Publish Date

9.7.21 

Good morning! I hope everyone was able to spend time with family and friends over the Labor Day weekend as we all celebrated and paid tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. For our important work at UIS, we are now into our fall semester, looking forward with great optimism and hope.

New Information 

Chancellor’s Employee Forum 

Save the date for an open forum for faculty and staff via Zoom at 3 p.m. Sept. 16. I will update attendees on the ongoing search for a permanent Chancellor, my 10-point plan and more. Questions can be submitted ahead to askthechancellor@uis.edu. Please use “Open Forum Question” in the subject line. 

Join Zoom Meeting  

Phone one-tap:  US: +13126266799,,84107599182# or +13017158592,,84107599182#  

Meeting URL:  https://uis.zoom.us/j/84107599182?pwd=UE1MQ2lBY0dSZXpTQlJtV01SZWpOQT09  

Meeting ID:  841 0759 9182 

Password: 309587 

Mental Health Symposium 

The UI System is hosting the second annual Mental Health Symposium to address the pandemic-related anxiety and challenges facing students. The virtual, interactive symposium will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 15. Please register to attend. 

First Generation Connection Series 

Necessary Steps is seeking faculty and staff to join its First Generation Connection Series this fall. A first-generation college student is one whose parent/guardian has not graduated with a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university. If you’re first-gen and are interested in helping, fill out this form. 

Know a Student with Undergraduate Research? 

UIS is hosting the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) Virtual Midwest/West Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (URSCA) Conference Nov. 13. Please encourage your students to submit a presentation title and 150-word abstract of their research before Oct. 11. Submissions may be emailed to COPLAC@uis.edu

HyFlex Classrooms 

UIS is now home to seven HyFlex classrooms equipped with the latest audio/video equipment. These classrooms offer more options for course delivery. For a quick instructional tour of a HyFlex classroom, please contact Kara McElwrath.  Schedule a HyFlex room for your course here: Classroom Scheduling. 

Visual Arts Gallery Reception 

Mark your calendars for 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 9. The mixed-media art exhibition, “180,000,” operates under the guise of PlantBot Genetics, a parody of Big Agricultural Firms, which manipulate the current food production and distribution systems. VGA hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

Online Directory Updates 

The online directory has been updated to automatically pull employee data from BANNER, which automates listings to improve accuracy. In the transition, some employees’ phone numbers may no longer display. Please check your listing for accuracy. Visit My UI Info to update your number if it’s not correct. You will also have the option to edit your office address and mail stop. If your department is listed incorrectly, please contact the employee who handles HR/Payroll responsibilities for your unit. 

Information that Bears Repeating 

SHIELD Testing  

Testing is required for everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status. Vaccinated employees must test once a week, and employees who are not fully vaccinated with approved or pending exemptions must test twice a week. If you are unable to test during the times available at the UIS Testing Site, you may test at a community testing site and upload your results to your Patient Portal. UIS Testing hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  

Professional Development at Your Fingertips 

Just a reminder that all UIS employees have access to the valuable trainings and seminars from Academic Impressions. I encourage you to take some time to listen to a recorded seminar, attend a webinar or read an article to make the most of this incredible subscription.  

Celebrating our Star Power 

Congratulations to the UIS Advancement Team on “Reaching Stellar” almost a year ahead of schedule. The public portion of the fundraising campaign, the largest in the University’s history, launched in October 2017. As of Aug. 13, Reaching Stellar had recorded a total of $40.02 million in gifts and commitments. 

Congratulations to Stacey Gilmore, who was named UIS Employee of the Month for August. Stacey is the director of the UIS Cox Children’s Center. Her nominator said she and staff at the Center have gone “above and beyond” during the COVID-19 pandemic to help children and families. 

Happy September! Thank you for the countless hours you spend making UIS a great place to learn and work. I look forward to another beautiful autumn here with you. 

United in Safety, 

Karen  

Karen M. Whitney, PhD

Interim Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield