Once upon a time those comments by Dean Tate would have been correct. Now they could be considered misinformed rhetoric. Dean Tate is probably one of the group of people that come to one game a year, do their activities at half-time and leave immediately afterward, not caring one bit about the game.
I have been a part of this campus for the past 25 years and have seen the construction of every one of the on-campus housing residence buildings on the East Side. There are times when I stay on campus working late and now when I leave I see a great number of students going to and fro about the campus, especially South Halsted Street (the South Campus and Greek Town) and along Taylor Street (Little Italy). The UIC community is a vibrant one, on a par with those of the University of Chicago (Chicago's Hyde Park), DePaul (Lincoln Park) and Loyola (Rogers Park). With nationally known sports programs, challenging academics and being housed in a World Class City, The University of Illinois at Chicago takes a back seat to no institution!
Chuck Aof IL6:14PM September 11, 2009
I'm reading these comments with some wry disdain. They reveal the ignorance of the large class differences between the suburban students who are having a good time dorming, especially on the South Campus, and city kids, most of whom are poorer and commute to campus. To all potential undergraduates of this university - don't come here if you'll be commuting and want a semblance of a traditional college life. I went to UIUC for a year before returning to UIC and my social/fun experiences were so much better downstate. Of course, cost is always an important factor in choosing colleges and commuting will be cheaper. Just don't rule out the possibility of getting scholarships at different schools. Getting into some debt also won't kill you, although it was a bit too much for me.
Still, there's no doubt that UIC has many fine academic departments and decent sports teams like other people have said. It is a solid state school on par with Loyola/DePaul. Comparing my UIUC classes to UIC, I didn't see any difference in difficulty or amount of material covered. However, UIC's campus is unquestionably drab (especially the library) and there aren't too many nice places to study. (The on campus Oases and building remodeling projects are improving things at a slow pace). UIC's study abroad program is pretty sparse compared to the plethora of scholarships and programs at UIUC. But those are the main two differences that I have seen. Minor differences (for me at least): Greek life and school spirit is much more active downstate (of course, it's not for everyone). The student body at UIUC is a bit more academically talented (I hesitate to use the term 'smarter' because its real meaning is pretty ambiguous), but there were plenty of dumb kids too. I feel that the top 10-20% of both universities are the same.
That's enough comparison between UIC and its sister school. Going back to my orginal thoughts, I think the author's views are fairly accurate as an outside visitor to the school. For born-and-bred city kids like me who commute (and we make up a hefty chunk of the school population - so represent), going to UIC is not a great or particularly novel experience.
(P.S. I feel I should give some more positives about UIC after reading my spiel. Some points: there are more hipsters here, and everyone realizes and respects the racial and religious diversity of their fellow classmates much more than other schools. Also, Chicago technically has more things to do than some college town, but realize that there are still lots of amenities in college towns (e.g. theatres and places to volunteer), and most college life anywhere will revolve around drinking - whether that's at house/dorm parties, frat houses, bars, or clubs in the city. As a typical college student with little cash you might find yourself going out little at all).
Signed,
Edward
UIC Junior and commuter
Edwardof IL9:54PM September 10, 2009
Next time, try interiewing more than 1 dean....and many different students
UIC is a world class university w/ some amazing faculty in the College of Business.
All other institutions are over 100 years old and UIC has made incredible strides since getting founded at their main campus currently....Keep in mind that to run a campus of 25K+ students in a big city is a lot more expensive than running it in middle of nowhere. UIC has made incredible progress despite the financial challanges of being in the city and being overshadowed by its sister school down at UIUC.
UIC plays a big role in city w/ many different contributions that makes an impact on Chicago's economy. Students from UIC work at all of the major companies based in Chicago, including some of the best known financial institutions in the city. And many of them are executives of companies that play a major role in Chicago.
The campus life is improving so much and people actually enjoy their time on campus...You have to keep in mind that UIC is in one of the biggest and best cities in the world...so you have students who live within 5 miles of the campus with their friends and family...this would be considered on campus at any other school like UIUC.
UIC is the largest university with reputable faculty and world class education in one of the biggest and best cities in US and the world....and its only getting better...
Your article would have made sense maybe 20 years ago...but you should consider interviewing deans from some of the bigger colleges that are ranked very well nationally...
I can write a similar article about any other university and make it sound the same if I interviewed the dean from one of the smallest colleges on campus.
UIC rocks
Nickof IL1:44PM August 30, 2009
The best kept secret in America…still
Your article was not an accurate picture of life at UIC. What started out in the late sixties as a commuter campus, is now a “real” campus. If campus life is so pathetic, why is there a waiting list to get into the dorms. I have not seen dorms at any other school in the country as nice as what is offered to students on the south campus.
UIC students live in the best of all worlds. With all of the benefits of a Research I institution, the resources of a world class city like Chicago, and a relatively smaller number of residents, students can draw upon the best there is to offer, and still feel very much a part of a community.
As far as athletics at UIC is concerned, Dean Tate clearly has not paid close attention to all that has been achieved in athletics. Coach Trask’s men’s soccer program has soared to great heights on the national level. Just two years ago, UIC’s Men’s Soccer team advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, making UIC the non BCS school to advance furthest in the NCAA Tournament in ANY sport!
Men’s Baseball has dominated the Horizon League in Coach Dee’s era, Women’s Tennis has been to 13 consecutive NCAA tournaments, and with new championship caliber coaches in women’s volleyball and softball, those sports are sure to produce great results.
If you were to thoroughly research the facts, you would find that UIC is truly a diamond in the rough, in one of the world’s best cities.
Lisa Ryckboschof IL12:27PM August 23, 2009
As a resident of University Village, I find the article's characterization of UIC as a commuter school downright laughable. I guess all those students wandering around my neighborhood aren't really there, right? Does walking to class equal commuting, or does it only count as commuting if its UIC?
As for the dean's comments, I am not going to berate her because I know that reporters take things out of context and tend to zero in on the negative. But I will say this: I doubt she has ever attended a UIC soccer game. Hopefully Coach Trask will convince her to show up to a few, so she can see all those apathetic, disinterested UIC students cheering their team on. I can't overemphasize how much the emergence of the soccer program into a national powerhouse has meant to the school and the surrounding community. What an incredibly positive, unifying force it is. But like many things in life, you have to see it with your own eyes to fully comprehend it.
And while we're on the subject: Soccer is the international language of sport, and the defining characteristic of UIC, the thing that really sets it apart, is the fact that it is the most diverse, most international university in the Midwest, if not the entire country. How any article written about UIC could ignore or miss that is beyond me, but the omission tells me that the author did not make a serious attempt to capture the essence of UIC at all.
University Village Residentof IL11:37AM August 23, 2009
After reading comments like that from the Dean of one of our colleges I would question why anyone would enroll in that area of study. The lack of leadership and negligence of responsibility is disgusting. Her narrow view of our campus should signal her need for retirement. Thankfully her views are shared by a minority on this campus.
Dennis Willsof IL10:44AM August 22, 2009
After reading this article I felt obligated to respond to what I assume are misconceptions about UIC. I've been pleasantly surprised at how much a campus life our student-athletes enjoy at UIC. The "UIC Experience" which Vice Chancellor Dr. Henley has worked so hard comes on the heals of many new and improved attributes to Campus life here at UIC. Whether discussing the new Stuekel Towers or the quality of apartment options for my guys in University Village or Taylor Street there has been a significant change in UIC perceptions with students and parents alike. Many alums are so proud of Halstead Street and South Campus they visit on a regular basis and wish UIC had done some of these improvements before they graduated.
I recently had the opportunity to address the new RA's regarding the soccer program and explained that we all have opportunities to enhance student experience. The folks here in the Athletic Department work very hard to provide students with options to get involved in many facets of campus life and that the RA's have a responsibility to aid in a student's experience and that Athletics and school pride go hand in hand. We, the educators, need to involve people and whether it's catching a Tuesday Night Volleyball game at the Flames Center or a Friday Night Basketball game this all goes into a schools mojo.
UIC is a diverse and excellent place of higher learning and it's dissappointing that other members of the UIC community have a hard time recognizing the changes that are happening in front of their eyes. UIC will always be a place for people to take courses and matriculate into the next phase of their life but I for one am happy it is also a place that students may come from the suburbs, out of state or from another country and wear a UIC T-Shirt with pride and speak about UIC and its Community.
John Trask
Head Men's Soccer Coach
John Traskof IL4:55PM August 21, 2009
I am disgusted by this article, especially that it comes from one of the Universities own Deans. It's people like Dean Tate that give UIC a bad wrap. UIC is a great school, students are getting top notch education from the U of I school system and they also get the opportunity to live in one of the best cities in the country.
As for the dig on athletics, first I would like to ask if Dean Tate has been to a Men’s basketball game in the last two years and if so how many games. The UIC Pavilion might not be the “place to be” on a Tuesday night against in the dead of Winter but it’s a great atmosphere and it’s actually pretty intense when the boys are winning (which does happen quite often at home). The Men’s basketball teams had played nationally ranked teams such as Butler, other state schools such as ISU and Bradley…these games are very well attended by students, fans, staff and alumni from UIC and visiting schools as well.
UIC Athletics is proud to give back to the community by providing schools and under privileged groups the opportunity to attend games throughout the season that they otherwise would not be able to go to. With all there is to do in the city it’s understandable that the Pavilion is not regularly sold out but that doesn’t mean that the games aren’t entertaining and a fun place to be for 2 hours on a weeknight or a Saturday afternoon.
In case Dean Tate or anyone on campus hasn’t noticed….the UIC Men’s Soccer team is ranked in the TOP 10 in the nation in the pre-season poll and last year against Ohio State the boys drew nearly 2,500 fans to a Wednesday night game.
Any university employee (especially a Dean of Students) that is going to bash 18-22 year old student athletes and is actually going to bash their own school have no right to talk about school spirit. UIC Faculty and Staff should always be ambassadors of the school and help increase school spirit….if not find a new school that you actually believe in!!
GO FLAMES!
Christineof IL11:53AM August 21, 2009
You have to understand that UIC is not a school that has been around for 100 years. UIC was established as it is today in the 1980's and everything about the school has been vastly changing and improving since this point. UIC athletics is receiving national recognition in soccer and have consistently shown to be an emerging power in sports like baseball and womens's tennis. Also, you blatantly omit the fact that UIC's hospital on the west campus shares the Illinois Medical District with three major hospitals, comprising largest urban medical district in the country. The medical school at UIC alone is the largest in the country and the nursing program ranks in the top five in nearly every category. With such a strong tie to a medical center and many other outstanding facilities in biological sciences and engineering, research at UIC has been categorized at a Research 1 institution and in my experience, many UIC students take advantage of these facilities through internships and research positions.
Aside from these obvious missed points in your article, you glared over some of the most salient features of college life here. To full time students, UIC provides an unlimited use CTA pass to encourage students to engage in the amazing city of Chicago- essentially extending the campus to include places like the parks on the lake, restaurants downtown, and the nearby White Sox games. Campus housing does offer exciting promotions geared at underclassmen to explore the city and connect with each other - a radical shift away from the "commuter campus" that UIC was known for in the latter 20th century. Just off campus are thriving neighborhoods like Little Italy and University Village where real estate is thriving and the location is walkable to dozens of great restaurants as well as to the UIC campus.
My final point is to contend with what you say about the faculty and the distancing you claim occurs in UIC academics. It is sad that your definitive statement is based on two anecdotal cases while ignoring the far more prevalent situations. Professors, TA's, tutors, staff from the various academic support centers such as the writing center were outstanding at assisting me as a student. Granted, a student must be proactive in seeking this out, but that will be how student services are at any school. In your article you say that one student couldn't "muster up the courage" to speak to her instructor- well I will be the first to tell you that should she walk up to any UIC professor, she would have not only learned a valuable lesson about real-world initiative but the professor would be truly excited to have interested and engaged students come in for help.
Peterof IL11:48AM August 21, 2009
Like most of the other posts above, I'll have to agree that this article was, at best, poorly researched; and that it is not an accurate depiction of life at UIC.
UIC was my first choice school when I entered in the mid-nineties, and, today, I am an active alumni, so I have the opportunity to see what's happening on campus. I will address some of the article's misconceptions here.
-UIC is less a commuter school than an accessable school. Campus housing is utilized by a larger percentage of undergraduates than schools like Temple University, and other "residential" universities. Add to this that students living near campus in apartments are "commuters." When you include these students the on-campus numbers change drastically.
-UIC is one of the most administratively friendly schools around. As an undergrad I was always able to contact professors and administrative staff. I have 5 siblings and my experience with UIC's "beauracracy" was better than any they had at their schools.
-UIC Athletics is thriving. Yes, our basketball attendence is comparatively low, but UIC students are more sophisticated than that. Our Men's Gymnastics program hosts the Windy City Invitational each year to standing room only crowds. Our Soccer team set a new attendence record last year, and their current #4 ranking shouldn't hurt that, either.
-All this and UIC is the new kid on the block. The universities that UIC is compared with are generally 100-150 years older. From 1945-'65 (when we were first conceived), UIC was the place you went to so you could go to UIUC. From '65-'85 it's where you went because you couldn't go to UIUC. Today UIC is the place you get to attend so you don't have to go to Champaign, or some other generic school.
I'm proud of my alma mater and I'm proud of my degree. Unfortunately your article couldn't relay the fact that there are a lot of people like me. Oh, and one last thing, I live near UIC's campus today. I liked the atmosphere that much.
Reader Comments
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Chuck A of IL 6:14PM September 11, 2009
Edward of IL 9:54PM September 10, 2009
Nick of IL 1:44PM August 30, 2009
Lisa Ryckbosch of IL 12:27PM August 23, 2009
University Village Resident of IL 11:37AM August 23, 2009
Dennis Wills of IL 10:44AM August 22, 2009
John Trask of IL 4:55PM August 21, 2009
Christine of IL 11:53AM August 21, 2009
Peter of IL 11:48AM August 21, 2009
Charles Nelson of IL 11:37AM August 21, 2009