1960

Portrait of Leo Koch, University professor of biology who was censured in 1960 for his editorial comments regarding relationships among unmarried students at the University., circa 1955

The Committee for Liberal Action (CLA) formed to “fight student and administration apathy.” The group placed stickers protesting racial discrimination in store windows, and stages a sit-in at Walgreens.

Biology instructor Leo Koch is fired after writing letter to Daily Illini endorsing premarital sex. In response, American Association of University Professors censured the University for five years. CLA members hung effigy of President Henry from tree in front of YMCA to protest firing.

Senior Ron Stein won the pentathlon at the first Paralympic Games, held in Rome. Five UI wheelchair student-athletes and three alumni earned gold medals at the games.

Ex-President Arthur Willard died.

Shortly before he is elected president, Sen. John F. Kennedy addressed some 10,000
people on the Quad.

1961

A student dorm room, circa 1960

“Twist” dance craze hit campus.

Last “water riot” is held 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, UI residence hall students supposedly managed to talk 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.

Members of SACROTC picketed Military Ball in protest of compulsory ROTC. University imposed ban of picketing.

1962

Philosophy professor Harry Tiebout opened the so-called “Year of Breakthrough” with speech condemning student apathy.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Building, Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Halls and Student Services Bulding opened.

New Physics Building (Loomis Laboratory) completed.


Student Peace Union protested American action in Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Alma Mater statue moved to its current location after standing for over thirty years behind the Auditorium.

Americans for Democratic Action organized on campus.

1963

Assembly Hall was opened in 1963, circa 1963

Assembly Hall opened.

Study center set up for African-American youths.

Men’s basketball team shared Big Ten title.

Students conducted week-long silent vigil memorializing four African-American youths killed in bombing of Birmingham Sunday school.

Students staged sit-in at Champaign City Building in support of municipal open-housing legislation.

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.

Committee on Student Affairs recommended that “Free Speech” area be constructed.

1965

Film critic Roger Ebert was editor of the Daily Illini and leader of SCOPE., circa 1964

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.

Free Speech area at southeast corner of Illini Union opened.

Vietnam War teach-in held.

Former Acting President Lloyd Morey died.

1966

Underage drinkers sought in raid of Kam’s.

Students held blood drive for soldiers in Vietnam.

Dean of Students Fred Turner resigned, 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.

UI 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.

1967

A flyer for the sit-in against Dow Chemcial company, circa 1967

University celebrated its centennial.

Slush fund scandal led to Big Ten Conference suspension of UI football team.

Black Students 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.

Student groups protested on-campus recruitment by Dow Chemical. Seven students were later expelled for their involvement in the Dow Chemical sit-in.

1968

First published in 1968, the Walrus provided an alternative voice on the campus. It highlighted protests against free-speech restrictions and the war in Vietnam, circa 1967

Walrus begins publication.

Citizens for Racial Justice sponsored anti-war marches.

Project 500 started in effort to boost African-American enrollment.

Students held Vietnam Commencement in honor of those unwilling to cooperate with the draft.

The Coordinated Science Lab dedicated
.
Co-op food store opened.

Some 252 people were arrested for staging a sit-in at the Illini Union in protest of the perceived inadequacies of Project 500.

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.

African-American students protested killings in Chicago of Black Panther leaders.

Faculty organized Union of Professional Employees.

 

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