3.21.22 

Dear UIS Colleagues –  

Happy second official day of spring! I hope you had an enjoyable spring break; whether you spent some time away from central Illinois or just had the opportunity to get outside in the spring-like weather, I hope you are refreshed and energized. Good luck to the students and faculty involved in accelerated courses, which begin today.

New Information 

COVID-19 Updates 

• Anyone who traveled or participated in large gatherings over spring break is strongly encouraged to visit our SHIELD testing site this week to help us stay United in Safety.
• We are planning a fun surprise for the campus this Wednesday to say thanks for being United in Safety for the past two years. Watch your email Wednesday morning!
• The U.S. government is providing four more free COVID-19 rapid tests for anyone who would like them. If you had not already placed an order for the at-home tests, you can place two orders on the USPS website.
• Live UIS Performing Arts Center performances have resumed, generally without restrictions. However, specific requirements may pop up, individual to each performance. For up-to-date info about each show, check the UIS Performing Arts Center website.

GPSI Nonprofit Push 

The Graduate Public Service Internship Program is seeking nonprofit organizations that could benefit from the help of a graduate internship placement. Please help spread the word. If you are involved in a nonprofit organization, please direct them to Sherrie Elzinga. May 1 is the deadline for nonprofits to apply for a GPSI intern for this fall. 

CSAC Professional Development Funding 

The Civil Service Advisory Council is accepting applications for professional development funding awards for Civil Service employees. The funds can be used for subscriptions to journals, conference and meeting registrations, conference travel, workshops and online training materials. The deadline to apply is March 23. 

Career Connections is back 

UIS will host the annual Career Connections Expo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 31 in TRAC. Encourage students to attend! 

Wellness Wednesdays 

Mark your calendars and join your colleagues for a midday workout each Wednesday in April at TRAC. Cost is $5 per session, or buy a 12-session pass for $50. All fitness levels are welcome. Contact Amber Pye if you have questions, apye3@uis.edu.

STARS Symposium 

The Student Technology, Arts & Research Symposium is April 7-8 on campus. Mark your calendars to attend and support research by faculty and students.  

UIS Theatre 

UIS Theatre will present A Doll’s House, Part 2 this spring. The show runs April 1-3 and April 7-9. Learn more. 

Book Drive 

The education honor society is collecting gently used or new books for grades K-12. Collection bins can be found through April 1 in the Student Union, UHB and Brookens, and through April 22 in HCOM and the residential halls. 

 Information that Bears Repeating 

Commencement Update 

• Intent to Participate – Students who intend to participate in Commencement ceremonies need to submit an online Intent to Participate on the UIS Commencement website TODAY. 
• Graduate Salute in the UIS Bookstore (student regalia, invitations, etc.) 
  • March 24: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
  • March 25: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
  • March 26: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
• Commencement is May 14 at the BOS Center. 
  • 12:30 p.m. College of Liberal Arts & Sciences 
  • 5:30 p.m. All other colleges 
• Watch for upcoming requests for volunteers at the ceremonies.

Harassment Training  

The deadline for completing your annual Preventing Harassment and Discrimination training module is 6 p.m. April 1. If you have not completed it, please do so very soon. 

Staff Appreciation Day & CAPE/CARE Awards 

We are celebrating Staff Appreciation Day on March 31 by recognizing our CAPE and CARE nominees. Please register and join us in person, or via Zoom. 

Celebrating our Star Power 

UIS was again recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a 2021 Bronze Award winning Bicycle Friendly University. Thank you to Anna Schoenherr in Campus Recreation for submitting our information for consideration. 

Congratulations to the Sviatoslav Braynov and the UIS Computer Science Department for their work that contributed to UIS being redesignated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.  

Congratulations to Kenneth Owen, associate professor of history and Model in Illinois Government faculty adviser. The UIS delegation recently competed in the Model Illinois Government simulation. Three UIS students were named to the MIG executive board. The delegation took home five individual awards, and five UIS students were elected to legislative positions. 

We are in the home stretch of this academic year, and great things are still to come; Springfest, spring sports seasons and Commencement, not to mention the introduction of the new UIS chancellor. I am happy to be experiencing this all with you.

Karen 

Karen M. Whitney, PhD 

Interim Chancellor  University of Illinois Springfield