School and Community Day at Sangamon State University was held on December 17, 1970. This day was to discuss the start of the senior institution, how it dealt with education experiences and how the institution intersected with Springfield. The day had discussion panels and speakers to talk about these issues. Students were involved by being in classes that required volunteer services and in these discussions. School and Community Day would morph into University Week which was first held in May 1971.

In March of 1971, a “University Week” was held with the theme being Education and Government: SSU Studies itself in a Changing Society. Discussion panels and speakers included Alan A. Drazek, Robert Lehnhausen, Father John Cortelyou, Alban Weber, J. David Jones, W. Joseph Gibbs, William Horsley, Wilbur Moulton, Richard Damashek, Roger Sweet, Stan Sokolik, Dr. Michael J. Baklis, Dr. James B. Holderman, and Springfield mayor Nelson Howarth. Topics of speakers and discussions included campus disorders, federal aid to private education, Illinois personnel needs, governance (at SSU), teaching and learning art Sangamon State, and the Illinois Board of Higher Education.