3.4.24

Happy Monday, UIS!

Thank you to everyone who attended Friday's Rise Professional Development Retreat and to the committee members who spent months planning a wonderful event. There were so many good sessions that it was hard to choose just two, and our UIS alumna and keynote speaker, Tess Fyalka, was engaging, entertaining and enlightening. I hope you get together with your teams soon to discuss how you can implement some of the takeaways. Reminder: There’s a facilitation guide on the Rise website to help shape your discussion.

New Information

Exercise Your Right to Vote

The 2024 Primary Election is Tuesday, March 19. Are you ready? Contact the Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center for assistance with registration, applying for a vote-by-mail ballot, or any other questions you may have to be Vote Ready!

Important dates:

• March 6: On-campus EARLY VOTING begins. Visit UISConnection for additional information.
• March 14: Last day to APPLY BY MAIL for a vote-by-mail ballot.
• March 18: Last day for EARLY VOTING at the Office of Election Authority.
• March 19: Primary Election Day!

Commencement Participation and Regalia for Faculty

The 53rd annual UIS Commencement ceremonies will be held Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, in Sangamon Auditorium. ALL faculty members need to indicate via the Faculty Participation and Regalia form whether or not they will be participating in commencement and (if appropriate) to order regalia by March 8.

Commencement Student Speaker Application Form

For students who plan to participate in this year’s Commencement ceremonies and are interested in serving as a commencement speaker, the online Student Speaker Application form is live and must be completed by March 22.

CAPE / CARE Awards Ceremony

Thank you to everyone who nominated colleagues for this important recognition. We’ll celebrate the nominees and winners from 10 a.m. to noon March 21 in the Student Union Ballroom. Questions? Contact Jamie Weber, CARE Committee Chair.

UIS Application Fee Waiver

For Fall 2024, we are waiving the $50 application fee for students from Lincoln Land Community College, Richland Community College and Illinois Central Community College to decrease barriers for regional transfer students.

AI Bias Discussion

The UIS AI Campus Learning Community and the Center for Faculty Excellence will host an event on artificial intelligence (AI) bias from noon to 1 p.m. March 7. This event will bring together a panel of experts to examine the practical and ethical implications of AI bias. The event has reached capacity for in-person attendance, but you may still participate via Zoom.

New Art Exhibit

The Visual Arts Gallery's latest exhibition is “Junk Drawer,” an exhibition by Champaign-based artist Guen Montgomery. “Junk Drawer” will open Monday, March 18, and run through Thursday, April 11.

Spring Accelerated Courses

Please encourage students who would benefit from signing up for a Spring 2024 accelerated class. Courses run from March 18 to May 4.

Information that Bears Repeating

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 telescopes.

FAFSA Update

The Office of Financial Aid continues to assist students with questions related to completing their FAFSA. Remember, we are frequently updating our FAFSA Simplification website as new information becomes available.

Celebrating Our Star Power

The School of Education has been awarded a $145,000 grant from Grow Your Own Teachers to develop a consortium aimed at addressing teacher shortages in central Illinois.

Enjoy this taste of spring as we kick off another productive week!

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD
Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield