The University of Illinois campus near Urbana-Champaign is the founding school of the 18-member U-of-I network. It’s a prominent research facility with a well-known athletic programs and comprehensive student facilities. 

Founded as the “Illinois Industrial University” in 1867, the school was initially slow to add liberal arts studies to its curricula. By 1885, the name changed to the “University of Illinois,” and the scope of disciplines broadened considerably. 

Today, more than 40,000 students are enrolled in Illinois’ leading state university. Some of the world’s most cutting-edge research is accomplished here, making the University of Illinois especially attractive to students pursuing a career in the sciences.  

Student Life
The University of Illinois bolsters the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign with its rich and dynamic atmosphere. The campus boasts world-class performance art centers and the Illini Union, which hosts hundreds of lectures, concerts and programs throughout the year. Champaign and Urbana each have a nucleus of shops, restaurants and bars, but the best offerings are in walking distance of the central campus.

Countless clubs and organizations are registered with the University of Illinois, guaranteeing students have an outlet through which to explore and develop their interests. Furthermore, the university’s thriving fraternity and sorority system coupled with the strong college-sports tradition means students are never short of things to do.

Diversity
The sheer number of students enrolled at the University of Illinois guarantees a level of diversity. In fact, the university has one of the top 10 highest international enrollments of any public university in the US, though this only equates to roughly 6 percent of the student population. 

Even so, the university works hard to promote cross-cultural dialogue. The campus operates Asian-American, Afro-American, Native American cultural centers, along with La Casa Cultural Latina. 

The international contingency is served by the International Student and Scholar Services, which provides cultural orientation programs, advice and assistance to those who hail from far away.  

Academic Programs & Resources
As expected of a school of this size, the University of Illinois operates courses of study in everything from fine arts to applied sciences. Classes are large in mainstream subjects, with an average of 17 students for every faculty member on campus. 

The university specializes in studies related to agriculture and business. There is definitely focus on science and research, with liberal arts facilities receiving less funding and publicity. 

With such high student enrollment, students may not be guaranteed access to their professors outside of the lecture hall, especially in larger classes. However, virtually all professors operate regular office hours and employ a team of teaching assistants to help students with their assignments or to clarify the material.  

Faculty & Staff
More than 20 faculty and alumni from the University of Illinois have received the Nobel Prize, and as many more have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Recent faculty members to garner international claim are Paul C Lauterbur, creator of the MRI, and Anthony Leggett, a pioneer in low-temperature physics. 

The top professors are likely to deliver their lectures to large groups of students, fielding questions when possibility while relegating much of the student-teacher interaction to teaching assistants. Generally, these high-ranking professors are much more accessible to the post-graduate students that work with them. 

Safety, Health & Wellness
The University of Illinois employs a well-tuned campus security system. Blue emergency phones are scattered across campus, and security officials are constantly present. There is also a SafeRides system in place that shuttles students to campus dorms or apartments during late-night hours. 

The campus promotes student wellness through health clubs and special events, and students also have access to world-class fitness facilities. 

Furthermore, all enrolled students have access to McKinley Health Center with its clinics, pharmacy and dial-a-nurse service. Many of these services are provided for free or at cost, but medical insurance cover should still be in place as emergencies are handled by area hospitals. 


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