{"id":648,"date":"2014-08-29T18:17:17","date_gmt":"2014-08-29T18:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/archives.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/?page_id=648"},"modified":"2026-02-27T20:31:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T20:31:43","slug":"1990-1999","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/research-education\/timeline\/1990-1999\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Life at Illinois: 1990-1999"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_750\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-750\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/0001046.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-750 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/0001046-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial of Memorial Stadium Restoration, circa 1993\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/0001046-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/0001046.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-750\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aerial of Memorial Stadium Restoration, circa 1993.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>1990-1999<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>1990<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Illinois defeated Virginia in the Citrus Bowl, 31-21, ending a 26-year bowl victory drought.<\/li>\n<li>Students for the Chief formed.<\/li>\n<li>Trustees voted 7-1 to retain Chief Illiniwek as the symbol of the University of Illinois.<\/li>\n<li>Students filed 19 complaints of harassment after police attempted to break up a rally of mostly African-American students.<\/li>\n<li>Catalyst, an international student environmental conference, held on campus, attracted more than 7,000.<\/li>\n<li>Committee against the War in the Gulf organized.<\/li>\n<li>African-American students stood up in classrooms to protest University in wake of recent racial incidents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>1991<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Illinois played in the Hall of Fame Bowl, lost to Clemson 30-0.<\/li>\n<li>Students and residents marched from downtown Champaign to the Quad in opposition to Gulf War.<\/li>\n<li>U-C Senate approved resolution stating University military-science classes open to all regardless of sexual orientation.<\/li>\n<li>The NCAA sanctioned the men\u2019s basketball team for recruiting violations.<\/li>\n<li>University announced that Chief Illiniwek would no longer appear in Homecoming parades or pep rallies.<\/li>\n<li>Fire on fourth floor of the Natural History Building caused over $2 million in damages.<\/li>\n<li>Farmhouse fraternity banned the possession and consumption of alcohol on its property.<\/li>\n<li>An $18 million renovation of Memorial Stadium began.<\/li>\n<li>Student Government Association voted to end all support of Chief Illiniwek.<\/li>\n<li>A $1 billion fund-raising drive called Campaign Illinois began.<\/li>\n<li>Plant and Animal Biotechnology Laboratory dedicated. Building re-dedicated as Madigan Laboratory in 1995.<\/li>\n<li>Illinois played in John Hancock Bowl, lost to UCLA 6-3.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>1992<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Latino students and their supporters occupied the Office of Minority Student Affairs and Administration Building. The students called for a new director of La Casa Cultural Latina and greater funding and autonomy for the cultural center.<\/li>\n<li>National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media formed.<\/li>\n<li>University vaccinated 18,000 students in the Armory for meningitis.<\/li>\n<li>Computer and Systems Research Laboratory dedicated.<\/li>\n<li>Illinois played in Holiday Bowl, lost to Hawaii 27-17.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>1993<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The Asian American Alumni Association was founded.<\/li>\n<li>The men\u2019s swimming and fencing programs were eliminated.<\/li>\n<li>Undergrad Library underwent renovation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1175\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1175\" style=\"width: 205px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/grand_opening_021.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1175 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/grand_opening_021-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"Illini Union Bookstore, circa 1994\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/grand_opening_021-205x300.jpg 205w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/grand_opening_021.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 205px) 100vw, 205px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1175\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illini Union Bookstore, circa 1994<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>1994<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>January 18th saw temperatures of 20 degrees below zero, with wind chills estimated at 62 below. McKinley Health Center treated 13 students for frostbite in a two-day period.<\/li>\n<li>University President Stanley Ikenberry announced his retirement.<\/li>\n<li>Krannert Center vandalized.<\/li>\n<li>Courtyard Caf\u00e9 opened in Illini Union.<\/li>\n<li>A plane crashed after leaving Willard Airport, killing two alumni.<\/li>\n<li>Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) issued bill of rights.<\/li>\n<li>The Grainger Engineering Library and the new Illini Union Bookstore opened.<\/li>\n<li>Illinois defeated East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl 30-0.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>1995<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>James J. Stukel became the 15th president of the University.<\/li>\n<li>Uof I Direct, a new online registration system, took effect, eliminating the on-campus registration at the Armory.<\/li>\n<li>Temple Hoyne Buell Hall dedicated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1187\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1187\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/img051.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1187 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/img051-300x196.jpg\" alt=\"Block I committee, 1995\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/img051-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/img051.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1187\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Block I committee, 1995<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>1996<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Trustees appointed by the governor instead of elected by a statewide vote.<\/li>\n<li>Sangamon State University became the University of Illinois at Springfield.<\/li>\n<li>Illinois Student Government (ISG) succeeded the Student Government Association (SGA).<\/li>\n<li>Chemistry and Life Sciences Building opened.<\/li>\n<li>Green Street repaved from Wright to Neil streets.<\/li>\n<li>Men\u2019s basketball coach Lou Henson retired, replaced by Lon Kruger.<\/li>\n<li>Grade point rule changed from five to four points. Grade of \u2018E\u2019 became an \u2018F.\u2019<\/li>\n<li>New Office of Admissions and Records Building dedicated.<\/li>\n<li>Campus Recreation Outdoor Center and Multiplex Fields opened.<\/li>\n<li>Racial incidents led to proclamation of \u201cMonth of Mourning.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>GEO members rallied on the Quad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>1997<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Freshman killed in shooting incident.<\/li>\n<li>Asian-American studies program created.<\/li>\n<li>Women\u2019s basketball team reached the Sweet Sixteen.<\/li>\n<li>Governor Jim Edgar vetoed a bill that would have given student trustees a binding vote.<\/li>\n<li>Jay Rosenstein\u2019s<em> In Whose Honor?<\/em>, a documentary critical of Chief Illiniwek, aired.<\/li>\n<li>Alumni Against Racist Mascots formed.<\/li>\n<li>Illini Homecoming king and queen made statements critical of Chief Illiniwek. The following year, the University ended its practice of crowning a Homecoming king and queen.<\/li>\n<li><em>Daily Illini<\/em> became a free newspaper.<\/li>\n<li>Muslim students held a public demonstration during Islamic Awareness Week.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>1998<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore spoke at Assembly Hall.<\/li>\n<li>Faculty-Student Senate approved resolution asking Board of Trustees to replace Chief Illiniwek with a new symbol in a 97-29 vote.<\/li>\n<li>Students for Chief Illiniwek and Chief Illiniwek Educational Foundation formed.<\/li>\n<li>University professor Stephen Kaufman filed grievances against University administrators, arguing Chief Illiniwek violates the University&#8217;s anti-discrimination policies.<\/li>\n<li>Women\u2019s basketball team reached the Sweet Sixteen for second year in a row. Media named Theresa Grentz Big Ten Coach of Year for the second year in a row.<\/li>\n<li>Men\u2019s basketball team shared Big Ten title.<\/li>\n<li>Bill giving student trustees a binding vote passed into law.<\/li>\n<li>Week-long symposium held to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King\u2019s civil rights efforts.<\/li>\n<li>New student athletic fee went into effect.<\/li>\n<li>Graduate student died following an incident at a Champaign bar.<\/li>\n<li>William and Claris Spurlock donated $8.5 million for new World Heritage Museum.<\/li>\n<li>Illini baseball team won Big Ten championship.<\/li>\n<li>Japan House opened.<\/li>\n<li>Hallene Gateway Plaza dedicated.<\/li>\n<li>Richard T. Ubben Basketball Complex opened.<\/li>\n<li>Senior died of gunshot wounds during Homecoming weekend.<\/li>\n<li>Women&#8217;s basketball team began to play at Assembly Hall, moving from Huff Gym.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_753\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-753\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/0006864.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-753 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/0006864-300x188.jpg\" alt=\"WPGU Staff, Shamrock Stagger, 1995\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/0006864-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2014\/08\/0006864.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-753\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">WPGU Staff, Shamrock Stagger, 1995<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>1999<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Student shot at White Horse Inn.<\/li>\n<li>Two campus bars sponsored Pre-St. Patrick&#8217;s Day Party, the precursor to Unofficial St. Patrick&#8217;s Day.<\/li>\n<li>First Roger Ebert\u2019s Overlooked Film Festival held.<\/li>\n<li>Two students hospitalized after ingesting drug known as Liquid G.<\/li>\n<li>Football team came from behind to defeat Michigan at Ann Arbor.<\/li>\n<li>Illinois defeated Virginia in Micron PC.Com Bowl, 63-21.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/research-education\/timeline\/1980-1989\/\"><strong>Return to 1980-1989<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/research-education\/timeline\/2000-2009\/\"><strong>Continue to 2000-2009<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1990-1999 1990 Illinois defeated Virginia in the Citrus Bowl, 31-21, ending a 26-year bowl victory drought. Students for the Chief formed. Trustees voted 7-1 to retain Chief Illiniwek as the symbol of the University of Illinois. Students filed 19 complaints of harassment after police attempted to break up a rally of mostly African-American students. Catalyst, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":453,"featured_media":0,"parent":339,"menu_order":11,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-648","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/453"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=648"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13200,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648\/revisions\/13200"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/slc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}