5.1.23

Good morning,

We have made it to May! Very soon, we will be celebrating the achievements of our wonderful graduates during our May 13 commencement ceremony. I hope everyone enjoys these next two weeks as we recognize and honor our students’ hard work, while juggling our busy end-of-semester responsibilities.

Last week, I attended the Listening Circle and Action Planning Session with restorative practices expert Kevin Jones. Thank you to the faculty, staff and students who participated in these sessions. I am reviewing the notes from each session and will follow up with next steps soon. This week, I look forward to meeting our two remaining VCAA/Provost finalists and attending some end-of-year award ceremonies.

New Information

Information Session on UIS Budget Appropriation

Next Friday, May 12, from 3 to 4 p.m., I am hosting an information session in the Studio Theatre and by Zoom for faculty and staff who want to learn more about the appropriation process for our university’s budget. Paul Ellinger, vice president/chief financial officer and comptroller of the University of Illinois System, will be our featured presenter. The Zoom link is https://uis.zoom.us/j/84434731768?pwd=S3dTYlJkdlRkNCtRV1VOS0xUN2lNUT09.

Reception for Raymond Schroeder

I will be hosting a reception for Raymond Schroeder, the 2023 recipient of the U of I Honorary Degree of Humane Letters. Ray is a UIS professor emeritus and served as associate vice chancellor for online learning for eight years and director of COLRS for 16 years. Please RSVP by May 5 to COMMUNITYRELATIONS@uis.edu.

Cybersecurity Training due June 30.

You may now access new cybersecurity training. Note that this training is different from any previous training that you may have done and is due by June 30.

December/January Gift Days

President Killeen has announced gift days for the December/January holiday season. The year-end break will occur Dec. 22-Jan. 1. Full details are on Orbit.

Open Enrollment

The Fiscal Year 2024 Benefit Choice enrollment period begins today and will end May 31. Read more on Orbit.

Information that Bears Repeating

Executive Search Updates 

• Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Provost: Our first finalist was on campus last week, and our two other finalists are here this week. Dr. Vickie Cook and Dr. Ty Dooley are co-chairing the search.
• Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs: We expect to make an announcement soon. Search committee chair is Dr. Vickie Cook.
• Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration: We expect to make an announcement soon. Search committee chair is Dr. Jeff Lorber.  
• Dean of the College of Health, Science and Technology: We expect to make an announcement soon. Search committee chair is Dr. Frances Shen.
• Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences: We expect to make an announcement soon. Search committee chair is Dr. Devin Hunter.

Annual Evaluation Season

The Annual Evaluation Process for Academic Professional and Civil Service employees began April 1. Evaluations are due to Human Resources by June 2. An updated electronic version of the evaluation form is available. More information on the annual evaluation process can be found on the Human Resources website.

End-of-Year Party

Save the date for May 15 for our End of Academic Year Party for employees from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Student Union North Patio.

Summer at UIS

Registration is open for summer classes, which begin June 5. UIS offers two terms of affordable summer classes to help both current students and those from other colleges or universities meet their goals. Upper-level and general education courses are available to fit busy schedules. Reduced fees this year make it more affordable than ever, so please spread the news! Learn more: uis.edu/summer

Commencement Volunteers Needed

The UIS Commencement ceremony is May 13 at the Bank of Springfield Center. We are expecting approximately 700 graduates to join us for this special day. Please consider signing up to volunteer.

Rave Guardian App

UIS offers the Rave Guardian safety app, which you can install on your cellphone. Guardian allows any user with a smartphone to activate a “panic button” that will immediately alert police to a problem and open communications between the user and Campus Police. This connection provides a GPS location (if active on your phone) for the Campus Police to aid in locating the user. Additionally, Guardian has a precautionary timer that acts as a digital alternative to a campus walking escort. Users can set the estimated time needed to walk to a destination; if that time expires and the user has not canceled the timer, Campus Police will call to ensure that the user is safe.

Celebrating our Star Power

Michele Sapp was named the UIS Employee of the Month for April 2023. She is a business manager for the Center for State Policy and Leadership Office of the Executive Director. Congratulations!

Our public affairs graduate degrees have been ranked among the top 25 percent of best programs in the country in 2023-2024 U.S. News Best Graduate Programs rankings released last week. Read more on the UIS Newsroom.

Congratulations to several UIS faculty members for being honored at the annual Faculty Honors Reception. Your achievements make us proud!

Have a great week,

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield