Publish Date

3.20.23

Good afternoon, colleagues:

I hope everyone enjoyed a slower pace during last week’s spring recess and is ready to welcome back our students for the remaining eight weeks of the semester. I’ve spent much of my time over the past week talking with members of the UIS community about the challenging situation some of our students are navigating from strained interactions involving members of the LatinX community and the Student Government Association. We will continue to listen and respond to this concerning issue through the appropriate university channels and are planning to apply some restorative practices with the assistance of external expertise. Below are some resources to which you may want to consider connecting students if they reach out:

This is a challenging situation to navigate, but I know we all have our students’ best interest in mind. I appreciate your support.

New Information

UIS Wellness

All employees should have received an email last week about a new wellness program offered in partnership with the U of I System Office Wellness Committee. This program includes wellness campaigns, quarterly newsletters, on-demand video resources and more to support your well-being. The Spring 2023 wellness campaign, UI Stride Spring into Motion, begins April 3. Be sure to stop by the UIS Health and Wellness Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 on the Quad to learn more about UIS Wellness.

Reinventing Possible

Our Marketing team, together with several university partners, launched a successful brand campaign, Reinventing Possible, in late fall to promote our reinvigorated academic offerings. Perhaps you have seen our billboards, downtown banners or digital ads over the past few months. The campaign is being well received, including this promotional video. Though final analytics are not yet tallied, the campaign has elevated our university’s visibility and supported our enrollment goals.  

ChatGPT at UIS

Since the end of January, UIS has held a series of discussions on conversational, generative artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT. The ongoing series has included attendees from more than 13 other colleges and universities. We have discussed various topics of interest to faculty and staff with a primary focus on how to train students in the use of ChatGPT as a tool to become more effective in their work, rather than as a solution to avoid learning. Of primary importance is talking with students in each course about expectations for ethical use of this technology and under what circumstances it would constitute academic dishonesty. Like any tool, generative AI is not inherently good or bad, but we must consider thoughtfully what tasks are appropriate for its use.

Information that Bears Repeating

Executive Searches 

Our search committees have been very busy with their efforts to find talented and qualified finalists for our open administrative positions.

  • Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Provost: Applications are being accepted through March 24. Dr. Vickie Cook and Dr. Ty Dooley are co-chairing the search.
  • Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs: Finalist interviews wrapped up last week. Search committee chair is Dr. Vickie Cook.
  • Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration: Finalist interviews began last week, and we have two candidates on campus today and tomorrow. Search committee chair is Dr. Jeff Lorber.  
  • Dean of the College of Health, Science and Technology: Finalists are expected to be on campus the week of April 3. Search committee chair is Dr. Frances Chen.
  • Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences: Finalist interviews are expected to occur in mid-April. Search committee chair is Dr. Devin Hunter.

Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme is “Stronger Together.” Tonight, I am hosting a women’s leadership reception from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union for students to hear from women of achievement in our community. Other programming is listed on the Women’s History Month website.

Annual Title IX Training 

Faculty and Staff Title IX training is due by 5 p.m. March 31. Anyone who does not complete the course in its entirety will be considered noncompliant and disciplined in accordance with established policies and procedures. Access the training here: go.uillinois.edu/sexual_misconduct_training. 

Spring Accelerated Courses
There’s still time for students to register for accelerated classes, which begin today. Please encourage students who would benefit to sign up or learn more: uis.edu/accelerated  

Cybersecurity Training
The latest cybersecurity training is due March 31. Access it here.

HR Programs
Save the date for these upcoming HR events:

  • April 27: Take Your Child to Work Day
  • April 28: Annual Retirement and Recognition Ceremony, 9-10:30 a.m.
  • May 15: End of Academic Year Party for employees, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

‘The Art of Un-War’
UIS and the Springfield Art Association are presenting “Krzysztof Wodiczko: The Art of Un-War,” a film screening and Q&A with Krzysztof Wodiczko and award-winning filmmaker and artist Maria Niro, at 7 p.m. March 28 in Brookens Auditorium. More information is at our online newsroom.

Celebrating our Star Power

On March 8, UIS hosted a series of autism workshops presented by Mr. Taylor Sweeting, an expert in the field of autism. One workshop in the series was for staff, one for faculty, and one for students and community members. Each of the workshops focused on supporting neurodiverse students, colleagues and peers. Everyone who attend expressed how grateful they were for the opportunity to engage with an expert in the field of autism. Thank you to Shelby Bedford, Jantzen Eddington and Layne Morsch for their work to offer this programming. We hope to repeat the workshop again in the future. 

Have a great week,

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield

News Categories
chancellor