1.22.24

Happy Monday, UIS!

And what a Monday it is. Due to icy conditions, in-person classes have been canceled today, and the Liberal Leave Policy is in effect. Many employees are working remotely today, so please check with departments ahead of time before planning to visit in person. Please note that Food Service is in operation today but may have limited options. 

My sincere thanks to the employees who are working hard to keep campus warm and safe today. 

New Information

Tuition Freeze

Last week, the UI Board of Trustees approved tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year, freezing the cost of tuition at UIS. Our undergraduate tuition rate has remained unchanged since 2018, even during periods of high inflation and despite significant additional expenses incurred during the global pandemic. Read more: UIS Newsroom.

Rise Events

• New Employee Development series kickoff: Vice Chancellor for Enrollment & Retention Management Vickie Cook will present, “The Future of Higher Education and the Impact of the Demographic Cliff,” from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday in Brookens Auditorium. Please clear this time with your supervisor before registering.
• Spring Rise Professional Development Retreat: Following the success of our fall retreat, we are planning a March 1 professional development retreat for all faculty and staff. More details, including registration information, will be forthcoming, but please mark your calendars.

Online Form W-2, Form 1042-S and Form 1095-C Now Available

If you consented to receive your tax form(s) electronically by the Jan. 15 deadline, the forms that are issued to you by the University of Illinois are available. You can learn more about accessing these tax forms here. 

Access and Equity Office Resources

Each semester, the Access and Equity Office connects with employees to support your well-being, safety, and success at UIS as it relates to your civil and human rights, as well as our institutional commitment to equity and inclusion. As we begin a new semester, I encourage you to read the Access and Equity Office’s latest announcement about your rights, updates happening with the unit and information about required and optional training for employees.

Admissions Firewall

Please familiarize yourself with university policies regarding admissions confidentiality and third-party inquiries, which apply to many of us, even if we don’t work full time in the Office of Admission. Read more on Orbit. 

Faculty and Staff Campaign: Save the Date

The 2024 Faculty and Staff Campaign kicks off from noon to 1:15 p.m. Feb. 29 in the Student Union Ballroom. Units interested in being a part of this year’s campaign can visit Orbit to learn about registering their table for the kickoff event and/or participating in crowdfunding. 

Improving Customer Service

The Chancellor’s Cabinet has appointed a Customer Service Improvement Committee to address concerns, continue to improve our customer service experience, and offer more recognition for our staff members who enhance the workplace and our interactions with students and external partners. We recognize the need for a unified customer service philosophy and are committed to making improvements that will promote and encourage a positive workplace where everyone has the tools they need to provide excellent customer service. 

2024 UI System Pocket Facts 

The 2024 edition of Pocket Facts, a useful resource for recent data and highlights from across the UI System, is now available online. 

New Sangamon Experience Exhibit

“The Struggle for Change,” an exhibit by UIS’ Sangamon Experience, opened Jan. 12 on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center, and tells the history of underrepresented people in central Illinois. The exhibition will run through Sept. 6. Learn more: UIS Newsroom.

Information that Bears Repeating

Study Away Scholarships

If you know students interested in a short-term, faculty-led summer Study Away experience, please encourage them to apply for a scholarship by Feb. 5 to help cover the costs of international travel.

Exploring Graduate School: Jan. 29-Feb. 2

Thank you to all faculty and staff participating in our virtual Exploring Graduate School events this semester! Please encourage undergraduate students to sign up for webinars to learn about graduate education at UIS.

Paid Leave for All Workers Act

The Paid Leave for All Workers Act provides up to 40 hours of paid leave per year to employees who do not currently receive vacation leave. Read how the Paid Leave for All Workers Act affects UIS employees here.

New Bursar Location

The University Bursar has moved to UHB 1001. Updates about the latest facility transformations are on Orbit.

Celebrating our Star Power

UIS Assistant Professor of Computer Science Xiang Huang has been selected as one of the recipients in a joint research initiative with National Taiwan University (NTU). 

We look forward to celebrating some outstanding people at the Employee of the Year celebration on Thursday. Thank you to the 2023 Employees of the Month for all you do at UIS: Jill Ralph, Trish Schlobohm, Michele Sapp, Shannon Smith, Laura Hecht, Ardis Livingston, Aaron Stewart, Carol Marshall, Patty Meyer, Lisa Bowen and Zach Logsdon.

Have a wonderful week,

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield