Altgeld Hall celebrated an anniversary this year, the 96th anniversary of the bells being installed in the Altgeld Chime Tower on Oct. 30. In the future, the historic building will receive renovations, yet no official date starting date is set.

Douglas G. Simpson, professor and chair of the Department of Statistics, said in an email that Altgeld Hall has served many purposes for students and faculty over the past century. The tower is known for its bells that ring daily and serve as a soundtrack for students walking to class.

“Altgeld was built at the end of the 19th century and was originally the University Library,” Simpson said. “Later, starting in the 1920s, it housed the College of Law, and finally in the 1950s it became the home of the Department of Mathematics. It also houses the Mathematics Library, which retains much of its original charm as an ornate law library.”

Over the years, new adjustments were made to add more space to the building.

 “These additions enlarged the building but also created some quirky level changes within floors as one moves around the building,” Simpson said. 

Renovations are necessary because the amount of space needed to accommodate students is decreasing, leaving no room for teachers and faculty.

Mathematics Professor Sheldon Katz said these renovations will have a significant impact on the University. Eighty-five percent of graduating Illinois students have taken a math or statistics class during their time here and enrollment is steadily increasing, Katz said.

“Enrollment in mathematics and statistics courses has increased by 40 percent in the last 10 years, with 80 percent of the enrollment coming from other majors.” Katz said. “The renovation will be coordinated with a renovation and expansion of Illini Hall.”

More than 18,000 students take classes in both Altgeld and Illini Hall each year. Janice Huang, sophomore in computer science, has taken a class in Altgeld and said that although she likes the building, it needs renovations.  

“I think Altgeld Hall is more of an old-style than the rest of the buildings on campus,” she said. “It’s different, it’s definitely a lot more distinct than most of the buildings. I think it would be good to be more refurbished, especially parts of it like the library on the inside.”

Many agree that there is limited space in the building, which may make things uncomfortable.

“Unfortunately, the current spaces in Altgeld and Illini Halls are in poor condition and overcrowded with faculty and TA offices,” Simpson said. “It is a scramble each year to figure out how to fit everyone in who needs to be here to teach and do cutting edge research.”

A lot of changes will be made in response to these concerns, including the addition of 22,000 square feet of modernized classroom space.

The renovations will also promote sustainability, as they target LEED Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. The project also focuses on full restoration, and will restore mosaics, murals, and woodwork in the Altgeld Hall library, as well as its sandstone exterior to its original condition. 

These renovations may serve students and faculty with collaborative spaces essential for learning and discovery in the 21st century, Katz said. 

Altgeld Hall has been standing for decades, but it’s value will never be lost, even as it is undergoing construction at the University.

Simpson said that Altgeld is important, especially for students and faculty in math.

“Altgeld is a campus icon. Virtually every graduating student takes their picture in front of the Alma Mater with Altgeld Hall in the background,” he said. “An amazingly high percentage of U of I’s student population takes courses in Mathematics or Statistics every year and we rely heavily on Altgeld to teach them.”

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A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that renovations to Altgeld Hall are beginning. Also, a previous version said the bell tower was built in 1920. It was built at the same time as the rest of the building. And renovations over the years were to add space, not for ornamental purposes.