Academic Staff Handbook
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Professional Roles and Responsibilities - Faculty and Academic Professional Staff

Center for State Policy and Leadership

Given the unique public affairs focus and location of the UIS campus in the capitol of Illinois, the Center for State Policy and Leadership identifies and addresses issues of public policy, promotes governmental effectiveness, supports an informed citizenry, and contributes to the dialogue on matters of significant public concern. The Center gives particular emphasis to the policies, politics, and practices of state government. The Center works in partnership with all levels of government, local communities, citizens, and the nonprofit sector to mobilize the expertise of faculty, staff, and students for public policy research, service, and leadership development.

Office of the Executive Director

The Office of the Executive Director is the central point of contact for the units and programs of the Center. The Office provides leadership for interdisciplinary research and public service initiatives, fosters collaboration with national, state and local organizations, coordinates policy summits, lecture series and other public forums, and oversees the financial development and management of the center.

Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Policy Studies

The Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Policy Studies (ILLAPS) contributes to the creation, transfer, and application of knowledge to improve public sector performance. The Institute has a permanent core of staff and faculty with joint appointments in relevant academic departments. Policy and administrative issues within the executive branch of state government constitute an important focus for the Institute's work. Significant attention is also given to legislation and legislative process for research and educational purposes. In addition, helping the court system access and use knowledge about best practices is a longstanding and continuing priority. The Institute's projects include both efforts independently undertaken and those funded on a grant or contract basis through public and private resources. Support for projects comes from state, local, and federal government, as well as foundations and other nonprofit organizations.

Recent work by the Institute has addressed relevant issues in the areas of criminal justice, traffic safety, campaign finance reform, public health, developmental disabilities, mental health, public school financing, retail economics, early childhood development, civic engagement, and government operations. Institute activities include the writing of publications, social science research and policy analysis, program evaluation, training curriculum and delivery, database development, and conferences.

The Institute offers opportunities for graduate research assistantships and access to information and expertise for both graduate and undergraduate students interested in carrying out research on public affairs topics. The Institute also administers the Illinois Legislative Staff Internship Program (ILSIP).

See also:

Illinois Legislative Staff Internship Program in the Educational Support section of this handbook.

Survey Research Office

The Survey Research Office (SRO) offers a full range of survey research services and selected data management services to campus units and outside clientele, specializing in services to governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations. SRO has extensive experience in implementing telephone surveys, mail-out surveys, web-based surveys and, increasingly, multi-mode surveys. SRO frequently works in conjunction with other Center and campus units as well as with faculty from UIS and other institutions. In recent years, SRO has employed about 20 to 25 UIS students as telephone research interviewers.

See also:

Survey Research Office in the Educational Support Services section of this handbook

Illinois Issues/Center Publications

Illinois Issues was established in August 1974 as a monthly magazine on Illinois government and public affairs. As the state’s leading public affairs magazine, it provides analyses of public policy in Illinois, pays close attention to current trends and legislative issues, and examines the state’s quality of life. The magazine also engages its readers in dialogue, enhancing the quality of public discourse in Illinois.

Illinois Issues provides job opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in public affairs journalism, as well as a publishing outlet for faculty conducting research in public affairs.

See also:

Campus Periodicals (under Public Relations) in the Administrative and Support Services section of this handbook

WUIS/WIPA Public Radio Station

WUIS 91.9 FM, the University of Illinois Springfield's public radio station, began broadcasting on January 3, 1975, and is affiliated with National Public Radio, Public Radio International, and American Public Media. WUIS offers a full range of news and information with an emphasis on state government coverage, arts, and entertainment to more than 30,000 each week. WUIS offers opportunities for students through part-time jobs and internships. The station also provides assistance to faculty interested in using the radio station as a teaching tool. WUIS serves western Illinois through its Pittsfield repeater station WIPA 89.3.

WUIS broadcasts in digital and offers three channels: HD-1 carries the WUIS main channel; HD-2-Xponential features adult alternative music; and HD-3, The Classic, provides a 24-hour classical music service. All of these services are accessible via the Web at wuis.org. WUIS also operates the Suggs Performance studio for small, live musical performances and recording. WUIS includes the Radio Information Service (RIS), a special radio channel for the blind and visually handicapped, which features newspapers and other print material. RIS always welcomes volunteers.

See also:

WUIS/WIPA Public Radio Station in Cultural and Entertainment (under Facilities) in the Administrative and Support Services section of this handbook

UIS Office of Electronic Media

The Office of Electronic Media, a unit of the Center for State Policy and Leadership, produces educational, public service, public affairs, training and informational programs on DVD, CD, video and audiotape, and the Internet in support of the university's academic and public affairs missions. Live event coverage, satellite programming, and multi-media programs are produced for the Center, UIS, state government, public television, Illinois educators, and community non-profit agencies. From statewide public service media campaigns and live webcasts to interactive DVD's, the Office of Electronic Media uses contemporary communication technologies to inform, educate, and enlighten. The office maintains complete television and multi-media studios in the university's Public Affairs Center and provides practical learning opportunities in media production for UIS students. Formore information about the services offered by the Office of Electronic Media, call or visit our website.

See also:

Office of Electronic Media in the Educational Support Services section of this handbook

Papers of Abraham Lincoln

The Papers of Abraham Lincoln is a long-term documentary editing project dedicated to identifying, imaging, transcribing, and publishing, all documents written by or to Abraham Lincoln during his entire lifetime (1809-1865). The project is sponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and co-sponsored by the Center for State Policy and Leadership and the Abraham Lincoln Association.

Office of Graduate Intern Programs

UIS offers the Graduate Public Service Internship Program (GPSI) and other scholarship opportunities to provide graduate student interns with an opportunity to begin a professional career in public service while earning a master’s degree.

See also:

Graduate Public Service Internship Program in this section and in the Educational Support Services section of this handbook