ILLINI UNION
ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2016-2017 The 2016-2017 Illini Union Annual Report provides insight into the activities and progress over the past academic year towards the four overarching goals identified in the organization’s 2015-2017 Strategic Plan. Our mission, vision, values, and goals have provided crucial direction to drive the organization’s work and focus its priorities. The Illini Union’s overall goal is to serve as the campus community center and to complement the academic mission of the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. This is achieved by building an inclusive community and providing engaging programs, outstanding services, and state-of-the-art facilities. The Illini Union’s commitment to its mission, vision, and values is the cornerstone of our tradition of excellence.
“It is an exciting time as the Illini Union charts its future as a leader in community building and in the college student union field.”
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With nearly 2.5 million visitors annually, the Illini Union continues to thrive as a reflection of the vibrant and diverse student body of Illinois, and serves as the iconic student center of campus. We are working to guarantee that the Illini Union will remain a campus landmark well into the future. This past year, the Illini Union engaged with students and other campus and community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan that lays the foundation for a well-maintained, state-of-the-art facility offering inviting, comfortable, flexible spaces with cutting-edge programs for the next 50 years. As this work progresses, we continue to be innovative through the implementation of new programs and services that meet the campus community’s evolving wants and needs. The Illini Union provides growth and development opportunities through each of its programs and services. Collectively, Illini Union units and staff, including our Illini Union Board, Office of Volunteer Programs, Rec Room, Courtyard Café, and Illini Union Welcome Week efforts hosted 536 events which attracted 81,534 participants during 2016-2017. Our Registered Organizations staff worked with 1,121 Registered Student Organizations and processed nearly 22,267
space requests last year. The Parent and Family Programs Office (PFPO) connected with more than 27,000 families of Illinois students, sharing information about the resources and services available to them as members of the Illinois family. The Office of Volunteer Programs (OVP) collected 4,105 pounds of food, 450 toys, and distributed 220 Thanksgiving Baskets to those in need in our community. Our retail student employees served over one million customers across multiple operations. All of these co-curricular experiences help our students grow during their college years and prepare them for the future. The Illini Union welcomed new members to our operations team with the opening of Starbucks on Oregon Street in Urbana. New partnerships this past year also included Auntie Anne’s on the first floor of the Union, Einstein Bros. Bagels at Willard Airport, the grand re-opening of the Espresso Royale Café at the Undergraduate Library, and new Amazon@Illinois pickup/ship location in the Illini Union Bookstore. The Illini Union implemented all of these new services based on data collected from the annual assessment of our students, faculty, and staff. In conclusion, our success is only possible with the passion and commitment of the Illini Union staff and students. Their dedication and efforts, along with the contributions from Illini Union partners and volunteers, defines our culture of excellence. It is an exciting time as the Illini Union charts its future as a leader in community building and in the college student union field. Sincerely,
Jamie Singson Director
MISSION The Illini Union enriches our students’ academic experience by building an inclusive community and providing growth and development opportunities through engaging programs, outstanding services, purposeful employment, and state-of-the-art facilities.
VISION The Illini Union will be the premiere college union.
Artist Post Malone performs to the crowd at Spring Jam 2017
CORE VALUES Our values serve as a compass and describe how we behave every day. • Community: We value community and continually work to strengthen our ties to the university and the surrounding community through active citizenship, service, traditions, teamwork, and collaboration. • Student Centeredness and Learning: We value students and their voice as they are central to our mission. Our work is guided by a commitment to their holistic development and learning. • Leadership: We value the opportunity to lead from every level of the organization and create innovative programs and services. We recognize that each employee has the ability to inspire and motivate others and serve as a catalyst for change. We are
accountable and take responsibility for our decisions and actions. • Excellence: We value pursuing and exceeding high expectations and developing distinctive and quality programs and services through origination and continuous improvement. • Diversity and Inclusion: We value the uniqueness of people and individual perspectives. We embrace and celebrate one another’s differences, talents, and abilities. We cultivate an inclusive environment by considering all dimensions of diversity, and we help prepare our campus community for life in a multicultural society.
• Integrity: We value being honest and ethical and exemplifying behavior that can be modeled by all. We maintain open and transparent decision-making at all levels of our organization. • Traditions: We value our position as the center of campus life—physically, socially, and culturally. We recognize that every member of our Illinois family has a Union story to tell. Through these stories, we help preserve the rich traditions and legacy that current and former Illini have created. • Collaboration: We value cooperating and partnering with others and strengthening our efforts to serve the university and our surrounding community.
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS The Illini Union had many achievements and milestones that stood out during the 2016-2017 academic year. We take pride in everything we do, as these successes illustrate. FOSTER COLLABORATION, DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION • In celebration of the Illini Union’s 75th anniversary, the marketing department created the 75th Anniversary website, timeline banners, and a year-long branding graphic that appeared across all departmental marketing materials, including the Illini Union Board. Additionally, a committee of staff organized the Illini Union 75th anniversary celebration event that took place in February 2017 and curated a 75th anniversary art gallery installation. • The Illini Union Board (IUB) received funding from the Illini Union to hold an all campus comedy show in honor of Homecoming in October 2016. Comedian Jay Pharaoh performed on the Quad to a crowd of 3,500—the same night the Chicago Cubs played in the World Series. • IUB again worked with the Illini Union, State Farm Center, and Star Course to host Spring Jam 2017 on the Quad. The April 23rd outdoor concert featured national recording artist, Post Malone, and popular campus act, DJ Matrix, attracting over 6,500 students. • The PFPO worked with the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) to develop more collaborative programming, including a fall family welcome, adding the PFPO link to their website, and meeting every month with the ODOS to stay abreast of any issues or concerns that families experience. • The PFPO created a stronger relationship with the Tenant Union to better serve parents and families, and provide more resources and education about off-campus housing options.
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• The information technology staff was involved with a collaborative effort to form an IT shared service for Student Affairs/Auxiliaries, comprised of Housing, Campus Recreation, McKinley Health Center, Parking, and the Illini Union. The inaugural year will establish baselines and foster increased sharing of resources. The goal is to ensure that all departments continue to experience improved customer service and access to a robust pool of resources and expertise. • Tech Zone created college-specific computer recommendations for every campus major as a result of extensive research on academic websites, conversations with academic departments, a collaboration with Technology Services, and information from student employees and customers. This was the first time this service was made available to students and families.
3.37 average GPA
OF A STUDENT IN AN RSO LEADERSHIP POSITION (NASPA Campus Activities and Student Involvement survey)
Students write best wishes for the Illini Union’s 75th anniversary
PROVIDE TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES • IUB implemented card swipe technology at all events this past year. This allows IUB to receive demographic reports on attendees and to gain better insight into their student population. The transition presented a few challenges in some areas, but overall, the process has been set in place and will improve in the future. • The Illini Union successfully supported the campus community throughout the past year in providing a safe space for protest, debate, and discussion such as Board of Trustees meetings, Illinois Student Government meetings, demonstrations on the Anniversary Plaza, and other meetings. • The Illini Union Bookstore hosted or coordinated more than 30 events. Highlights include the Illini Union’s annual One Book One Campus program, with the book, “If You Feel Too Much,” including a reading by the author James Tworkowski; the English and Creative Writing departments’ Carr Series; and the Bookstore-driven Sesquicentennial book series. In all, the Bookstore collaborated with 20 different organizations to bring events to campus. • Human resources and administrative shared services provided supervisor management training “Cultural Competency Diversity” sessions to mid/senior-level managers and directors. • The Illini Union facilities department created new transformative co-curricular learning opportunities for architectural and engineering students. Through this program, students designed and assisted in providing 3D renderings of conceptual interiors for the Illini Union Hotel, and supported technical review of mechanical systems for preventative maintenance, helping management evaluate ideas more effectively and rapidly. • Illini Union food and beverage operations provided employment opportunities for approximately 200 students through the licensed Starbucks retail stores (150 total employed at any given time, roughly 20 students who serve in supervisory roles). • The Quad Shop formed a retail relationship with University Housing Dining Services to provide customers with Good-to-Go food options, such as fresh salads, sandwiches, sushi, and kosher products. A view of the Illini Union from Anniversary Plaza
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MAKE A SIGNIFICANT AND VISIBLE SOCIETAL AND COMMUNITY IMPACT • Directly due to efforts of OVP, over 8,911 hours of service were donated during the academic year by Illinois students.
the programs as participants got to know each other and be part of service projects in the respective cities. In total, 189 students participated.
• The Quad Shop worked with the Sustainable Student Farm to provide cash handling support for the Farmer’s Market on the Quad every Thursday.
• OVP expanded its Service Weekend Trips that allowed groups of students to engage together in service in nearby cities. OVP organized various overnight trips and also collaborated with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to host four, one-day iENGAGE trips (deliberately designed for international students). Student group leaders helped staff members facilitate
• The Illini Union worked with Dewberry/Workshop architects and provided engineering support for the visioning process and feasibility study for future expansion of the main building.
• Students now have options to lower their cost of education by reducing shipping costs and have a safe way to get millions of items the same day after the October 2016 opening of the Amazon@Illinois pick up location inside the Illini Union Bookstore. It is one of only 18 Amazon pick-up stores on campuses, and one of three inside a collegiate bookstore.
• The Quad Shop expanded the selection of healthy food items to better serve customers with food allergies and sensitivities.
STEWARD CURRENT RESOURCES AND GENERATE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR STRATEGIC INVESTMENT
189
STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN OVP WEEKEND SERVICE TRIPS
Students volunteer with OVP during a Weekend Service Trip to St. Louis
• Illini Union food and beverage operations successfully opened a third Starbucks retail store at 1103 W. Oregon Street in Urbana, the first self-operated concept in a non-university building. • The Illini Union Hotel implemented a streamlined online room reservation procedure for special events and home football games, making the booking process more equitable. • Document Services completed a bid for new digital printers for the main copy center. These will help the department provide high quality, reliable printing services to the campus community. • Campus Vending successfully implemented Illini Cash in all Illini Union retail operations and thirdparty vendors within the Illini Union, as well as all restaurant partner satellites, in Fall 2016. • Campus Vending provided a series of very successful vendor outreach programs, including, but not limited to Taste of the Union, end-of-the year Student Picnic/Happy Hour, as well as various tastings and participation in other department-sponsored events.
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• The Illini Union marketing department implemented a new project management system, Robohead, enabling the department to work more efficiently, save time, and end paper copies of proofs. • The facilities team oversaw the completion of the Illini Union’s $1.2 million south building electrical renovation, which replaced obsolete 1960’s vintage gear and ensured reliable power to our primary operations for decades to come. • Facilities is also in the process of completing two sustainability capital projects that will significantly reduce our campus carbon footprint in terms of energy consumption. The Direct Digital Control (DDC) Hood project and the retro-commissioning (RCx) project will offer a combined energy savings estimate of 27 percent. • The Illini Union business office completed the conversion of all cash change funds over to universitycontrolled funds. • The Illini Union Bookstore worked with marketing to establish a firstever marketing program specifically for the bookstore’s e-commerce site.
Registered Organizations
Registered Organizations and students on Quad Day 2017
AT A GLANCE
324 107 32 107 97 29 17 33 48 123 14 56 2 22 3 93 15
1,121
SORF Board ALLOCATION DECISIONS ITEMS
DOLLARS
48
22,267
$166,757.74
44
$43,724.05 91
APPROVED REGISTERED ORGANIZATION EVENTS ON UNIVERSITY PREMISES & FACILITIES
$192,962.02
79
$75,752.59
2
$1,178.85
2
$826.70
10
$5,307.40
7
$830.20 52
REGISTERED ORGANIZATIONS IN 2016-2017
$64,082.06
43
$18,380.28 274
$759,041.60
250
$200,914.93
1
$1,977.75
REQUESTED
1
$1,246.29
FUNDED
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2016-2017
ILLINI UNION
BY THE NUM 2,274,506
204,041
12,867
7,956
12,318
27, 991
148
33,150
Number of visitors through the doors of the Illini Union
Number of rooms rented at the Illini Union Hotel
Hours of billiards played in the Illini Union Rec Room
Programming events coordinated by the Illini Union Board
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Illini Union Bookstore customers through registers
Illini Union Event Services room reservations
Illinois families connected through Illini Union Parent and Family Programs
Student attendance at Illini Union Board events
7,222
Number of guests served at the Illini Union Hotel
58,378
Games of bowling played in the Illini Union Rec Room
576,635
Number of Starbucks customers through registers
158
Illini Union Courtyard CafĂŠ scheduled events
MBERS 8,623
10,243
19,000
Illini Union Courtyard Café scheduled events attendance
Illini Union Multimedia Dept. equipment rentals
iBooks produced by Illini Union Board
426
21,125
2,890
Number of SORF applications awarded $341,403.57 collectively
1.1 million
Number of RSO space requests approved by Illini Union RO Office
Number of repairs by Illini Union Tech Zone’s service dept.
Illini Union website pageviews
User logins at Computer Lab and Study Space (CLASS)
97,000
10.2 million
4,105
450
220
Pounds of food collected by Illini Union OVP during Cans Across the Quad
Toys collected by the Illini Union OVP Holiday Toy Drive
Number of digital copies produced by Document Services
Number of baskets collected during Illini Union OVP Thanksgiving Basket Drive
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GOALS FOR 2017-2018 The Illini Union had a remarkable year, but that does not mean our work is complete. We have exciting plans for the 2017-2018 academic year and look forward to seeing the success that will come from our dedicated efforts. FOSTER COLLABORATION, DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION • PFPO staff will provide expertise and information on the services and resources offered by PFPO by conducting informational training sessions to staff throughout Student Affairs and academic units. • The Illini Union marketing department will collaborate with the Illini Union Board to create a new Illini Union Board brand and marketing outreach program for events and recruitment.
97%
OF STUDENTS SAY THE ILLINI UNION IS A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT (Skyfactor college center and union survey) Students at Starbucks® in the Courtyard Café
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PROVIDE TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES • Fully establish the Student Organization Complex (SOC) operation within the Registered Organizations Office and continue its migration to a shared space for all registered student organizations.
MAKE A SIGNIFICANT AND VISIBLE SOCIETAL AND COMMUNITY IMPACT • Identify software or other innovative methods to translate PFPO communications to parents and families in multiple languages.
Students studying in the Student Organization Complex (SOC)
STEWARD CURRENT RESOURCES AND GENERATE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR STRATEGIC INVESTMENT • Convert to Kronos payroll processing, ensuring correct data and access to the necessary reports required for reporting the correct accruals and expenses by department. • Automate accounting for Starbucks systems (Micros & Yellow Dog) by assisting in interface development.
• The Food and Beverage Operations will implement online catering order system to better serve campus departments and provide additional revenue to invest in student programming.
• Implement accounts payable interface between Payables and WinPrism.
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Students enjoy a comedy show by Jay Pharoah for Homecoming 2016
ASSESSMENT PROJECTS The Illini Union completed the fifth annual EBI survey, now known as Skyfactor Benchworks. This assessment tool monitors overall performance of twelve key factors, in addition to institution specific questions that are submitted.
92%
OF STUDENTS SAY THE ILLINI UNION IS A SOURCE OF ENTERTAINMENT (Skyfactor college center and union survey)
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Factors include:
1. Publicizes the Union and promotes campus; 2. College Union has a positive environment; 3. College Union is student oriented; 4. College Union is a source of entertainment; 5. College Union enhances life and leadership; 6. Union food variety, quality and price; 7. Aspects of dining service; 8. Bookstore staff; 9. Bookstore items variety and price; 10. Union cleanliness; 11. Union staff; and 12. Overall program effectiveness.
Complete results are available at union.illinois.edu under About Us. Other assessment projects undertaken during the year: • Operations/Event Service Survey: evaluate the effectiveness of event services and the satisfaction of meeting space • Rec Room Mom’s Day Bags Tournament satisfaction survey • Rec Room Reservation Feedback Form • SORF Symposium Satisfaction Survey • SORF Summer Questionnaire: review of the SORF application process, the need for SORF assistance, and areas of improvement • IUB Moms Day Craft Fair: satisfaction of the participants in the craft fair so we can make future improvements
MISCELLANEOUS HIGHLIGHTS • Student Programs and Activities again received a Great Plays Grant of $20,000 awarded by MillerCoors towards alcohol-free programming. Courtyard Café programming, IUB’s Illinites and Spring Jam 2017 all shared in funding from the grant. • Veronica Bjorkman, Courtyard Café Program Coordinator, served as a staff member of the NACA Huge Leadership Weekend Institute. • Jared Eakins, IUB Program Advisor, authored an article entitled, “Building the foundation: A values-based approach for organizational leadership,” which was published in Campus Activities magazine. • Jenna Wicks, IUB Program Advisor, co-presented the educational session, “Naked & Afraid: Programming Survival Skills,” at the 2017 NACA National Convention. • Marketing’s graphic design staff and student staff received awards from the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Steal This Idea competition: Staff First Place: Dennis Lusiana for the I-Book; Theresa Fernandez for the Auntie Anne’s Wall Mural Second Place: Dennis Lusiana for the Illini Success Website Third Place: Lisa Watkins for the Bruce Nesbitt African American Cultural Center fundraising brochure; Theresa Fernandez for the Illini Union Annual Report Students Second Place: Adina Sayef for the 75th Anniversary Banners in the north and south lobbies Third Place: Juliana Reinhofer for the OVP Weekend Service Trips t-shirt design Honorable Mention: Sydney Friedman for the Congratulations Class of 2016 window signs at the Bookstore
Illini Union Marketing took photos of graduates on the Quad
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BOARD MEMBERS ILLINI UNION BOARD
Alonzo Marsh, President Jaz Monahan, Vice President for Policy Greg Mueller, Vice President for Programs Smit Patel, Vice President for Finance LC Lloyd, Director of Arts Kaniah Jackson, Director of Cultural Events Dixie Limbachia, Director of Enriching Programs Dallas Marks, Director of Illinites Kayla Santucci, Director of Marketing Nia McLin, Director of Traditional Programs Keanna Davis, Director of Special Events Jamie Singson, Director of Illini Union Laurel Reed Rosch, Associate Director of Student Programs & Activities Clint Harper, Staff Advisory Council Representative
ORGANIZATION FUND ADVISORY BOARD Students Members Keren Garcia- Phi Sigma Theta National Honors Society, Chair Eric Saulters- Illini Hockey, Vice Chair Katie Gao- Illini Secular Student Alliance, Secretary Kevin Staniszewiski- Sigma Nu, Student Member Adewale Adeyinka- Engineers without Boarders, Student Member Timothy Parrish, University Accounting (ExOfficio, non-voting) Dementro Powell, Assistant Director, Student Programs & Activities (Ex-Officio, non-voting) Kirk Branch, Business Affairs Manager (voting staff member) Jeff Yacup, Illinois Leadership Center (voting staff member) Advising Staff Janett Matthews, Program Advisor for Registered Organizations (Advisor, nonvoting
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2016-2017
STUDENT ORGANIZATION FUNDING BOARD
Brianne Lang, Undergraduate Student Member & Chair Josh Manning, Undergraduate Student Member & Vice-Chair Ean Albers, Undergraduate Student Member (Added as member in Fall 3) Kevin Cheng, Undergraduate Student Member (Incoming Chair, 2017-2018) Austin Errera, Undergraduate Student Member Han Song Huang, Undergraduate Student Member (Incoming Vice-Chair, 2017-2018) Edwin Zen, Undergraduate Student Member (Resigned in Fall 3) Keren Garcia Carrasco, Graduate Student Member (Added as a member in Fall 3, Position Vacant prior to Keren joining the board.) David Hanley, Graduate Student Member Terry Free, Staff Appointee (3rd year of 3 year term) Matt Myrick, Staff Appointee (2nd year of 3 year term) Nick Singer, Staff Appointee (1st year of 3 year term) Tim Parrish, ex-officio, non-voting OBFS representative Advising Staff Dementro Powell, Assistant Director, Illini Union David Mizell, SORF Program Advisor SORF Student Employees Casey Walker, SORF Board Secretary Vanessa Wang, SORF Board Web Designer
VOLUNTEER ILLINI PROJECTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Suana Thakrar, Chair Komal Jaffrini & Ngan (Junnie) Kieu, Vice Chairs Kyle Kuntsman, Treasurer Frankie Fridman, External Affairs Chair Sigi Wu, Animal Allies Yue (Echo) Qui, Arts Outreach Lauren Nidea (Lara), Blood Zack Panos, Community Justice Linna Jia, Daycare Paige Richardson, Environmental Kevin Cheng, Health Needs Diba Tannazi, Hunger and Homelessness Kinan Sawar, Recreation Sydney Handspike Ford, Senior Citizens Open, Social Empowerment Open, Special Projects Vishnu Chavva, Tutoring Tim Brown & Tony Guo (Guo Xudong), Public Relations Advising Staff John Race, OVP Program Advisor
DADS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joseph Gainer, President William Stratman, Vice President Greg Allen, Treasurer Robert Behle, Secretary Phil Schaefer, Past-President Directors Marios Karayannis Gary Longfellow Thomas Rizzo Robert James Chuck Dushman Phil Siegel William Cooney
MOMS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marisa Winkler, President Gwen Kanelos, Vice President of Parent Outreach/Membership Merydith Brostoff, Vice President of External Communication Denise Burkett, Vice President of Internal Communication/Secretary Marilyn Rowley, Vice President of Scholarships & Awards Jody Gleason, Vice President of Fundraising Erin Bline, Treasurer Christine Lach, Past-President (Ex-Officio) Directors Tina Sclafani Karen Smitt Ann Brundage Xiaohong Li Ann Dillard Diane Haff Jessica Spizzirri
FACULTY/STAFF LIAISON COMMITTEE
Lisa Hinchliffe, Faculty, Chair Maria Bonn, Faculty Liora Bresler, Faculty Gregory Davis, Faculty Elvira de Mejia, Faculty Peg Grossman, Faculty Bruce Michelson, Faculty Dave Tewksbury, Faculty Deborah Kraybill, Staff Michael Roux, Staff Jaz Monahan, Student Julia Witvliet, Student Larry Uphoff, (Interim) Illini Union Director (Ex-Officio) Tod Petrie, Director of Illini Union Bookstore (Ex-Officio) Franne Davis, Bookstore Staff (Ex-Officio)
91%
OF STUDENTS REPORT BEING INVOLVED IN CAMPUS ACTIVITIES (NASPA Campus Activities and Student Involvement survey)
Student demo at Amazon@Illinois in the Illini Union Bookstore
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ILLINI UNION
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1401 West Green Street Urbana, Illinois 61801 217.333.0160
union.illinois.edu /IlliniUnion
@Illini_Union
@IlliniUnion
@IlliniUnion
/IlliniUnion
This annual report may be obtained in alternative formats upon request. Please contact Erik Riha at eriha@illinois.edu or 217.244.3415.