University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen on Thursday recognized the thousands of staff, faculty and students whose efforts made the challenging 2020-21 academic year not only possible at the three system universities but a model of success.
In a presentation to the U of I System Board of Trustees at its regular meeting, Killeen described the quick departure from the campuses as the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, as well the efforts that began immediately to safely navigate a future defined by unknowns.
“The first pandemic in a century was new ground for all of us. We had no idea what lay ahead. Few likely expected it would stretch on for months and now a year,” Killeen told trustees, who met virtaully due to the pandemic. “But we have made it through this year unlike any other, despite the barrage of challenges thrown our way.”
“In fact, we have made it one of our best ever. … We have done it thanks to the sacrifice, the perseverance, the creativity and the brilliance of our students, our faculty and staff, our leadership, our alumni, our donors and friends, and our partners in government,” the president added.
Partial in-person instruction resumed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) in August 2020 and continues this spring. Thanks to the covidSHIELD test-and-trace system developed at UIUC and the diligence of students, faculty and staff at all three universities, system-wide infection rates have remained far lower than for the state as a whole.
At the same time, the system and its three universities increased available financial aid and grew enrollment to over 90,000 students. And covidSHIELD testing is being offered to a growing number of colleges and universities, school systems and other organizations.
Killeen praised the work of the researchers who developed the testing system, as well as staff who have set up and operated covidSHIELD test sites. Killeen also thanked staff who have maintained buildings and grounds and kept them clean through the pandemic, healthcare workers who have treated numerous patients on the pandemic’s front lines, those who have kept computers and systems running in a newly dispersed environment with many people working from home, and many others.
Student Health Insurance
Trustees on Thursday approved health insurance for the 2021-22 academic year for students at UIS. Under the new rate, students will pay $947 a semester for health insurance, an increase of $55, or 6.2 percent.
The vendor was competitively selected based in part on enhanced coverage of mental health services in the Springfield area, a growing student need exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic.
Students may choose not to participate in the health insurance program if they have comparable insurance coverage from other sources.
Recognition
Trustees also recognized two people for their service to the U of I System through resolutions.
Jill B. Smart was a trustee for six years, leaving the board when her term ended in 2020. Smart was a champion for first-generation students and served as chair of the board’s Academic and Student Affairs Committee. She is an alumna of UIUC, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Smart was president of the National Academy of Human Resources and chief human resources officer for Accenture.
Thomas P. Hardy retired as executive director of the Office for University Relations in February after 18 years with the U of I System. In this role, Hardy served as the chief spokesman for the system, oversaw system and presidential communications and directed the system operation that responds to records requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. Previously Hardy was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune for nearly 20 years and later served as press secretary to former Gov. Jim Edgar.
