open house Saturday

URBANA – The Fall Open House at Japan House will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Japan House, 2000 S. Lincoln Ave., U.

At the event, Hajime Sugawara, a sixth-degree black belt, and Masahiro Imafuji, a fifth-degree black belt, both of the Central Indiana Kendo Club, will give "Kendo: The Way of the Sword" presentations at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. James Bier, designer of the Japan House gardens, will give garden tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

4 finalists for UI College of Media dean

URBANA – The University of Illinois College of Media has whittled its dean candidates to four finalists, and none is a local faculty member.

The finalists are:

Friday, October 30, 2009

A traffic nightmare? UI game collides with trick or treat

Here's a scary Halloween story: Tens of thousands of (possibly frustrated) football fans will be driving through Champaign-Urbana just as costumed children hit the streets.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

UI receives H1N1 vaccine, but not the kind it needs

URBANA – H1N1 vaccine has arrived on the University of Illinois campus, but it came with two complications: It's the wrong kind for people who need it the most – those with chronic health conditions – and there's not enough of it to hold a walk-in vaccination clinic.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

UI gets some H1N1 vaccine, but...

URBANA — H1N1 vaccine has arrived on the University of Illinois campus, but it came with two complications:

It’s the wrong kind for people who need it the most — those with chronic health conditions — and there’s not enough of it to hold a walk-in vaccination clinic.

Ex-UI chancellor now in running for NMSU presidency

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Former University of Illinois Chancellor Richard Herman is one of five finalists to become the next president at New Mexico State University.

UI team earns trip to world programming championship

URBANA – Three University of Illinois computer science students will go to China for the world championship in programming.

The UI's "Bardeen" team, named for the late Nobel Prize-winning UI physicist, edged out the University of Chicago by five minutes in solving seven of nine difficult programming and logic problems. The 34th annual Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest regional competition was held at the UI's Springfield campus over the weekend.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

UI faculty members applaud outgoing leaders

URBANA – At the prompting of Stanley Ikenberry, University of Illinois faculty stood and applauded the university's outgoing leaders Monday afternoon after they delivered their last formal addresses to the campus senate together.

UI Library holding book sale on Thursday

URBANA – Shopping for a good used book? The University of Illinois LIbrary will hold its annual book sale Thursday.

The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Marshall Gallery at the east entrance to the main library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive, U.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Herman: 'It's good to have the ambiguity resolved'

Chancellor Richard Herman, who announced his resignation last week, will spend his last day in office Monday. He sat down with The News-Gazette's Julie Wurth on Friday to talk about his decision to resign, his accomplishments and regrets over the past decade as provost and chancellor, the upheaval caused by the "Category I" admissions scandal, and the school's future. Excerpts follow. For the complete version, please click here.

New production of 'Camelot' coming to Assembly Hall

The Knights of the Round Table are coming to the University of Illinois later this month.

Lerner & Loewe's "Camelot," part of the WCIA 3 Broadway Series, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Assembly Hall Star Theatre.

UI's annual faculty meeting will have new roster at top

URBANA – Monday's annual meeting of the University of Illinois faculty may require a lineup card.

Normally the session hosted by the campus senate is a chance for professors to question the president and chancellor, and sometimes the provost, on all manner of issues.

Country-of-origin exhibition now on view at I space

CHICAGO – A nearly ubiquitous country-of-origin label seen on countless U.S. consumer goods is the subject of a new exhibition on view through Nov. 14 at I space, the Chicago gallery of the University of Illinois.

The exhibition, "made in china: Erik Hemingway and Allison Warren," explores the meaning of the phrase that appears on a practically endless stream of consumer goods marketed worldwide.

Outgoing UI chancellor opens up on his thoughts, views

Chancellor Richard Herman, who announced his resignation last week, will spend his last day in office Monday. He sat down with The News-Gazette Friday to talk about his decision to resign, his accomplishments and regrets over the past decade as provost and chancellor, the upheaval caused by the "Category I" admissions scandal, and the school's future.

Wine event proceeds to benefit UI hospitality program

URBANA – The local fifth annual celebration of a French wine release will be Nov. 23.

The Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration will include French wine and a cold buffet for $75 per person. Proceeds are for the University of Illinois' Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition's hospitality management program.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

UI trustees committee accepts Herman's resignation

CHICAGO – Richard Herman's resignation as chancellor of the University of Illinois was accepted unanimously by the board of trustees' executive committee Friday in a meeting that lasted less than 11 minutes.

Herman turned in his resignation Tuesday after months of revelations about interference with UI admissions by politicians and trustees. Last month, President B. Joseph White resigned.

Land-grant law keys wide-ranging talks

URBANA – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and several leaders at the University of Illinois are joining a host of government leaders, presidents of public universities and Lincoln scholars on the campus this weekend to discuss the future of higher education in the United States.

The conference, which kicked off Friday evening, is called "Lincoln's Unfinished Work: The Morrill Act and the Future of Higher Education."

Friday, October 23, 2009

Two companies share promising plans for future

URBANA – It's been a difficult year for many businesses, but two local companies said Thursday they won't let that stand in their way.

The chief executive officer of Champaign-based EpiWorks outlined his company's plan to expand into solar technologies, and the founder of iCyt Mission Technology introduced a new piece of cell-sorting equipment the company plans to distribute internationally.

Graduate student union plans attention-getting rally

CHAMPAIGN – The graduate student union at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana will rally Monday before a targeted audience: fellow graduate students.

From 8 to 8:30 a.m., the Graduate Employees Organization will rally outside the I Hotel and Convention Center, 1900 S. First St., C, where the Illinois Association of Graduate Schools Conference on Graduate Education and the Economy is being held.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Jogger dies after collapsing in front of UI police station

URBANA – The Champaign County coroner said he's not sure what killed a University of Illinois student who collapsed in front of the UI police station Monday morning.

Coroner Duane Northrup said Vincent J. Clarkson, 20, of Elburn was pronounced dead at 10:17 a.m. at the Provena Covenant Medical Center emergency room in Urbana. An autopsy showed no signs of trauma nor any suspicion of meningitis. He said a cause of death would have to wait until toxicology tests are completed.

Applicant files $5 million suit against UI

URBANA – A University of Illinois applicant has sued the university for $5 million over its now-discontinued "Category I" admissions system, a move administrators say they expected to happen.

Jonathon Yard of Taylorville, who was denied admission to the UI's Urbana campus, filed the class-action lawsuit Tuesday.

Funds or no funds, Lincoln Hall renovation fete is on

URBANA – University of Illinois officials are planning to celebrate the beginning of the restoration of Lincoln Hall on Friday – even though the long-anticipated project is still without a primary funding source.

UI student shares grand prize, nets $27,000

CHICAGO – A University of Illinois senior is $27,000 richer today, having shared the grand prize in the 2009 Collegiate Inventors Competition.

Stephen Diebold, 21, of Rolling Meadows was one of two grand prize winners named Tuesday. He was cited for his invention of the Drop Point, a device that helps quadriplegics with everyday tasks.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Chancellor Herman to stay on as assistant

URBANA – After spending years creating opportunities for underprivileged students, Chancellor Richard Herman lost his job because of his role in helping privileged students get into the University of Illinois.

Officials say resignation was right move for UI

URBANA – An admissions scandal, years in the making, had many expecting Richard Herman to resign as chancellor since last month, when Urbana's faculty-student senate voted to recommend that both he and the president of the University of Illinois step down.

The Sept. 14 resolution, approved 98-55, called for an orderly transition. Less than two weeks later, on Sept. 23, UI President B. Joseph White obliged by exiting first.

Mumford House needs a supporter with some pull

If you weren't concerned before about the future of the oldest building on the University of Illinois campus – a building the university has historically been indifferent to – you should be now.

The turnout Tuesday at a daylong session on what to do with Mumford House, a campus fixture for 139 years, was disappointing. There were few faculty members and even fewer students – this at a university noted for its College of Engineering and School of Architecture.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Herman resigns; Ikenberry, Easter to assume duties

URBANA – The University of Illinois made it official Tuesday: Chancellor Richard H. Herman will resign his campus leadership position effective Oct. 26 and return to teaching.

Meanwhile, Interim President Stanley Ikenberry and interim Provost Robert Easter will assume many of Herman's duties, possibly for several months.

Herman's letter to the campus

It has been the great privilege of my life to serve for 11 years as your
Provost and Chancellor. I will not reiterate the complicated and agonizing
steps that have brought us to this place, except to say that I regret the
circumstances. I'm confident that Illinois will be stronger for all that
we have learned from the controversy.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Rock Paper Scissors tournament brings in $30,000

Hundreds of people turned out at the University of Illinois' South Quad on Sunday evening to play Rock Paper Scissors.

Some of them were there to have fun. Others were hoping to win the top prize: a trip to Acapulco, Mexico.

But many of them said they joined in to help pay for underprivileged Champaign-Urbana children to go to summer camp.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

New exhibition at Krannert examines 'Control' issues

CHAMPAIGN – Artist's assistant Juliana Kase of Sao Paulo, Brazil, stood on a scaffold earlier this week inside a Krannert Art Museum gallery, using a black marker and a template to carefully draw on a white wall a stark representation of a chain-link fence.

Nearby, awaiting arrangement according to another artist's specifications, were numerous Tensabarriers, those crowd-control tools that we all have to pass through at airports, theaters, banks and other public venues.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

UI solar house shines with second-place showing

WASHINGTON – A University of Illinois solar house that took second place in an international competition will have a high-profile address when it returns to campus.

The 800-square-foot "Gable House" designed by students will be sited southeast of the I Hotel and Conference Centers on St. Mary's Road, pending final UI approval, team members said this week.

Invention to help quadriplegics makes finals in competition

CHAMPAIGN – Designing an assistive device for a quadriplegic friend has earned a University of Illinois student a place in the finals of the 2009 Collegiate Inventors Competition.

Stephen Diebold, a 21-year-old senior from Rolling Meadows, will compete against two other undergraduate students and six graduate students in the finals next week in Chicago.

Friday, October 16, 2009

UI still doesn't have H1N1 vaccine for students

URBANA — Parents of University of Illinois students wondering how soon their kids will be vaccinated for H1N1/swine flu will have to wonder a bit longer.

UI takes second in solar decathlon competition

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A solar-powered house designed by University of Illinois students took second place in a competition sponsored by the Department of Energy.

UI president says early years crucial for success of children

URBANA – In August 2006, B. Joseph White was bicycling around campus on move-in day – one of his favorite days of the year – talking to new students and their parents.

UI, GEO contract talks at a standstill

URBANA – The Graduate Employees' Organization at the University of Illinois has until next week to form a committee to discuss a possible strike on the Urbana campus.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Students hosting organ-donor drives on campuses

URBANA – When one of her close friends died, University of Illinois junior Lauren Wisniewski realized how many people would be helped because he was an organ donor.

Now she's encouraging others to become donors to help save the lives of more than 4,700 people in Illinois and 100,000 people nationwide waiting for organ or tissue transplants.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Brazilian beer magnate donates $16.5 million to UI

CHAMPAIGN – It isn't Carnaval, but things are looking pretty Brazilian at the University of Illinois this week.

Jorge Paulo Lemann, who took a Brazilian beer and soft drink maker through a merger with Europe's biggest beer company and then Anheuser-Busch, has committed $16.5 million to the Urbana campus.

Meeting will discuss future of Mumford House

URBANA – Discussions of what to do with Mumford House, the oldest building on the University of Illinois campus, resume next week with a daylong public planning meeting headed by architects and engineers who recently evaluated the small frame structure.

The 139-year-old building, originally used as a model farmhouse and the home of early deans of the UI College of Agriculture, was to have been moved to the university's South Farms until the UI Board of Trustees intervened last March. The trustees voted to keep the building where it has been since 1870, just off Lorado Taft Drive near the McFarland Memorial Bell Tower on the UI's South Quad.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

'Hip-Hop Project' offers in-depth view of vibrant culture

URBANA – Ask people what hip-hop means to them and you tend to get answers like bling, saggy pants or baseball hats worn to the side. Some folks might even make beat-box music.

All those water down a vibrant culture that has spread across the globe in a short amount of time, with roots that go far beyond Grandmaster Flash and other hip-hop pioneers to African and Caribbean music and culture, said Millicent Johnnie, a hip-hop scholar and dance professor at Southern Methodist University.

Beckman Institute marks 20 years of collaboration

URBANA – In 1985, the Illini baseball field, Strawberry Fields and a cinder track, five laps to the mile, dominated the area near Wright and University.

Within four years, a $50 million facility jutted from the area, a 20-year experiment in bringing scholars from different fields under one roof that has paid off with research that benefits our daily life.

UI has funny way of showing it has 'no secrets'

Earlier this year, University of Illinois President B. Joseph White appeared before an Illinois House committee and pledged that the university would be open and transparent when dealing with the public.

"We're a public university. There should be no secrets," he said.

Getting Personal: UI professor Bruce Hannon

Explain in one sentence what it is you do.

As a University of Illinois professor, I teach about and do research on the modeling of ecological and economic systems.

Marlee Matlin hoping to inspire others with new book

URBANA – The News-Gazette checked in with actress Marlee Matlin, who was the youngest winner of the Academy Award for best actress for "Children of a Lesser God" in 1986. More recently, you've seen her on "The L Word" on Showtime, NBC's "The West Wing" and the TV movie "Sweet Nothing in My Ear." She also performed in season six of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."

You can catch Matlin at "An Evening with Marlee Matlin" on the University of Illinois campus next week. The talk is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Illini Rooms at the Illini Union. Admission is free, and the doors open at 7:30 that evening. It's sponsored by the Illini Union Board and LGBT Resource Center.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Marshal feels honored, even though it rained on her parade

URBANA – A painter, a firefighter and a pilot in training, this year's homecoming parade marshal has seen a lot in 23 years, including two tours in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Katherine Maglia of the Illinois Air National Guard was to oversee the soggy proceedings Friday, but had only a reception to shine at, after the non-stop drizzle canceled the parade itself.

Exec wants extended, expanded home-buying incentives

CHAMPAIGN – The president of the Coldwell Banker Real Estate chain is pressing for the first-time home buyer credit to be extended and greatly expanded.

But Jim Gillespie said he doesn't know how successful the proposal will be because it could push up the federal deficit.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Student on homecoming court destined to attend UI

URBANA – B.J. Frobish started sporting orange and blue when he was far too young to understand what it was.

Frobish, who's 21, was featured as a baby in the University of Illinois Alumni News, sporting an orange-and-blue bib. The caption? "B.J. Frobish, Class of 2010."