10.16.23

Happy Monday, UIS!

There’s a chill in the air, and I’m ready to celebrate the season by attending the Jack-O-Lantern Spooktacular Event at the Carillon in Washington Park this weekend. My daughter and I are also looking forward to the upcoming International Festival on Saturday. This is the second year we have attended the festival together, and it’s quickly becoming a favorite UIS tradition.

New Information

Strengthening Institutions Partnership Grant

UIS has been awarded a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Education grant to attract and retain more first-generation, low-income and historically marginalized students. The grant will help create new high-impact practices, including learning communities for online students and on-campus juniors and seniors. First-year seminars will also be improved with new shared learning experiences and financial literacy education. Additional collaborative internship opportunities will be offered through internal and external partners, strengthening ties with the regional workforce while supporting student experiential learning. The grant will also support a university-wide plan for professional development addressing student behavioral health and mental health, equity gaps in the classroom and positive student intervention strategies.

SIF Round II ‘Think Tank’ Event

The Chancellor’s Strategic Investment Fund Committee is hosting a “Think Tank” event from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in Founders Residence Hall 154 and via Zoom for those interested in discussing possible proposals for SIF Round II. We encourage you to come to the session with ideas at all stages of development. There will be the opportunity to share ideas, find like-minded colleagues who are interested in similar projects, and/or receive additional ideas that can help you and/or your group propel your idea to the next level. The emphasis on Round II is new program development, including new micro-credentialing programs.

RISE Employee Fall Information Session

Join us 3:30-5 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Student Union Ballroom for important updates from me as well as:

• Dr. Vickie Cook, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment and Retention Management
• Dr. Ken Kriz, Interim Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration

Submit your questions about enrollment, finance/budget, or general inquiries by Oct. 23 to chancellor@uis.edu, or ask during the Q and A portion of the session. Light refreshments will be provided.

Course Articulation and Renumbering

We continue to improve the transfer experience at UIS but need your help. Recently, you may have received an emailing outlining the following two areas in which we need support:

• Increasing the number of course-to-course articulations that count toward specific student degree requirements instead of having transfer credits accepted as electives only, and
• Renumbering UIS upper-division courses that are taught at the lower-division level at most other colleges/universities as lower-division.

With your help, we’ll continue to serve more transfer students in the best way possible. You can read more on Orbit.

Fire Drills

Mandatory fire drills are scheduled for Oct. 26 and Nov. 3. Please review the schedule and your reporting location.

Cybersecurity Training

Quarterly Cybersecurity Training is now available and due by Dec. 21.

UIS Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

The UIS Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is now available. The report includes crime and fire statistics, as well as safety procedures and policies for the campus.

Trunk or Treat for Canned Goods

Cox Children’s Center will be collecting food to support the UIS Cares Food Pantry from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 27 in Parking Lot A. Review the list of current pantry needs, and sign up by Oct. 21.

COVID-19 Guidance

As the weather gets colder, our risk of illness increases, including cold, flu, RSV and COVID-19. Remember to prioritize your health by washing your hands often, avoiding touching your face, and considering getting an updated vaccine. If you do become sick or develop COVID-19-related symptoms, stay home and follow public and medical health guidelines.   

Open Photo Shoot

Open Photo Studio sessions for all staff and faculty are noon to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 24 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25, first come, first served. The studio is in BSB 95.

Information that Bears Repeating

Good Idea Fund Deadline TODAY

Don’t forget to submit your proposal to the Provost’s Office forone-time (non-recurring) funds to support implementation of “good ideas” from UIS staff and faculty that will help make a positive difference for the university.

Annual Ethics Training Due Oct. 31

Please complete your annual ethics training by 5 p.m. Oct. 31 to remain in compliance. The training will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete.

Celebrating our Star Power

Congratulations to October Employee of the Month Patty Meyer, superintendent of building services in Facilities. Her supervisor said, “Patty’s commitment to her colleagues, students, faculty and staff is unparalleled. She goes out of her way to meet their needs and expectations.”

Thank you for continuing to support our students and one another in our important work!

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield