4.29.24

Good morning,

It is a busy time for students, faculty and staff as we work to close out the semester. We may be struggling with competing priorities or notice changes in our coworkers or students. If necessary, please remind students about available support services on campus, such as the Counseling Center, and please remember the Employee Assistance Program is available to employees who are eligible to be enrolled in a state health insurance plan. 

Commencement is quickly approaching, and I can't wait to help students celebrate their achievements. We are still accepting volunteers for Commencement: Please sign up. Training is this week if you would like to be a part of the ceremonies.

New Information

Donation of Anatomage Tables

Memorial Health donated two new Anatomage tables for use by students studying athletic training, biology and exercise science, as well as UIC Nursing Springfield students. The technology lets students fully visualize and learn about human anatomy layer by layer. The tables are located in BSB and HSB. 

Summer Camps

UIS Continuing and Professional Education will offer five academic summer camps for high school students. Each experience will be led by UIS faculty and will offer students a challenging, fun and affordable summer experience focused on exploring emerging technologies. To learn more about what camps will be offered, dates and deadlines click here. 

TRAC Gym Floor Refinishing

Facilities and Services will oversee the refinishing of the gym floor at TRAC beginning this week with work continuing through May. Parking near TRAC may be affected, so please watch for directional signage. For more information on Facilities and Services projects, please read the unit's monthly newsletter.

Visual Arts Gallery

The Visual Arts Gallery presents “Inter | Action,” a group exhibition featuring works by an all-women roster of five visual arts students as they prepare to transition from student artists to emerging professionals. The exhibition is open to the public until May 9.

Information that Bears Repeating

Annual Evaluations for Employees

The Annual Evaluation Process for Academic Professional and Civil Services employees is underway through Friday, May 31. Evaluations must be submitted to Human Resources by the end of day June 7. For additional information about HR’s updated electronic evaluation form, upcoming trainings for supervisors and more, visit Orbit.

New Summer Courses

UIS is offering more than 250 courses starting June 3. Many of the courses address emerging trends showcasing UIS' commitment to providing innovative education. Please encourage students who would benefit to sign up or learn more by visiting uis.edu/summer.

End of Academic Year Party

Join us on the Student Union Patio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 13. This year’s theme is Decades, so all employees are encouraged to dress for their favorite decade as we celebrate the end of the academic year. RSVP today!

FAFSA

If you know students who have questions about the FAFSA or need assistance, connect them to the Office of Financial Assistance by email, phone, or in-person appointments. You can view the major changes and FAFSA information here.

Sexual Misconduct Survey

The student Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey remains open through May 7. It is important to hear from as many students as possible so that what we learn is representative of our students’ experiences. More info and a link to the survey is available on the website.

Celebrating Our Star Power

Jennifer Bettis, director of development for Advancement, has been named one of the Springfield Business Journal’s Women of Influence for 2024. 

Vickie Cook, vice chancellor for enrollment and retention management, is the recipient of the 2024 Mildred B. and Charles A. Wedemeyer Award for Outstanding Writer/Scholar in Distance Education from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA).

Dre Duvendack, Gender and Sexuality Student Services program coordinator and adjunct communication instructor, received the Star Staff Award at the 16th annual Good as Gold Ceremony held at UIS.

Hanfu Mi, professor in the School of Education, has been selected as a U.S. Department of State Fulbright U.S. Scholar for the 2024-25 academic year. 

Miriam Wallace, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, in collaboration with COPLAC partner Eastern Connecticut University, was awarded a $25,000 National Endowment for the Humanities grant aimed at navigating AI. 

Best wishes for a fruitful and fulfilling end of the semester!

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD
Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield