12.13.21
Dear Colleagues,
This is our last newsletter for 2021! Winter break has arrived like a much-welcomed friend – a needed break to refocus our minds and thoughts as we head into a happier and healthier New Year.
New Information
Booster Shots Encouraged
The UI System is strongly encouraging all eligible employees and students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster to protect you and our campus. We will announce details soon about how to upload your booster record to the patient portal.
SHIELD Holiday Testing Hours
During winter break, the testing site will operate under modified hours.
- Dec. 13-16: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Dec. 20-21: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Dec. 22-Jan. 4: Closed
- Jan. 5-6: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Jan. 10: Normal operating hours resume
Weekly “re-entry” testing is being considered for all on-ground students and employees, regardless of vaccination status, at the beginning of next semester. Please watch for additional communication. We are closely watching local COVID transmission numbers and may add other mitigations to ensure that we can have the campus experience this spring that our students and employees most want.
Chancellor Search
Exciting news! The search website for the next UIS Chancellor is live, and applications are being accepted through Feb. 1. Questions or comments regarding the search may be directed to UISchancellorsearch@uillinois.edu.
Faculty Awards
Nominations are being accepted for seven new faculty awards to recognize the contributions of UIS full-time and adjunct faculty. Information on award guidelines can be found on the Faculty Awards & Honors webpage. The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 1.
Grad Week 2022: Feb. 7-11
I highly encourage all graduate program leaders to select a date and time to present a 20- to 30-minute live webinar about the strengths and highlights of your program and notify Cecilia Cornell by Jan. 12. Grad Week is a great opportunity to showcase the excellent graduate programs on our campus, and it’s never too early to plant that seed with your undergraduate students, too. Please help us share this information with the students in your courses when classes begin in January.
Winter Break Hours
The Student Union, Food Studio and TRAC will operate under modified hours over the winter break. Please check unit websites or Facebook pages for the most accurate information.
UIS 2022 calendars
The 2022 UIS calendars are available. Order forms and instructions can be found here.
Parking App
UIS Parking Operations has a new way for visitors to pay for parking: the ParkSmarter App. It sends reminders before parking expires and provides the ability to extend time directly from a mobile device. The app is available on both Apple and Android. Visitors still have the option of using the pay stations in lots. More details can also be found in the latest Facilities Newsletter.
Naming the New Library Building
The Student Government Association recently spent time tabling in the Student Union to talk with the campus community about naming the library and student success center that is currently in the design phase. An important piece of planning is identifying a name for the building that speaks to the mission of the space and connects with students as the primary users. Thanks to the multidisciplinary committee and SGA for their ongoing work.
Information that Bears Repeating
Reminder: Jan. 5 Vaccination Deadline
All UIS employees working on-site for the Spring 2022 semester must be fully vaccinated by Jan. 5 unless you have an approved extension or exemption. For details regarding the employee vaccination policy, exemptions and deadlines, please visit the UIS United in Safety website.
ICYMI: Watch On-Demand Webinars about UIS Finances
Hopefully you were able to join one or both informational sessions on the university’s deficit reduction plan and the UIS funding formula. If not, you can watch them on demand at uis.edu/chancellor.
Gift Days
As a reminder, President Killeen is granting leave-benefit-eligible employees three gift days on Dec. 29, 30 and 31, and an additional gift day on Jan. 4 to complement the FY 2022 Holiday Schedule.
Celebrating our Star Power
Winter Accelerated Courses
A huge shout out to faculty members who are teaching our 20 accelerated courses this winter break and to the staff who are supporting them. There are 337 students enrolled, which is more than the number enrolled for winter session 2020. Those courses are a shining example of UIS meeting the academic needs of students and growing enrollment.
As we look ahead to 2022, great things are on our horizon, including a new chancellor this summer. For now, it’s time to rest and recharge. Wishing you a safe and peaceful holiday season and new year.
Karen
Karen M. Whitney, PhD
Interim Chancellor University of Illinois Springfield