Programs

The University YMCA has run hundreds of programs since 1873. These are the ones with pages in the archive so far, each with its records and, for many, a full history. More are on the way.

Freshman Camp

1926

1973

A camp held each September from 1926 to welcome entering freshmen to the University; later Freshman Conference and New Student Conference, it ended in 1973.

Friday Forum

1927

The University YMCA's weekly noon lecture and discussion, held since Feb. 11, 1927.

Bailey Scholarship Program

1957

Scholarships the University YMCA has given University of Illinois students every year since 1957, from the bequest of Champaign banker Fred S. Bailey; since 2009 a program for student leaders in service and social action.

Know Your University

1971

A noon lecture series, begun in the spring of 1971, that introduced faculty, and later staff and students, to the University's programs and resources.

Communiversity

1977

2009

Low-cost, non-credit, non-graded classes open to anyone, offered three terms a year from 1977 to 2009 on the idea that anyone can teach and anyone can learn.

Dump & Run

2002

The University YMCA's reuse program and Big Sale, held every year but one since Sept. 2002, which turns students' move-out castoffs into low-cost goods and money for the Y's programs.

Art @ the Y

2009

The University YMCA's gallery program in Murphy Gallery, with four to six exhibitions a year since 2010.

New American Welcome Center

2017

The University YMCA's center for immigrants and their neighbors in Champaign County, launched in 2017 from the student organizing and La Línea helpline that began at the Y in 2010 and 2011.

Have photos, papers or memories of a Y program? Write to hello.ymca@universityymca.org