2.10.25

Happy Monday,

It's time to recognize some of our exceptional employees! Submit a nomination on Orbit through Feb. 14 for the Chancellor's Awards. Categories include the 18th annual CARE Award (for civil service); the 22nd annual CAPE Award (for academic professionals); and additional staff awards: Orion Award (for impact on students), Polaris Award (for staff leadership), Nova Award (for new employees), and the Sirius Award (for shining attitude and performance). Winners will be announced at the Employee Appreciation CARE and CAPE Awards Ceremony from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on March 13 in the Student Union Ballroom. Submit your nomination on Orbit through Feb. 14.  

New Information

NorthStar Initiative 

Progress continues on our NorthStar initiative, including completion of a major step in the academic program review (task force report and a form to provide feedback about the findings), launch of a voluntary separation policy and formation of the Retention Plan Steering Committee. Check the NorthStar website for updates and information.

Federal Updates

UIS, in partnership with colleagues across the U of I System, continues to monitor the rapidly shifting federal landscape. On Friday, we learned the National Institutes of Health will limit indirect cost recovery to 15% across the board for existing and new grants. UIS currently does not have any NIH grants, but we are keeping tabs on all grant applications under development to make sure we are aware of potential implications. 

As a reminder, UIS has established a resource page for students, faculty and staff regarding immigration and undocumented individuals. Review these resources to stay informed on ways to offer support. 

Student-Athlete Recognition

Join me for the men’s and women’s basketball games Feb. 13 at TRAC at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. respectively. Student-athletes with a GPA of 3.4 or higher will be recognized during halftime of the men’s game. The senior athletes have selected a UIS faculty or staff member who has influenced them, and they will be introduced alongside the students. Admission is free for employees, and additional details are available on Orbit.

Non-Tenure Track Contract Negotiations

Updates regarding contract negotiations between the University and Non-Tenure Track Faculty Union are being posted regularly to the Human Resources' Employee Relations bargaining page. To date, the two parties have met 16 times, including five times with a federal mediator. 

Save the Date: Employee Information Session

Join us for the Spring Employee Information Session at 3:30 p.m. March 4 in Brookens Auditorium to hear about NorthStar updates and other topics from leaders. 

Welcome to Drew Schlosser

Please join me in welcoming Drew Schlosser as the new assistant vice chancellor for Human Resources at UIS. Schlosser brings over a decade of experience in higher education HR from UIUC, specializing in labor and employee relations. Learn more on the UIS Newsroom. 

Library Commons Update

Bids for the new Library Commons building opened on Feb. 4 and the bids received were favorable and competitive. The next steps will be for the Capital Development Board, which is managing this state-funded project, to review the bids and make recommendations. Then, contracts will be finalized, hopefully by May 1. 

ECCE Event Next Week

Moises Salazar Tlatenchi will share projects that explore the intersections of queer and immigrant identities within the Latinx community at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 in Brookens Auditorium. Tlatenchi’s artwork will be featured in the UIS Visual Arts Gallery with an exhibition reception for “Hijx De Viboras Doradas” immediately following the lecture. The event is free and open to the public.

Faculty and Staff Campaign Kickoff – 25th Anniversary

The Faculty & Staff Campaign kickoff event will be held from noon to 1:15 p.m. March 6 in the Student Union. Stop by for lunch, connect with colleagues, pick up swag and be inspired to give. Event details are available on Orbit.

Policy Updates and Reminders

• New Policy for Review- Use of Digital Assets: Review and fill out a comment form.
• Admissions Policy: Only authorized individuals may discuss applications, and unauthorized influence is prohibited. Violations should be reported and may result in disciplinary action. 
• Alcohol and Drug Prevention Policy: Cannabis possession, use or distribution is prohibited on university property or at university activities, even for medical use. Alcohol is also restricted, with underage consumption banned and limited allowances for those 21 and older. 
• Protection of Minors: Any department hosting an event involving minors (under 18) must ensure all adults pass a criminal background and sex offender registry check, unless a valid check has been completed within the past two years and is on file with Human Resources. Departments must also complete a planning checklist and submit an event form to Human Resources for approval at least 30 days before the event.

Commencement Information

An email was sent to students on Feb. 4 with information about graduation ceremonies, including times and dates, the need to fill out a graduation application and an intent to participate form and ordering regalia. More details are available on the Commencement website.

Change in ITS Client Services Hours

ITS Client Services, located in the lower level of Brookens Library, is open for walk-in visits beginning at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. Phone, chat, email support, and in-person appointments are available beginning at 8 a.m. Contact ITS Client Services via Orbit.

Innovate Springfield Events

Innovate Springfield will host events Feb. 11 and 13 featuring Paul Magelli, a serial entrepreneur, investor and director of Illini Angels at Illinois Ventures. Magelli will share his extensive experience in entrepreneurship, investment strategies and business growth. Register today on Orbit.

Web Editor Training

The next web editor training will be 1-2 p.m. Feb. 18 on Zoom. Sign up today on Orbit.

Department Newsletters

Read the Academic Affairs January-February newsletter for an enrollment update, the introduction of two new hires in the Provost’s Office, a reminder about the University of Illinois System’s sales and use tax exemption for official purchases, and the launch of a new training dashboard page on the Business and Finance website featuring key resources for employees. 

The Human Resources February newsletter includes information on the upcoming Technology Tips & Tricks session on Feb. 26, and the continuation of Wellness Wednesday sessions on Feb. 26.

Information that Bears Repeating

Donor Scholarship Distribution

The timeline for awarding donor-funded scholarships will be reduced from approximately four months to two months at most, which will greatly help students—particularly incoming students—affirm their choice to attend UIS. Representatives from the divisions of Advancement and Enrollment and Retention Management will be sharing more details with academic programs.  

Acting Title IX Coordinator

Donald Kamm is serving as Acting Title IX Coordinator while we conduct a search for our next AEO leader, which is anticipated to be complete later this spring. He can be reached at titleix@uis.edu.  

Good as Gold: Springfield Volunteer Awards

Submit your nominations to recognize the achievements of local volunteers and nonprofits. Nominations are due Feb. 14, and the ceremony will be April 21. 

Celebrating Our Star Power

Building Service Foreman John "Jack" Stege was named the 2024 Employee of the Year. He was honored during a reception on Jan. 30 in the UIS Student Union. “He takes a lot of pride in his work and truly cares about the people he serves," said Pattie Meyer, his supervisor. "He continually asks employees and staff what he can do to help in any way to improve the area and is always willing to do more.” Read more on Orbit.

Congrats to Daniel Aguilar, Diversity Center, Jessie Burrell, Office of Marketing and Brand Strategy, and Kathryn Kleeman, Office of Admission, for being selected to represent UIS in the 2025 Professional Staff Leadership Academy. PSLA is designed to foster a culture of dynamic and transformational leadership for academic professional and professional civil service staff throughout the University of Illinois System.

Getting to Know You

Take care,

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, Ph.D.

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield

P.S. If you have a topic you’d like me to consider for my newsletter, submit your idea here. I love to highlight your news, events and accolades.