Whether you’re looking at our chemical engineering major or planning to minor in Slavic literature, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has something to offer you.
As an incoming freshman or a returning student, the amount of information you receive can be overwhelming and signing up for a tour can be intimidating. This blog will help explain the essential pieces of information you need to make the most out of your tour.
Signing up or asynchronous?
If you are looking to major or minor in the College of LAS, there are 3 primary experiences that we offer: a general university tour, a self-guided tour and LAS prospective student presentations.
General University Tour
The general university tour has two options: one for prospective students and one for admitted students. Both tours offer valuable information for students to become familiar with campus. Both tours have a presentation with facts about the university, student experiences and more. There is a Q&A with current students and a walking tour which passes buildings such as the Illini Union and student resident halls, but also LAS staples such as the English Building and the Natural History Building.
Self-Guided Quad Tour
The self-guided Quad tour involves a bit more planning and self-determination, but it can be just as rewarding and informative as other tours. As an LAS student, the Quad Tour showcases more of what students are likely to see everyday. The website provides navigation and fun facts with each location you choose to visit. For LAS, some of the highlight buildings would be Lincoln Hall and the Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics Building.
LAS Prospective Student Presentations
The LAS prospective student presentation does not feature a walking tour, but it does provide a very informative session with LAS students and faculty detailing what a new student will typically experience, coursework information, admission information and a Q&A. This option is a more interactive session with opportunities for students and parents to ask questions, receive guidance and learn about next steps.
Important LAS buildings
With more than 70 majors and 60 minors offered, LAS has many locations for classes and where students can study. With the main Quad housing many of our buildings, it can take no more than 5 minutes to get to your next class.
Lincoln Hall
Lincoln Hall is the current home of all things College of LAS. This building has LAS administrative offices, multiple classes hosted by LAS major and minors and the Paul M. Lisnek LAS Hub. The Lisnek LAS Hub offers peer mentoring which helps students with internships, volunteer opportunities and community engagement. The Hub also offers drop-in advising which includes career services, honor services, speaking and writing workshops.
English Building
The English Building houses the departments of English, rhetoric and business and technical writing. The building offers spaces to writing-intensive subjects but also other LAS fields. Many student RSO groups meet here weekly for their sessions and other fun events. The English Building has a rich history with many rumors of being haunted, but it nevertheless is a beloved building to the College of LAS.
Natural History Building
Home to the beloved giant woolly mammoth statue, the Natural History Building houses the School of Integrative Biology, as well as the School of Earth, Society, and Environment. Being right next to the Illini Union towards the front of the Quad, the Natural History Building is right by several other LAS buildings. The mammoth statue reminds students of Illinois’ interesting history and provides a sense of community to our students.
David Kinley Hall
Named after the influential economist who was the head of economics and once the president of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, David Kinley Hall is home to LAS’ department of economics. Also hosting many political science classes, David Kinley Hall is one of the university’s original standing buildings and a proud staple of LAS.
Davenport Hall
Once home to the College of Agriculture, Davenport Hall is now home to LAS’ anthropology and geography department. This building hosts many classes of the College of Liberal Arts & Science majors and minors. Although not related to agriculture anymore, the building represents the university’s upstanding commitment to all types of sciences.
Burrill & Morrill Halls
Twin Burrill and Morrill Halls are home to the vast selection of LAS’ life sciences and ecology; Burrill hosts biology, neuroscience and more, and Morrill hosts ecology and more. Being right next to Noyes Laboratory of Chemistry, both Burrill and Morrill Hall serve as two of the staple LAS buildings for STEM majors.
Noyes Laboratory of Chemistry
The Noyes Laboratory of Chemistry houses everything in chemistry. Once the largest building in the country for the purpose of chemical research and a designated National Historical Chemical Landmark, Noyes Laboratory proudly represents over 100 years of chemical science contributions all from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.
Essential University Locations
Aside from key College of LAS buildings, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has many buildings on campus that offer student food, entertainment and more. These locations are frequently visited on university tours and have visitors traveling from across the country.
Illini Union
The Illini Union is a hub for activities and study spots. With hundreds of events hosted yearly, a variety of food options, a recreation room and technological services, the Illini Union has something for everyone to enjoy.
Krannert Center
Showcasing some of the most creative events at the university, the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois features many entertaining experiences for students, staff and community members. The Krannert Center puts on a wide range of events from orchestra performances to fashion shows and has events year-long.
Gies Memorial Stadium
As a Big Ten school, the university’s famous Gies Memorial Stadium upholds the value college football has to many individuals. Built in 1923 to honor the veterans who lost their lives in World War 1, the stadium brings thousands of fans every year to root for the Fighting Illini football team and is a staple for all University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign athletes.
State Farm Center
From performances from Elvis Presley to Sesame Street, the State Farm Center has offered quality entertainment for students, staff, alumni and community members. The architect, Max Abramovitz, was an alum of the university himself, and was able to capture the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign’s vibrant energy with over 15,000 seats and a glowing white dome.
Illinois Arboretum
The Illinois Arboretum maintains over 100 acres of beautiful protected natural spaces and gardens. Open daily to everybody and even leashed dogs, the Illinois Arboretum hosts many events every year including 5k runs and student events.
Green Street
Offering many food, beauty and convenience stores as well as apartments, Green Street has been an essential destination to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus for decades. Once even having live performances, Green Street continues to evolve with the students on campus.
Get involved
The College of LAS features many student-run organizations for individuals to connect with their community and major or minor. With some being more directly tied to coursework and others simply for community engagement, each RSO has a unique flare which highlights our campus’ diverse interests.
English Student Association (ESA)
The English Student Association (ESA) hosts many events throughout the school year for students. Students within the English department meet weekly and feature fun activities such as off-campus field trips, craft nights, book discussions and more.
Brain Matters
Focusing in neuroscience, psychology and biology, Brain Matters is the official undergraduate and open-access neuroscience journal at the university. The journal has opportunities for students to be a writer, editor, or designer.
Students for Environmental Concerns
Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the oldest environmental organization at the University of Illinois and meets weekly to educate individuals on environmental issues. Throughout the year they work on projects such as their environmental magazine, solidarity gardens and other efforts.
Life outside of campus
When looking for a break from classes or having friends or family visit, students have a wealth of options of great food, drink and gift shop locations to hang out at. With some off-campus and some on-campus, there's something accessible to every student.
Seven Saints
A little off campus in downtown Champaign, Seven Saints is a highlight tour destination for students and their guests to have quality food. As an American-style tavern, they serve sliders, sandwiches and more.
The Literary
In downtown Champaign, The Literary is an indie bookstore and brunch spot for all Champaign-Urbana residents to enjoy. With guest speakers, book clubs and craft nights, The Literary has much to offer any casual enjoyer or book lover.
Lincoln Square Mall
Recently revived, Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana has a store for anyone. Frequently hosting vintage fests and flea markets, as well as having a diner, a record store and more, Lincoln Square Mall has been a key destination in Urbana since 1964.
Art Mart
Art Mart features a wide selection of food, baked goods, wine, toys, kitchen appliances, gifts and more. Located a off campus at 1705 S Prospect Ave, Art Mart’s croissants are baked fresh every morning and prove to be a highlight destination spot for every visitor.
Next Steps
From delicious food destinations to rich cultural and historical buildings, prospective or returning LAS students have a lot to explore on campus. These locations are only the preview of what a day as an LAS student might look like. Find out more about what the University of Illinois College of LAS can offer you here.