Bill Text: IL SR0217 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Declares April 9, 2019 as Southern Illinois University Day.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-08 - Resolution Adopted [SR0217 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SR0217-Introduced.html

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SR0217 LRB101 11612 ALS 57676 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, In 1868, educators in southern Illinois held
meetings throughout the area to discuss the need for a teacher
training school in the lower half of Illinois; the General
Assembly passed the charter establishing Southern Illinois
Normal University on March 9, 1869, and the charter was signed
by Governor John Palmer on April 9, 1869; and
WHEREAS, The University opened in 1874, and the first class
had 54 students; the first graduating class consisted of 143
students, including two African-American students; and
WHEREAS, Southern Illinois Normal University's enrollment
grew, and by the late 1930s, the administration and alumni
began petitioning the Governor and the General Assembly to
expand the university's offerings to include liberal arts
degrees in anticipation of increased enrollment following the
conclusion of World War II; and
WHEREAS, On June 30, 1943, the General Assembly granted
Southern Illinois Normal University the ability to grant
liberal arts degrees and master's degrees in education; in
1947, the 65th General Assembly dropped "Normal" from the
university's name, and it became known as Southern Illinois
University; and

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WHEREAS, Over the next few decades, enrollment and academic
programs grew substantially, and university officials took
notice of the lack of opportunities for higher education in the
Metro East area; in 1957, the university purchased the defunct
Shurtleff College and began enrolling and educating students;
in 1960, land was purchased, and classes began at the Southern
Illinois University at Edwardsville campus in 1965; and
WHEREAS, The University continued to expand and
established the Southern Illinois University School of
Medicine in Springfield in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Today, Southern Illinois University is a strong,
diverse, student-centered, research-intensive, comprehensive
university that embraces a unique tradition of inclusive
excellence, innovation, and outstanding teaching to transform
the lives of students; and
WHEREAS, This year, Southern Illinois University
celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary; and
WHEREAS, Southern Illinois University's 150th anniversary
celebration included a Day of Giving on March 6, 2019;
throughout the year, the University will celebrate with special
exhibits, lecture series, and campus and community events;

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therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 9,
2019 as Southern Illinois University Day in honor of its 150
years of service to southern Illinois and beyond; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That we admire their commitment to excellence in
teaching and research and to providing a transformative
educational experience for all students and wish them 150 more
years of excellence; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the SIU System Board of Trustees, Interim
President J. Kevin Dorsey, and Interim Chancellor John Dunn as
an expression of our esteem and respect.