Humane Society award

A course taught online at UIS -- Animals and Human Civilization -- has won an award from The Humane Society of the United States. Taught by Dr. Boria Sax, an adjunct faculty member in UIS' Philosophy Department, the course has garnered the Distinguished New Course Award in the Society's national Animals and Society awards program. Sax developed and teaches the course online as a Liberal Studies Colloquium at UIS. The course includes folklore, literature, religion, history, artificial intelligence, and other fields to consider social, religious, and philosophical perspectives on animals throughout history Sax is a critically acclaimed author and scholar, as well as an authority on online learning.

Creating a better campus climate

Creating a campus climate in which every student is valued and accepted is a goal we are always striving to attain. No one questions the resolve necessary to untwist attitudes that marginalize others and compromise their wellbeing. Likewise, behaviors that hurt others by making them feel unwanted and unsafe have no place in the learning environment we seek here at UIS. In November, I invited Dr. Ronni Sanlo to visit UIS to examine campus issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression and to offer suggestions for practice. She is the director of the UCLA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Campus Resource Center. After hearing the concerns and thoughts of many UIS faculty, staff, students and administrators, Dr. Sanlo concluded that "the issues are evident" but "not at all irresolvable." "With much open communication and a certain amount of mediation, I have no doubt that everyone will soon be on the same page," she said. In response to recommendations in the final report that Dr. Sanlo submitted to me, I have asked Provost Harry Berman, Vice Chancellor Chris Miller and Professors Karen Kirkendall and Pat Langley to work on an action plan for the campus. You may read the final report at http://www.uis.edu/chancellor/lgbt.html

Good news for magazine

Illinois Issues magazine, published here at UIS, has attracted an award-winning journalist to its top position as executive editor. Dana Heupel began leading the prestigious magazine in January. Issues has reported on political trends, legislative issues, and the state's quality of life since 1975. A 30-year veteran of the newspaper business, Heupel was a reporter and Statehouse editor for GateHouse News Service/Copley News Service since 1997. He has managed newsrooms at The State Journal-Register, Fresno Bee, Indianapolis Star, and Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. At the magazine, Heupel is carrying on a tradition of independent, in-depth reporting and analysis of state government and politics while expanding the magazine's web presence. We welcome him to UIS' Center for State Policy and Leadership, where Illinois Issues is located. Visit the magazine's website at http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/.

Music, theatre, athletics and more

The UIS Music Fall Showcase Concert and UIS Theatre Student Directed Scenes are just two ways in which our campus culture has been enlivened and enriched during this pre-winter season. And we have the UIS Employee Holiday Party to look forward to on December 17. I hope all of you will attend. In the meantime, we've got a great matchup tonight in TRAC Arena with the #13-ranked Prairie Stars men's basketball team taking on the #7-ranked Eagles of Robert Morris College - Chicago. The Prairie Stars are on a five-game winning streak (7-3 overall record), so the momentum is there are another win. Please join me in cheering them on to another victory.

Softball players earn honor

I learned recently that six members of our Prairie Stars softball team have been named 2006-07 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Scholar-Athletes. The honor is conveyed to those student-athletes who have an academic year grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Kristan Delafeld, Jessica Tittsworth, Allie Leight, Whitney Nelson, Rachel Canny and Brittany Schafer all received the honor. "To have this many members of the team receive this honor is a tribute to their dedication, both on the field and in the classroom," said Head Coach Joe Fisher. I want to add my congratulations to these student-athletes for setting an example of excellence.