1.9.23

Happy New Year, UIS!

I hope each of you had a relaxing and healthy winter break and are feeling revived for an exciting spring semester. We have a very busy few months ahead of us as we work to fill key administration positions, host the February investiture and the March Board of Trustees meeting, plan for 2023 Commencement and more — all while juggling the usual course of business of teaching and supporting our amazing students!

New Information

Welcome, Interim Provost Delene!

I hope you saw my announcement on Friday that we have selected an interim provost. Dr. Linda M. Delene joins us today in a designate capacity until her expected full approval by the Board of Trustees at its Jan. 26 meeting. You can read more about Interim Provost Delene’s depth and breadth of experience on the UIS Newsroom website.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their suggestions for the priorities on which the interim provost should focus. I have collected and reviewed your feedback and will be sharing this information with Provost Delene. The primary themes among the suggestions included building faculty morale, increasing transparency, using shared governance to the fullest extent possible, recruiting/retaining underrepresented minority faculty, supporting DEI work, continuing curriculum revitalization and developing next-level and emerging leaders.

Illinois House of Representatives Inauguration is Jan. 11

UIS will host the Illinois House of Representatives Inauguration ceremony this Wednesday, Jan. 11, in the Sangamon Auditorium. To accommodate the increased number of guests for this important event, parking lots C-South, C-North, D, E and the PAC teardrop will be closed. Additionally, SMTD bus service will not be provided in the PAC teardrop and will be reduced to service only at the bus shelter next to Founders Residence Hall from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day.

Meeting Room Self-Scheduling

Our Facilities Scheduling team has launched a self-scheduling tool on its website. If you are looking for a small room for a meeting, there are several that can be scheduled via the tool that can accommodate up to 14 people. To launch the tool, select “I am an Employee at UIS” on the self-scheduling website.

Information that Bears Repeating

Executive Searches

The searches for our vice chancellor and dean openings continue to move forward. Search firm WittKiefer is partnering with UIS for all five positions. Here is a quick snapshot of each search:

• Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Provost: The search committee is forming, and we are fully engaged with WittKiefer to dive into a comprehensive national search this month. Search committee chair is Dr. Vickie Cook.
• Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs: The job opening is posted, and application materials are due by Jan. 25. Search committee chair is Dr. Vickie Cook.
• Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration: The job opening recently posted, and application materials are being accepted. Search committee chair is Dr. Jeff Lorber.  
• Dean of the College of Health, Science and Technology: The job opening has been posted since November, and application materials are being accepted. Search committee chair is Dr. Frances Chen.
• Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences: The job opening is posted, and application materials are due by Feb. 17. Search committee chair is Dr. Devin Hunter.

Our goal is to have all positions filled by July 1.

Spring COVID-19 Approach

Last week, we announced changes to our COVID-19 approach for the spring semester. Vaccinations and testing are no longer required; however, both continue to be valuable tools to prevent serious illness and transmission. Please be sure to read both President Killeen’s announcement and my follow-up message so you fully understand our Spring 2023 approach.  

Investiture Reminder

Please watch your email for upcoming information about the Feb. 8 Chancellor Investiture, which will take place in Sangamon Auditorium.

Listening Sessions

For the remainder of the academic year, I will be hosting listening sessions for any faculty or staff member who wants to share their thoughts about our university climate and culture. Please complete this online form to express your interest in participating in a listening session. A member of the Chancellor’s Office will work to schedule you prior to May.

Orbit Reminder

Don’t forget to check out Orbit, the new web hub for all things employee-related at UIS. 

Celebrating our Star Power

Ann Comerford, interim vice chancellor for student affairs, has been elected president-elect of ACUI, formerly known as the Association of College Unions International. She will spend a year in the president-elect role observing closely all phases of ACUI's activities in preparation for assuming the presidency in March 2024.

Ashley Hall, director of the Student Union, was named Employee of the Month for December 2022. Her nominator praised her for covering the workload of multiple vacant positions within the Student Union staff for more than a year and learning new skills to make sure work was completed.

UIS Police Chief Ross Owens recently graduated as a member of the 284th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in December. Chief Owens is the second officer in department history to complete this prestigious program. Nationally, fewer than 1 percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

Speaking of Star Power, I hope you noticed our social media post in late December celebrating Seven STAR Successes of 2022. What a great way to look back at a few of the many moments we celebrated at UIS last year! I know our 2023 list will be just as great.

I’m ready for an amazing new year together supporting our students, and hope you are, too!

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield