Bids for the library renovation are currently open. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall. Construction of the chilled water loop and food court will also begin this fall. The fine arts project is still in active planning. The university's web site has been totally redone.
Students can now enjoy a virtual tour of the campus.
The Courtyard addition has enhanced the appearance of that region of the campus. In her first state of the university address since becoming president of Eastern Illinois University a year ago, Carol D. Surles said the greatest challenges facing higher education are to preserve the values and ideas that are fundamental to higher education and to define and create the university of the future. It is clear that the academy is in transition. Surles said she has come to accept the notion that if change is inevitable, higher education must lead the charge. Surles challenged the university community to analyze Eastern's programs, operations, competitiveness and facilities, all of which are related, she said, to the broader question of defining the current state of higher education.