2.19.24

Good morning, UIS!

The snowfall at the end of last week is a good reminder that winter is still with us. Thank you to our Facilities and Services employees, who we rely on in the worst conditions to clear roads, parking lots and sidewalks to help us safely work and learn. We’re only one month away from the first day of spring — not that I’m counting!

New Information

Spring Employee Information Session

As part of our ongoing Rise initiative, we are hosting a Spring Employee Information Session from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Student Union Ballroom. Ken Kriz and Vickie Cook will present about budget and enrollment. I look forward to seeing you all at this important conversation as we continue to work toward achieving our goals.

FAFSA News

We continue to field questions about FAFSA and what the changes and delays mean for prospective and current students. The Office of Financial Aid has created a UIS FAFSA Simplification webpage that will be updated with any new info as it’s available.

Things to know:

• UIS will not observe May 1 National Decision Day this year. There will be flexibility with applicants regarding admission decisions; however, we may publish a decision date at a later time when more information is available.
• The U.S. Department of Education did not update the FAFSA formula with the required inflation-related adjustments but has recently announced it will be making these updates.
• We now expect to begin receiving FAFSA data files sometime in the first half of March. Therefore, our timeline for processing applications and providing aid offers to students is considerably delayed. We will do our very best to provide students with accurate information as soon as we can.
• The UIS Net Price Calculator can help provide prospective students an estimate of their aid. The calculator has been updated with our new scholarship programs and the Prairie Promise and Student Aid Index (SAI) data based on the inflation updates that FSA is making to the formula.

UIS Star Parties

UIS Star Parties will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. March 15 and April 19, weather permitting, at the UIS Campus Observatory on the roof of Brookens Library. Star parties are hosted by John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy-physics, who will provide a look into outer space using the observatory’s telescopes.

State Library OER Grant Opportunity

The State of Illinois appropriated $3 million for authoring, revising/remixing, updating or creating ancillary materials for Open Educational Resource textbooks. The OER grant has a maximum award of $150,000. Applications are due to the Illinois State Library by April 1, and to compile and process the grant at UIS, instructor grant proposals are due March 1. More info is available here.

New Art Exhibition

The UIS Visual Arts Gallery is showcasing a new exhibition through March 7. The exhibition, called “Consider a Disappearance,” was created by Ruby Que, a Chicago-based artist and experimental filmmaker.

myUIS Refresh

myUIS received a refreshed look and functionality, in conjunction with AITS' updates to Self Service/Banner. myUIS is now the go-to desktop resource for all student and faculty information technology resources, including Self Service.

Microsoft Windows 10 End-of-Life

Microsoft announced the end-of-life date for the Windows 10 Operating System as Oct. 14, 2025. After this date, no further updates or security patches will be available for Windows 10. See UIS Information Technology Services’ plan to upgrade to Windows 11.

Information that Bears Repeating

Rise Professional Development Retreat

Thank you to everyone who registered for the spring retreat. We look forward to gathering and learning how we can Redefine Workplace Culture on March 1. Registration confirmations will be sent this week.

Black History Month Events Continue

We still have many opportunities to celebrate Black History Month. Events run through next Thursday, so please review the calendar. Thank you to the Diversity Center for providing these impactful opportunities for our community to learn and grow.

Commencement Back on Campus

Students have received postcards and email communication about Commencement, including the change of location and format. The deadline to submit a graduation application for students who wish to participate in Commencement was Feb. 16. Students have an additional step – submitting an intent to participate form – which will be live on uis.edu/commencement in March.

Technology Tips and Tricks Speed Meet

As part of our HR Employee Development Series, mark your calendars from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 28 in HSB 109 or via Zoom for a Technology Tips and Tricks Speed Meet to learn new technology and tools to help streamline your daily tasks. Drop in for only the sessions you are interested in or stay the entire time.

2024 Faculty & Staff Campaign Kick-Off Celebration

We'll be celebrating this year’s Faculty & Staff Campaign kick-off celebration from noon to 1:15 p.m. on Leap Day, Feb. 29, in the Student Union Ballroom. Enjoy goodies, free lunch and the chance to learn about different areas on campus that could use your support.

Employee AI Survey

Shape the future of artificial intelligence at UIS by participating in an employee AI survey. Your insights will help tailor AI solutions to our university’s unique needs, enhancing our work environment and operations.

Celebrating our Star Power

Jennifer Martin, associate professor in the School of Education, has been selected to receive the Truman L. Kelley Award for Scholarship Excellence from Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), a national educational honor society. The award will be presented during KDP’s first-ever virtual Founders Day Celebration on March 8.

Craig McFarland, College of Public Affairs and Education, Lea Smith, Office of Records and Registration, and Aaron Stewart, Facilities and Services Administration, were selected for the 2024 Professional Staff Leadership Academy. PSLA is designed to foster a culture of dynamic and transformational leadership for academic professional and professional civil service staff throughout the University of Illinois System.

Matthew Sprong, assistant professor in the School of Public Management and Policy, was selected to receive the 2024 SEIGov National Exemplars Recognition Award at the American Society of Public Administration conference this April for exemplar ethics and integrity in public service.

Let’s have a great week!

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield