The new monument being constructed in recognition of ASUI’s and the student body’s contribution to the dome over the P1FCU Arena will ensure the legacy of students for years to come.
The monument will reflect ASUI’s contribution to putting the roof over the dome. ASUI’s history with the dome started with the original arena, which was constructed in 1971, but it was not until 1975 that the familiar roof was constructed. Dirk Kempthorne, who was the ASUI president at the time, proposed the idea to construct a roof along with others in a collaborative effort. At the time, the concept of a roof was a well-needed necessity for athletes and students alike.
“[Kempthorne] went to every living group and met with as many students as possible,” ASUI President Tanner McClain said in an interview. “It was essentially a mass survey of the student body.”
Although this meant an increase in student fees, Kempthorne gained approval from most of the students for the funding of the dome. He went to the State Board and got authorization for the dome construction. This led to the arena formally being called the Kibbie-ASUI Activity Center for almost 50 years.
Although student fees were once the main contributors to the Arena, now it’s due to sponsors for overall maintenance and quality of the dome. The concept of a monument in recognition of ASUI and its contribution to putting the roof over the dome originally came from looking for other sponsors and funding. Even though Potlatch Financial Credit Union was able to secure naming rights over the dome in the summer, ASUI still wanted to ensure a monument reflecting ASUI’s and the students’ contribution to the dome.
“This is the opportunity to create something iconic,” President McClain said. “To create something monumental.”
President McClain also went on to discuss how other campuses have monuments that reflect their school, and this monument will be no different.
“We want something long-lasting. Lasting as long as the University itself.”
The purpose of the monument, according to ASUI’s President, is to display student voices and the power they have.
“The vision of this is to display the significant role of students on campus. There would be no U of I without students. There would be no vandal family without students.”
President McClain also explained that the monument will leave a legacy for students by showing that students do have the power to help make decisions on campus and reflect ASUI’s commitment to the student body.
“Our mission here at ASUI is to voice the concerns of the student body, and this monument will symbolize how valued and how crucial the student voice is here on campus.”
The monument is currently still in its preliminary stages of being designed. More updates are to follow in the spring on when the monument will be constructed and the design.
“This isn’t something that should be rushed,” President McClain said when discussing the monument and its construction. “This is something that should be taken into full consideration.”
An overall goal of ASUI, which will be reflected in the vision of the monument, will be to show that ASUI is not just the student government, but it is the voice of the student body and highlighting its impact and legacy.
“This is something that we should be patient about to create something that will be long-lasting,” President McClain said. “It’s highly important that this monument exemplifies the excellence of our ASUI past, present and future.”
Andrea Roberts can be reached at [email protected]