As the March 5 and 6 elections draw near, I want to encourage you to participate in the process and know that, as always, the campus administration welcomes your opinions.

Among the issues on the ballot is an advisory referendum designed to gauge support for Chief Illiniwek. As you are likely aware, the board of trustees made the decision to retire Chief Illiniwek in 2007, and the NCAA ruled that continued use of the Chief would expressly prohibit the University’s participation in post-season athletics. Those decisions remain unchanged.

While many have memories of the Chief and numerous other past campus traditions, it is important to understand the distinction between recognizing our history and embracing our future. I feel we must continue to move forward together as a family. The challenges we face as a university are enormous: Other universities envy what we have accomplished and are competing with us with increasing vigor. When we are distracted, divided, or lose focus on our ambitious future, we create additional challenges in our constant endeavor to continue to be one of the finest public research universities on the globe. 

For 150 years the University has been a changing, growing and dynamic institution that looks forward and embraces the potential to become even better. I am hopeful that we can continue to move forward together with determination, optimism and a resolved focus on the opportunities and challenges ahead of us.

Phyllis Wise, 

University chancellor and vice-president