A recent study by the University proves that canned foods are just as good for you as the fresh or frozen version.

Studies by universities — the University of Illinois conducted two, while the University of Massachusetts did another — confirmed that canned fruits and vegetables are comparable in nutrition to their fresh-cooked and frozen counterparts, making them a convenient and economical way for North Americans to eat healthy.

Most people shy away from canned foods claiming they are not fresh and that they taste bad. While both of these facts may be true, they are known to be cheaper and apparently just a nutritious as fresh food.

So save yourself some money this week and buy a can.

A can and a plan – Edmonton Sun

Mr. Jorge Paulo Lemann of Switzerland and his family have pledged to give $14 million to the university in the largest gift ever from non-alumni.

The Lemann Institute will build on the UI’s existing programs and initiatives related to Brazil.

It will be based in the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in International Programs and Studies.

“Our gift stems from our appreciation of the university’s contribution in attracting an increasing number of talented Brazilians and in enhancing their education,” Lemann said in a written statement. “They, in turn, positively affect Brazilian development and society, as evidenced by the number of Illinois graduates in important jobs throughout Brazil.”

Lemann is a Brazilian born Harvard Graduate. He is a partner of GP Investimentos, a private equity firm, and a shareholder of Anhesuer-Busch InBev. He is also a tennis champion.

From all of us at UIUC… thanks!

Brazilian-Swiss man gives UI $14 million for Brazilian studies – The News-Gazette

In a MASSMAIL today, Chancellor Richard Herman thanked all those who participated in the January 22nd Town Hall Meeting and ensured the university that they are doing everything they can to protect jobs and keep Illinois a highly ranked academic institution.

I write to thank everyone who participated in our town hall meeting.  It is important that we continue to work together to address the critical challenges we are facing because of the state’s uncertain financial
situation.

A summary of the town hall meeting, a description of ongoing initiatives, an FAQ, and a virtual ideas box to receive your suggestions have been posted at the following url: http://provost.illinois.edu/stewardingourresources/index.html.  Through this means we will continue to receive input from those of you who have additional comments and recommendations.

Whether you attended the session at Foellinger Auditorium or participated via the online or broadcast facilities, I commend you for taking the time to learn and share ideas about how we can remain a great and valuable institution.  We are a premier institution today and together we will remain so in the years to come.

Many of you made suggestions about how we might navigate the choppy economic waters we sail in, while remaining true to our cornerstone values and principles:  quality programs and assurance that we provide our students with an educational experience that will prepare them to be leaders.

A clear, resounding and recurring message was delivered during the town hall meeting – protect jobs.  While it would be reckless for me to make such promises without knowing the impact of the state’s financial situation on the university, what I can assure you is that the highest possible priority will be protecting people and their jobs.

Provost Katehi and I continue to work with the campus leadership team to chart our course.  As we learn more about the state’s financial situation, we will share that information.  We will draw upon all of the ideas that have been and will be tendered so that we can make the best informed decisions.  We look forward to hearing from you.  Many thanks for your continued participation at this critical time in Illinois’ history.

Check out the website, it’s pretty interesting; and since this involves us all, it’s important that you are informed.

Did you know that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign received more National Science Foundation funding in 2007 than any other academic institution with $118 million in awards?

Check out more interesting facts about how Illinois positively influences the economy on Impact Illinois

Did you go to the Campus Budget Town Hall meeting? The campus is in quite a pickle budget-wise, and many good ideas and comments were voiced at the meeting on Thursday. If you missed it, check out the details and the video below.

Campus Budget Town Hall Meeting Resources
Download the Campus Budget Town Hall Video

In a MASSMAIL to all university students, faculty and staff, President Joseph B. White outlined the current financial situation at the University of Illinois.

Since I wrote to you in late October about our financial outlook, the global financial crisis has become a worldwide recession.  At least 43 states — Illinois included — face revenue shortfalls in the current fiscal year with consequences for their public universities.

Last week I briefed the Board of Trustees on our financial outlook.  I also spoke with leaders of 15 organizations that represent different groups of University employees to brief them and pledge cooperation in working together through difficult financial times.

In this message, I want to brief you.  First, let me remind you of what I said in my October message: that the University of Illinois, in our 142 year history, has been through good times and hard times, periods of war and stretches of peace, campus tranquility and campus turmoil.  Through it all, those who preceded us endured and built a great institution.  We intend to do the same in the circumstances we face.

The situation in Illinois is this: the revenue shortfall for fiscal 2008-09 is conservatively estimated to be $2.1 billion, and the state has a $4 billion to $5 billion backlog in unpaid bills; the leadership situation in the state leaves us without clear direction on how much state-supported budgets may have to be reduced; and we must plan for fiscal 2010 in which economic conditions will continue to be difficult.

In light of this situation, the University’s leaders — chancellors and provosts, vice presidents, and deans and directors — have prepared contingency plans to handle a significant rescission of our fiscal 2009 appropriation should it come from the state in the next several months.

The planning has been guided by three principles: protect academic quality; serve well students and others who depend on us; and minimize adverse effects on our people.

Our plan is to handle a rescission by continuing the freeze on all except essential hiring that has been in place for the last three months and substantially reducing purchases, travel and other expenses.  We will do our best to avoid significant budget-driven layoffs.  However, in light of the financial circumstances some units of the University may face, I cannot provide complete assurance, especially if the rescission is large.

With regard to fiscal 2010 that begins July 1, 2009, there is substantial uncertainty about what our situation will be.  If the recession deepens, if state revenues decline more, and if there is not help for the states and higher education from the Obama administration, fiscal 2010 could be a very difficult year.  Should this be the case, there will be great pressure on all our costs at the University, of which 75 percent are faculty and staff.  I cannot rule out the kinds of actions that we see occurring in some other states now, including voluntary and mandatory furlough days.  I hope these will not be needed but we will keep you posted as the picture develops.

Each campus has scheduled a town hall meeting to discuss the budget outlook.  I urge you to participate in these meetings to gain a better understanding of the challenges we face.

This week, like many of you, I watched with great pride and admiration the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.  He called on us to look ahead, work together and make the changes required for a better future.  This is exactly what we need to do at the University of Illinois as we get through difficult times that will give way to that better future.

Thank you for your excellent work and for your membership in the University community.  I look forward to continuing to work together.

Follow The Quad’s continuous coverage of the University’s current economic concerns:

Tightening the Pocketbook
2009 UI Budget Outlook
Assembly Hall Remodel on Hold
Removing Majors in Hard Economic Times

The recent economic fluctuation has finally taken its tole on the University of Illinois. In a MASSMAIL this morning, Chancellor Richard Herman has invited all students, faculty and staff to a town hall meeting in Foellinger auditorium on Thursday, January 22nd. The topic of the meeting is the university’s plans for meeting the new budget.

I invite you to join me at a town hall meeting on Thursday, January 22, where we will discuss the campus and university budget.  The event, open to the campus community, will take  place from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Foellinger Auditorium.  Among the topics Provost Linda Katehi, others and I will discuss will be the state of the current budget and plans for meeting budget challenges.  Audience members will have an opportunity to comment, ask questions, and make suggestions.

There is also an included link that brings you to the UI system budget outlook webpage. Some of the information there is pretty interesting, you should check it out here.

Be informed, and go to the meeting.

Have you heard the rumors surrounding the basketball arena? The fact is, Assembly Hall is old and although it looks pretty sweet from the outside, it is outdated and can only hold so many people. The talk surrounding the issue has explained initial plans for an Assembly Hall remodel, or an entirely new arena as reported by The Quad in April.

Anyway, due to the recent economy, any and all plans for a stadium remodel have been halted.

University spokesman Kent Brown says Athletic Director Ron Guenther decided to indefinitely delay the project because of the economy.

Illinois wrapped up $121 million of work at nearby Memorial Stadium last year. Brown says no dollar figure had been publicly discussed for the Assembly Hall project, but he says it would certainly have cost more.

The university planned to use private funding for the work. But Brown says announcing a big, new project as the university prepares to cut spending elsewhere wouldn’t have been wise.

WandTV – University of Illinois says sour economy puts plans for 46-year-old Assembly Hall on hold