The Daily Illini Editorial Board’s University report card highlights what we perceive as some of the most significant and important issues on campus to date.  

An A-grade means that we think the given initiative or topic was largely successful and an important contribution to the University. On the other hand, an F-grade signals that the given initiative or topic was unsuccessful or was detrimental to the University. Alright, University of Illinois — class is in session!

A- Disability services 

The University of Illinois is well known as one of the top “disability friendly” campuses in the country. Beckwith Residential Support Services, now part of Nugent Hall, assists students with disabilities in performing activities of daily living, helps them develop a management plan to address their disability-related needs and provides numerous educational and empowerment opportunities. 

Disability Resources and Educational Services, one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind, is the University’s main hub that provides accommodations for students with disabilities. 

And in 2012, Gov. Pat Quinn announced the successful funding of the Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education, which aims to assist University students who were injured during service. And what better way to honor the vast resources our University provides for students with disabilities than through the successes of our very own University of Illinois paralympians Aaron Pike, Travis Dodson, Tatyana McFadden and alumna Mina Mojtahedi at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games?

A- University president Robert Easter

President Robert Easter has been a welcome change to the University administration. Easter took over as president after the resignation of former University president Michael Hogan amidst a scandal involving his chief of staff. Before Hogan, there was B. Joseph White, who also resigned following the clout scandal. 

Easter, who has been at the University for his entire career, hasn’t been engulfed in scandals and seems as if he truly cares about improving the University, not harming its reputation. Under Easter, the University has seen its smallest tuition increase in a decade and a staff of top administrators who seemingly get along — advantages that the two presidents who preceded Easter couldn’t achieve.

B- Illini basketball

For a young team in a powerhouse conference, Illini men’s basketball didn’t do half bad in the 2013-14 season. We enjoyed a season-opening, seven-game win streak, not losing a game until December. 3 at Georgia Tech. Despite a mid-season losing stretch, the Illini closed out the regular season in a strong 4-1 fashion, including two wins over ranked teams. And, were it not for that last minute lay-in by Michigan’s Jordan Morgan during the Big Ten Tournament, we might even have made the NCAA tournament. 

Furthermore, the Illini’s prospects only look to get better going into next year given John Groce’s work at the recruiting end. Despite a disappointing “Cliffmas,” Groce has already proven successful at getting Illinois tapped back into the rich, Chicago-area talent pool with the likes of Nunn and Tate already on the team, and D.J. Williams committed for 2015. We look forward to what next season will bring.

B- LGBT-related services 

It’s been quite the year for LGBT rights — both inside and outside of the University. The brand new Bousfield Hall, completed in fall 2013, was the first of its kind on campus to offer co-ed suites, or gender-neutral housing, to students. Fast-forward to November and Illinois becomes the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage in the country; in February, Champaign County becomes the second county in the state to begin offering same-sex marriage licenses ahead of the June 1 date. 

 As the State began paving the way for the University to implement LGBT-related inclusivity initiatives, the Board of Trustees earlier this month approved the addition of gender confirmation surgery to the student health insurance plan. While the University has been excellent at diversifying the student body, it has yet to truly integrate these various student demographics together, but passing GCS is a huge step forward.

C- Scandals

This year has been a quiet one — in terms of scandals, at least. With the ousting of former President B. Joseph White over the Category I admissions scandal and the resignation of former President Michael Hogan over controversial admissions changes behind us, we’re very appreciate of the calm and collective tenure of current President Robert Easter. 

D- Smoke-free campus

Since becoming a smoke-free campus at the beginning of the year, the University has failed to create a clear plan to deal with the smoking ban. The University says “no smoking,” but there is no real form of enforcement for those who decide to break the rule. Even if there ends up being a form of punishment, doesn’t law enforcement have better things to do than give a slap on the wrist to those smoking on campus?

Additionally, the University has cessation centers aimed to help those who are smoking to quit. However, those programs need to be amplified if the University truly wants to reduce smoking and not just push current smokers into arbitrary off-campus areas.

D- In-state and out-of-state students

Increasing diversity is the name of the game in University recruitment efforts. The number of international students here has risen over the last decade, but integration between them and U.S. students is stagnant.  

On paper, there’s a lot of diversity on campus: Students hail in great numbers here from countries all over the globe. But once students arrive, domestic and international students don’t mix, and, without more consideration for this on behalf of the University, U.S. students are not likely to benefit directly from an international presence.

D- Professor evaluations

“Why aren’t the results of the ICES forms published?” You’ve probably asked that question in some form or another while at school here, and we have, too. Of course, some of them are published on the Illinois Student Senate website, but what’s there is nowhere near an exhaustive list. At the same time, professors will bemoan the use of RateMyProfessors.com. 

We know it’s not fun to have your job scrutinized through ICES forms or other websites. But when we’re spending roughly $400 per credit hour as a full-time students, we want to make sure the classes we take will be worth it. So, either create a more public internal system at the University through ICES forms, or we’ll keep on finding other means by which to assess professors.

F- Bike infrastructure 

Given the emphasis this campus places on sustainability, and that both Champaign and Urbana have been named bicycle friendly communities by the League of American Bicyclists, it is astounding how little this University continues to care for or invests in its bike infrastructure. 

At best, biking considerations appear to be a haphazard undertaking with greater interests in style (such as occasionally re-painting bike paths) over substance (such as putting thought into infrastructure placement and repairs.) Paths stop at abrupt dead ends (see in front of the ARC.) Paths run through bus stop waiting areas (see the Armory and Wright stop.) Paths are filled with potholes and are crumbling (see the path that runs North-South past the Armory.) Paths are completely blocked off by construction areas (see the path by the White and Wright intersection). Paths are discontinuous and not adequately extensive (no North-South path on any of the quads.) 

There is almost no enforcement or barriers keeping pedestrians off bike paths. There’s also never a place to park given the sporadic bike rack placement around campus. And where was the most logical place for Facilities and Services to dump this past winter’s snow? Of course, the bike paths. We rest our case.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this editorial incorrectly stated that Illinois basketball competed in the 2014-15 season. The editorial should have stated that Illinois basketball competed in the 2013-14 season. The Daily Illini regrets the error.