Daniel Perrino was a teacher in the Music department and served as dean of student programs and services from 1968 until 1976. Perrino recounts his efforts to respond to changing needs of UI by expanding the student programs developing Quad Day as a space for diverse student groups could make connections with each other.
David Bechtel was a student at University of Illinois during the early 1960s and eventually became an assistant dean in charge of men's residences in 1969 before he moved to the undergraduate career center in 1972. Hugh Satterlee served as an administrator in various capacities from the 1960s to 1980s, including Dean of Students. In this interview Bechtel and Satterlee discuss their experience dealing with student turmoil on campus.
Eisenman discusses the discontent certain faculty members and students felt during the centennial year regarding the quality of education at the University of Illinois. Of major concern was the length of time it took for new courses to be approved, which Eisenman found discouraging during the Vietnam era, a period of rapid change.
Michael Metz attended the U of I from 1965 to 1970. He came from a family with very traditional values, but he eventually became active in the Free Speech Movement and protests of the Vietnam War. He feels that his liberal arts education and conversations he had with friends helped him understand the injustices of the world. Metz also mentions that the people protesting were initially a small but powerful minority, but over time, the majority of students likely believed in their cause.
Paul Schroeder attended the U of I from 1964 to 1968. He was a student member of the board of the Illini Publishing Company and served in the student government. His main focus in activism was educational reform, specifically coming out of student government. He created a program called Freshman Seminar to cultivate student leaders by having students visit with professors in their homes and offices. Schroeder hoped to create a more personable setting than a classroom.
Phil Durrett attended the U of I starting in 1965, but left in 1967. He was active in the student protest movement, specifically in the protests against Dow Chemical. Dow Chemical attempted to recruit students to work for the company, but Durrett and others staged a protest to prevent the recruiters from doing so. He was initially expelled from the university but appealed and was instead put on probation. Durrett decided to transfer to Amherst instead of finishing his studies at the U of I.
A group of men who were students and administrators in the late 1960s and early 1970s recall violence and political turmoil surrounding the Vietnam War, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and more. The group also discusses the first Quad Day and Project 500. Interviewees include David Bechtel, Mark Herriot, Daniel Perrino, Willard Broom, and Hugh Satterlee.
Willard Broom attended the University of Illinois in the late 1960s. At first, Willard was oblivious to political activity on campus; but he has memories of escalating tension and violence that surrounded the Vietnam War, Project 500, and environmental concerns.
