Good morning, UIS!
It’s been reinvigorating to see our new Prairie Stars on campus this month as they’ve participated in our revamped one-day orientation programming. We’re hearing great things about their experiences, and I know all of us cannot wait to have the Class of 2025 join us this fall.
New Information
Vaccination Requirement
The UI System vaccine requirement for on-campus students has brought up a lot of questions from UIS faculty, staff and students about policies on our own campus. Thank you to those who attended our Listening Session on Zoom last Friday; a recording is on my webpage. Your concerns and questions are valued and appreciated. Please know our leadership team is diligently crafting a policy that will contain information on exemption policies, important deadlines and more. That plan will be released later this week and communicated thoroughly.
Updated Mask Policy
UIS no longer requires face coverings or physical distancing indoors or outdoors on UIS property for individuals who are fully vaccinated and have uploaded their vaccination card to Medicat. Some exceptions to this policy include:
· All instructional spaces for Summer 2021 courses (classrooms, labs)
· Health-care settings (UIS COVID-19 Testing Site, UIS Health Services)
· Child-care settings (Cox Children’s Center)
For these spaces, face coverings will continue to be required of ALL individuals, regardless if they are vaccinated.
UIS Organizational Changes
In alignment with my goal to implement organizational improvements to strengthen efficiencies—one of 10 priorities I have for my time as interim chancellor—the following changes are underway:
· UIS Athletics has moved under the Division of Student Affairs.
· Starting July 1, a newly formed Division of Finance and Administration, led by interim Vice Chancellor Arnold Henning, will oversee UIS Police, Human Resources and Administrative Affairs, Facilities and Services.
· The Office of Advancement will transition to the Division of Advancement later this year.
Leaders of each division will continue to report to the chancellor.
Fall Welcome
Welcome Week and Fall Orientation have merged to become Fall Welcome this year. The two-week event kicks off with Freshman Move-In Day on Aug. 16 and runs through Aug. 29. Fall Welcome is now accepting department program plans. These should be submitted by July 9 for both group-specific programming Aug. 16-19 (CAP Meetings, L4L retreat, etc.) and campus-wide programming Aug. 17-29. If your event already appears on the scheduled draft, you do not need to submit.
Juneteenth Holiday
The UI System is adding Juneteenth to its holiday schedule beginning in 2022. More information will be coming on the observance of this state and national holiday.
Broadband Assistance for Students
Financial help is available for families challenged with the cost of internet service needed for remote learning. If you know of a student or family who could benefit from this assistance, please share this website, where they can apply for a $50 monthly grant.
2021 Annual CQI Conference
The Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Community invites you to attend the 2021 CQI Conference, which will be held virtually Oct. 6-7. This year's conference will focus on community engagement, equity, sustaining a CQI-driven environment and how CQI can make a positive impact in these areas. Click here to register.
New: Cannabis Industry Certificates
UIS’ Office of Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) has partnered with Green Flower to offer non-credit online certificates on cannabis industry topics beginning this August.
Information Worth Repeating
SHIELD Testing
SHIELD testing is required each week on the UIS campus if you are not vaccinated against COVID-19 or have not uploaded your vaccination card to Medicat. Directions on how to upload your vaccination card can be found on the United in Safety website.
New Website Event Training
One of the great features of the new UIS website is the all-new integrated calendar feature. Sign-up for Website Event Training to learn how to add events to the new website!
Celebrating our Star Power
Congratulations to UIS’ Ann Marie Hanson, associate professor of Environmental Studies, Graham Peck, Wepner Distinguished Professor of Lincoln Studies, Brytton Bjorngaard, associate professor of Art, and Meghan Kessler, assistant professor of Teacher Education, for receiving funding for their projects under the University of Illinois System’s Presidential Initiative: Expanding the Impact of the Arts and the Humanities.
Enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend!
Karen
Karen M. Whitney, PhD
Interim Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield