11.11.24

Happy Veterans Day to the individuals in our campus community who have served our country. We appreciate your sacrifices for the wellbeing of our freedom. Thank you to everyone who helped mark this important day by tying yellow ribbons on the trees around campus and for attending today's flag-raising ceremony and reception.

It’s been a heavy time for many as we navigated the divisiveness of a campaign season. Provost Schwab delivered an important sentiment in his remarks on Friday at Campus Senate, and I would like to underscore his message. While there is much uncertainty ahead of us in higher education and in our communities, we have a common focus: to help our students reach their goals. If we ground ourselves in that mission, I’m confident we can all move forward with purpose, together. 

In that vein, join me to shine some light on one another and our students, literally and figurately, at the 10th annual Lighting of the Colonnade on Friday. Cookies and cocoa will be served at 5:15 p.m., followed by the lighting at 5:30. I would love to see you there, but if you can't attend in person, please join us on Zoom. It is one of my favorite UIS traditions, and a wonderful event that brings people together. 

New Information

Mandated Reporter Training

All employees are required to complete mandated reporter training. Look for an email from System Human Resource Services today with instructions. Learn more on Orbit.

Sexual Misconduct Survey Results

In April, UIS conducted its first survey on student experiences with sex-based misconduct. The survey results are available on the Access & Equity website. It is essential that we reflect on the findings, evaluate resources and processes for prevention planning, implement targeted interventions, and commit to long-term monitoring and evaluation of all prevention and awareness programs. If you have questions about the survey or results, please contact aeo@uis.edu.

November Newsletters

The November Academic Affairs Newsletter includes information on items such as the Provost's Open Office Hours, a course survey update, faculty award nominations and HLC Quality Initiative focus groups. The November Human Resources Newsletter includes a save-the-date for a Holiday Happy Hour, gift ban reminder, year-end payroll and benefits deadlines, and follow-ups about the System Mental Health Symposium and the Know Your U trip to Emiquon.

Read the full Academic Affairs Newsletter | Read the full HR Newsletter

Barrier to Access Form

UIS is committed to providing accessible educational and employment environments. Community members are encouraged to report barriers to access related to disability, pregnancy, or religious beliefs by filling out a Barrier to Access Form. Staff will respond and keep relevant parties updated on any progress. 

Introducing Prairie Star Family Connect

Student Affairs is rolling out Prairie Star Family Connect, a new portal to keep families of students connected and informed. They receive timely updates and important information to support their student’s success. Encourage any family members of prospective or current students to sign up today!

Winter Accelerated Courses

Winter intersession classes begin Dec. 16. If you know students who would benefit, please encourage them to register. More information is available at uis.edu/accelerated.

Gallery Silent Auction

The annual UIS Visual Arts Gallery auction and benefit runs from today through Dec. 5 and features a diverse collection of art donated by artists and community supporters. Proceeds support gallery programming. Learn more on Orbit.

Upcoming Events

• The Exploring Graduate School fair is today. Please encourage undergraduate students to attend and learn more about continuing their education at UIS.
• The School of Politics and International Affairs will host a post-election panel discussion titled, “The Election is Over. Now What,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in the Student Union Ballroom. Panelists include professors Matthew Geras, Isabel Skinner and Jason Pierceson. The event will be hosted by Jason Piscia, director of the UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program, and moderated by Jennifer Fuller from Capitol News Illinois.
• The Visual Arts Gallery is showcasing "A More Perfect Union" by John Early, open through Nov. 14.
• The next Employee Development Series event, “Violence Prevention & De-Escalation Training” with Capt. Justin Emmons, will be 9-11 a.m. Nov. 20 in the Student Union Ballroom. Please register here. 
• Pickleball was so popular with UIS employees that an additional session has been added 5-7 p.m. Nov. 21. For more play times, see Campus Announcements. 
• Bwayisak Tanko, a master’s student in the School of Communication and Media, will premiere his documentary film, “Accents and Acceptance,” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 in Brookens Auditorium.
• Student Affairs and Advancement will be hosting the Summer/December Graduate celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 9 in the pre-function area outside of the Student Union Ballroom.

Information that Bears Repeating

Access and Equity Office Reminder

While we search for new leadership in this important area, we will be partnering with U of I System HR in the System Offices for AEO services and Title IX investigations. If you need support services provided by AEO, including Title IX services, call 217-206-6222 or email aeo@uis.edu. Title IX concerns should be directed to 217-206-9999 and titleix@uis.edu.  

Promising Prairie Star Recognition Program

The Promising Prairie Star Recognition Program honors successful UIS alumni who are under the age of 40 or have graduated within the past five years. Nominations for the inaugural class are being accepted through Nov. 15 on Orbit.

SECA Ends Wednesday

SECA is still accepting donations through Nov. 13. Read more about SECA on Orbit.

Proposal Submission for International SRI Congress 

The Sustainability Research + Innovation Congress invites you to submit session proposals by Dec. 7 around the challenges, solutions and questions to create a more sustainable future. The annual event is co-presented by the U of I System in Chicago June 16-19, 2025, and will be the first time the event has been held in North America.

Celebrating Our Star Power

Congratulations to Clay Stalter, senior photographer, for winning first place in the 2024 October Monthly Image Competition from the University Photographers’ Association of America. See his winning photo of University Scholar Heather Bailey, professor of history, here.

The UIS community collected 9,074 pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank during the annual Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods event. Additionally, the UIS Cox Children’s Center collected 944 pounds of food for the UIS Cares Food Pantry, supporting students facing food insecurity. Read more. 

Yona Stamatis, associate professor of ethnomusicology, is featured in “Music of Hope,” a short-form video that won a Mid-America Emmy Award this year. Produced by Julie Staley, a UIS doctoral student and CEO of Spencer Films, it tells the story of Jewish musicians whose instruments were taken during the Holocaust, inspired by Stamatis’ own family’s history. Read more. 

Michele Gribbins, associate provost for institutional research and effectiveness, has been selected as an Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Fellow in recognition of her exemplary contributions to research and professional development in the field of online learning.

Getting to Know You

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Let's have a great week,

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.