3.24.25

Happy Monday, UIS—

Thank you to everyone who welcomed our Board of Trustees to campus last week. During the meeting, the BOT approved the expansion of our in-state tuition program to select counties in northern Indiana and expanded our footprint in Iowa and Missouri. On-campus undergraduate students from these areas will see a nearly 50% reduction in tuition. We expect to boost enrollment and strengthen our presence in the region through this initiative.

New Information

VCFA Search Update

Applications are open for our Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration search. Thank you to the following individuals for serving on the search committee: Sarah Sagmoen, Holly Thompson, Serkan Karadas, Brandon Derman, Beverly Bunch, Travis Bland, Jorge Villegas, Jamarco Clark (chair), Laci Engelbrecht, Nicole Hager, Gary Anderson, Aaron Stewart, Samuel Moore and Brent Rasmus.

Chester Fund Proposals

It is time to collect ideas for project proposals for the Chester Fund. This is an endowed fund provided to the University of Illinois to be used for the purchase of items or commodities that will add to the attractiveness of the University to visitors, such as rare books, works of art and museum items/pieces. Successfully funded prior projects at UIS include: the welcome mural in Enrollment Management; artwork for the new Library Commons; interior and external artwork for the Student Union; and the Lincoln statue. UIS departments and units are encouraged to submit proposals for Chester funds to support the purchase of qualifying artwork or items no later than 5 p.m. April 11.

Springfest Volunteers

I highly encourage you to sign up on Orbit by April 15 to judge or volunteer for Springfest, happening April 21-26. It is a great opportunity to see students outside the classroom showcasing university spirit. 

Wi-Fi Upgrade

ITS is implementing a campuswide infrastructure refresh to improve Wi-Fi performance. This multi-phase project is expected to be completed by August. More information can be found on Orbit.

Commencement Update

Today is the last day for students to complete the Intent to Participate form for Commencement. All Commencement messages continue to be communicated to students via their UIS email, and the UIS Commencement page is updated frequently. Employees may also sign up through April 11 to volunteer at the ceremonies, which is a great way to see our mission in action. 

Kaplan Access

Since enrollment opened on Feb. 18 for free access to Kaplan’s test prep resources, UIS students have signed up for more than 208 courses, saving more than $190,000. Read more on the UIS Newsroom.

New Associate Vice Chancellor for Development

Please join me in welcoming Wayne Davenport as associate vice chancellor for development, major gifts. He brings nearly two decades of experience in fundraising and advancement. Learn more on the UIS Newsroom.

ECCE Speaker Series Proposals

The Office of Undergraduate Education is accepting ECCE Speaker Series proposals until 5 p.m. April 14 for events during the Fall 2025 semester. Additional information can be found on the ECCE Speaker Series page.

Policy and Compliance Pages

The Office of Web and Digital Strategy has implemented automated notifications for website editors and unit heads regarding policy and compliance pages. If you receive a policy notification, review the policy and make the needed updates per the instructions provided. More information can be found on the Web and Digital Strategy page.

Upcoming Events

• Open Studio Sessions: Staff and faculty may have portraits made from noon to 4:30 p.m. March 25 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26 in BSB 95. Each portrait session will take two to three minutes.
• Chancellor’s Thinker Series: “A Call to Think: On Common Ground,” will be held from 5 to 7:15 p.m. March 27 at the Student Union. 
• Star Party: 8-10 p.m. April 4, weather permitting, at the UIS Campus Observatory on the roof of Brookens Library. 
• Sound Foundations: An Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology: Join me for an Alumni SAGE Society Lunch & Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 9 at Illini Country Club.
• Emiquon Preserve and Therkildsen Field Station Trip: Sign up for a field trip to the field station at the Emiquon Preserve to explore teaching and research opportunities beginning at 8:45 a.m. April 14 or 15. Lunch and transportation are provided.
• Take Your Child to Work Day: Children ages 7-15 are in for a fun-filled day April 24, which will include a residence hall and Esports Arena tour and a slime activity. Registration is required.

Information that Bears Repeating

NTT Union Contract Negotiations

UIS and the UPI Local 4100 Non-Tenure Track Faculty Union (UIS Instructors United) have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a three-year contract. I am grateful to all parties who worked on this inaugural contract for our valued non-tenure track faculty members. More information is available on the Bargaining page.

Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey for Students

An email was sent to students on Feb. 26 asking them to complete the Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey. More details are available on Orbit. 

Bookstore’s New Location 

The UIS Bookstore has temporarily moved to FRH 153 and 154. For more details on this transition, visit Orbit.

2025 Faculty & Staff Campaign

Crowdfunding for the 2025 Faculty & Staff Campaign is still live through March 31. Make a gift today!

Celebrating Our Star Power

Employees were recognized for their outstanding contributions during the Chancellor’s Awards and Staff Appreciation Day. Congratulations to all of the winners, and thank you for your contributions to our students and one another. 

• CAPE Award: Nicole Hager, senior associate athletic director for academics and compliance and senior woman administrator
• CARE Award: Patty Meyer, director of facilities operations
• Nova Award: Taylor Lester, program coordinator for the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service
• Orion Award: Jay Swenson, assistant director of facilities and competitive sports for Campus Recreation
• Polaris Award: Sarah Gibson, associate online advisor for public affairs and administration
• Sirius Award: Yoselin Gonzalez, building service worker

Vanessa Ferguson, Community Voices producer at NPR Illinois, was named the UIS Employee of the Month for March 2025. Her nominator said, “Vanessa is a model employee. She’s personable, attentive and gets the word out about NPR Illinois.” Read more on the UIS Newsroom. 

Yaz Gulnur Muradoglu, professor of finance, was recently featured in The Investor, a practitioners journal for finance professionals, on page 24, describing why she remains optimistic in economic downturns.

Promising Prairie Star Recognition Program
The inaugural class of the Promising Prairie Star Recognition Program has been announced! This program honors outstanding graduates under the age of 40 or graduates within the past five years, regardless of age.

Getting to Know You

Have a great week,

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, Ph.D.

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield

P.S. If you have a topic you’d like me to consider for my newsletter, submit your idea here. I love to highlight your news, events and accolades.