Student Affairs Frequently Asked Questions

What is Student Affairs?
Building the Community… there are many ways you can support Student Affairs. When you contribute to the Student Affairs Annual Fund, you directly impact student lives by support programs that are vital in developing them as whole people.

What do you want to do while you're at the University? Sure you'll go to class and study but there's so much more to your University experience and that's where we come in…

Your Illinois Experience encompasses your waking and, for many students, sleeping hours that you spend on campus outside the classroom. From the moment you meet with the Dean of Student's Orientation Guides as an incoming student to the day the Illini Guides and Resident Hall Advisors move you in to your first room on campus, you're experiencing what it is to be a part of the campus community.

Student Affairs provides you with the programs and facilities to: workout and participate on intramural sport teams; explore career paths and interview for a internships and jobs; support groups and workshops on health and wellness issues and well as study skills; learn and experience personal growth about minority, LGBT, Greek, new student, and women's social issues; congregate and meet others in at the Assembly Hall and Illini Union; seek assistance from health and wellness facilities; and live and reside in housing.

Through each student's experiences in the campus community, Student Affairs seeks to develop the whole person, and support engagement with areas such as the arts, cultural programs, recreation activities, and internship experiences.

Leadership & Volunteerism Our students are leaders through their involvement with civic, fraternities, sororities, cultural groups, or one of the other 1,100+ student organizations. Internship opportunities also abound. Developing caring and talented student leaders through service initiatives is at the heart of the Illinois educational experience.

Diverse Opportunities Our students need to understand and be confident in dealing with all aspects of diversity in order to be effective leaders and citizens of Illinois, the United states, and the world. We strengthen their ability by challenging them with diverse speakers, arts events, travel opportunities, and other diversity programs.

Health & Wellness In order to promote the development of the mind, body, and spirit, we provide an array of educational programs from stress management, to nutrition and fitness, to making healthy choices while in college through individual and group counseling efforts. We also provide students with the best in sports medicine to support their involvement in team sports, intramural activity, and individual fitness goals.

Why can't I open a pdf file from your page?
PDF files are Adobe Acrobat files that can be opened, viewed and even printed if you have shareware Adobe Reader installed on your computer. To install the latest version of Adobe Reader, go to www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

What are the ways in which I can make a gift?
You may make your gift online or via the mail , if you prefer. You may also elect to use the convenience of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or make an online pledge payment . Refer to the UIF links for more information.

Can my gift be matched by my company?
Many companies will match, double or even triple charitable gifts made by employees or retirees. Be sure to check the UIF matching gifts section to learn whether your company offers this benefit.

Can you explain what is meant by the term 'current gifts'?
Current gifts are often referred to as “outright gifts” and are one of the most common ways that donors begin their giving relationship with the University of Illinois. They provide immediate assistance to the University, while planned or deferred gifts impart benefit at some future date.
Annual giving is a significant element of current gifts and provides much-needed dollars for wide-ranging initiatives such as student scholarships, student travel to professional conferences, funding for graduate student research projects and special lectures and seminars.
Current gifts may be designated for a specific campus, college or purpose or be unrestricted . They may be in the form of cash , gifts of securities , gifts of property or corporate matching gifts . Refer to the UIF links for more information.

Can you explain what is meant by the term 'endowment'?
A simple but powerful idea, endowment is a self-renewing resource, permitting your charitable intent to be fulfilled for generations to come. Your financial gift is preserved for all time by holding it in perpetuity, investing the principal and using only the income from that investment for a purpose specified by you.
One of the many appeals of creating an endowment is that its scope is unlimited because it can be tailored to support a wide range of University priorities . An endowment also permits you to pay tribute to specific individuals or organizations when a named endowed fund is created in their honor.
There are several levels of endowment , with endowed funds established and administered by the Foundation beginning with an investment of as little as $25,000. Refer to the UIF links for more information.

What is the Presidents Council?
The Presidents Council provides a channel for significant financial contributions to the University while honoring those individuals who provide their support to the University of Illinois, its campuses, and its programs. Memberships in the Presidents Council are accorded to those who have made: cumulative outright gifts of at least $25,000; or deferred commitment of $50,000 or more.