10.18.21
Dear Colleagues –
It was exciting to see our campus buzzing with prospective students and families during last week’s Open House. We’re launching into the final eight weeks of the semester with the start of Fall Accelerated Courses today, and our Admission team has been working nonstop to recruit now that it is college application season.
New Information
Chancellor Search
Dr. Beverly Bunch, UIS professor in the School of Public Management and Policy and the Center for State Policy and Leadership, is leading the search efforts for the next UIS chancellor. The search committee has been selected and will partner with Parker Executive Search, a leading global executive search firm. Watch for upcoming listening sessions that will invite input from UIS faculty, staff, students and the community about the important opportunities and challenges facing the new chancellor. Any questions or comments about the search should be directed to UISchancellorsearch@uillinois.edu.
NCBI Leadership for Equity & Inclusion Workshop
One of my top priorities as interim chancellor is anti-racism and social justice on our campus. I encourage each of you to check your schedules for Nov. 3 and make time to attend the National Coalition Builders Leadership for Equity & Inclusion: A Bias & Prejudice Reduction Workshop. The workshop takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. The workshop will help build effective relationships within and across group identities while learning how to effectively interrupt bias and prejudice. You can register for the workshop on UIS Connection.
Fire Drills
Annual fire drills will be conducted Oct. 22 and Oct. 29. Please keep your mask on and follow social distancing requirements as you go through the drill. For the latest Facilities updates, see their online newsletter.
Trunk or Treat for Canned Goods
Cox Children’s Center is hosting a Trunk or Treat for Canned Goods from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 29 in Parking Lot A. Departments and individuals can register for a spot through Oct. 22. Items collected will help stock the UIS Cares pantry. Bring your canned goods and candy for the children (nut-free please.) The Chancellor’s Office will have a trunk – we’ll see you there!
Information that Bears Repeating
Academic Reorganization Continues
We recently publicized the creation of our three new schools: the School of Education, School of Public Management & Policy, and School of Politics and International Affairs, as well as several new programs. We’ll continue to get the word out each semester, highlighting any new developments since the last news release.
SECA
There is still time to make your 2021 UIS SECA donation. Did you know only $10 per pay period can help provide an urgently needed set of personal protective equipment (PPE) for clinic caregivers around the world? Even if you have donated in the past and want your choices of charities to remain the same, you need to fill out the online form on the UIS SECA webpage.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Please double check that you have taken your required cybersecurity training for the quarter, called Protecting Against Ransomware. The training should take less than 15 minutes. You can access it here.
Ethics Training
Time is running out to finish your 2021 Ethics Training. If you have not done so already, please check your email for a link from the University Ethics Officer. The deadline for completing Ethics Training is Nov. 1.
On Fridays We Wear Blue
Show your school spirit every Friday by wearing your Prairie Stars gear. There are employee discounts at the UIS Bookstore. UIS Athletics has an online store, and many student organizations sell T-shirts throughout the year.
I-card Perks
Did you know your I-card can get you discounts around town? Check out the list and be sure use to use the discounts the next time you are out in Springfield, Champaign or Chicago.
Celebrating our Star Power
Congratulations to Kristin Nistbet-White, who was named the UIS Employee of the Month for October. Kristin is the Employer Development and Informatics Liaison at the UIS Career Development Center. One of her nominators said, “Kristin does an incredible job leading and engaging others. She is incredibly detailed, thorough and dependable.”
Kudos to Shane Harris, associate professor of ceramics, who is curating an art exhibit featuring his UIS sculpture students. “The Ornaments of Material” is part of the international Terrain Biennial 2021 Outpost at Enos Park. Check it out online or go see it in person at 1007 N. Seventh St., in Springfield, across from Enos Park. The exhibit will be on display through early November.
Fall is a beautiful time on this campus. I encourage you to take a walk on your lunch hour and enjoy the colors and cooler temperatures. Don’t forget to bring in some non-perishable items for Trunk or Treat on Oct. 29.
See you soon, Prairie Stars!
Karen
Karen M. Whitney, PhD
Interim Chancellor University of Illinois Springfield