10.31.22

Good morning, colleagues:

The final day of October is here — it’s been a “treat” to see all of the fall-themed activities occurring on campus this past month! The Chancellor’s Office staff enjoyed participating in the Trunk or Treat event with the Cox Children’s Center children last Friday, and several of our students were out and about in the community yesterday collecting nearly 8,000 pounds of canned goods for the annual Trick or Treat for Canned Goods philanthropy. What a great way to combine service with the season!

As usual, I have a lot of good information to share with you:

New Information

Election Day is Near

UIS is an Early Voting location for certain Sangamon County precincts through Nov. 4. The polling location is in the Student Union. Students who are registered to vote with a campus address may use this location to vote. On-site voter registration is available. As a reminder, Election Day (Nov. 8) is a holiday; enjoy your day off and please remember to vote!

Veterans Day Celebration

Our annual Veterans Day celebration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 11 in Conference Room C/D on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center, with a flag-raising ceremony outside at 9 a.m. by the teardrop drive. Immediately following the flag raising will be a keynote address from U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn D. Strahle from the Illinois National Guard. Refreshments will be provided.

Listening Sessions

For the remainder of the academic year, I will be hosting listening sessions for any faculty or staff member who wants to share their thoughts about our university climate and culture. Please complete this online form to express your interest in participating in a listening session. A member of the Chancellor’s Office will work to schedule you prior to May 2023. I will be prioritizing sessions with College of Business and Management faculty and staff first.

SHIELD Testing Hours

Testing hours have changed at the SHIELD COVID-19 testing site in the WUIS building. Beginning this week, testing will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays only. The site will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 8, for Election Day.

Save the Date: Investiture Ceremony is Feb. 8

The University of Illinois System will be hosting an Investiture Ceremony at 2 p.m. Feb. 8 in Sangamon Auditorium. A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony. More details will be forthcoming, but please save the date and plan to attend.

Professional Clothing Drive

The Career Development Center is accepting new and gently used professional clothes, from the UIS community only, for the free professional clothing closet for students through 5 p.m. Nov. 4. Please call 217-206-6508 or email careerservices@uis.edu to arrange a drop-off time or get more details.

Information that Bears Repeating

Colonnade Lighting

Our annual holiday tradition will continue this year with the lighting of the colonnade and accompanying refreshments. Save the date for 5:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18.

Honor a Veteran through SECA

In celebration of Veterans Day, SECA is honoring UIS employees for their service in the U.S. Armed Forces and raising funds for K9 For Warriors. Thank-you cards can be purchased to honor UIS Veterans or someone else who has served/is serving. Cards will be displayed outside Military and Veteran Student Services, lower level PAC, along with photos of UIS employees participating in the fundraiser. Purchase a card here.

The SECA campaign ends Nov. 16. Please see the SECA webpage for information about the campaign, a step-by-step video and helpful links. The donor form can be accessed here. Thank you for helping to make a difference for those in need in Illinois and beyond.

Annual Ethics Training – Deadline is 5 p.m. TODAY!

As a University of Illinois employee, you are required to complete ethics training on an annual basis. The training will remain accessible until 5 p.m. TODAY. This year’s course is presented in two parts, and both must be completed to receive your certificate of completion. Learn more on Orbit.  

Next Flu Shot Clinic

The Sangamon County Department of Public Health will be onsite 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16 on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center to administer free flu shots to UIS employees. Please take advantage of this convenient opportunity to promote wellness this flu season.  

Celebrating our Star Power

• Thanks to our Human Resources colleagues for providing a fantastic training for more than 50 UIS supervisors last Friday!

• Congratulations to Robert Weis, Employee of the Month for October. Robert is the coordinator and advisor for Engaged Learning and Partner Initiatives in the UIS Office of Engaged Learning. His nominator said he is “an amazing collaborator” who is able to work across campus and in the Springfield community to support the professional development of UIS students through internships and other employment opportunities.

I’m looking forward to a wonderful November and experiencing more UIS traditions as the holiday season approaches. I hope to see you at some of the wonderful programs and events our university has to offer! From the arts to athletics to the colonnade lighting, we are so fortunate to have these opportunities to enjoy together.

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield