University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Graduate College

The first students to do graduate work enrolled in 1877, leading to the awarding of the first master's degree in 1878. 1 However, a graduate program was not set up until 1891. 2 The Graduate School was formally organized in 1907, after appropriation of funds by the Illinois General Assembly. 3 Its name was changed to the Graduate College in 1947, in anticipation of its new significance in the University organization. 4 In 1968, the Board of Trustees provided for separate Graduate Colleges on each of three University campuses. 5 The Graduate College has the responsibility of developing and safeguarding standards of graduate work and promoting and assisting research by faculty members. 6 It provides assistance and supervision to other degree-granting units on the campus. 7

In 1974, the Board of Trustees added the title of Vice Chancellor for Research to Dean of the Graduate College to more accurately describe the responsibilities vested in the college. 8

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