Chancellor Ringeisen Signs Agreements to Expand the Diversity of UIS’ Students

By Janee Mitchell - Feature Writer

    On Thursday, Jan. 27, the Global Experience Program welcomed the addition of two new international exchange programs as Chancellor Richard Ringeisen signed the official agreements, which were presented by Jonathan Goldbergbelle, director of the office of international affairs.
Goldbergbelle said in a statement: “People, goods, and ideas cross borders daily. In order to better prepare our students for their local and global responsibilities, we have to extend our vision beyond the boundaries of Springfield and Illinois. The addition of these two programs and others that are on the horizon are steps in this direction.”
The Global Experience program currently offers six programs for studying abroad. The study abroad opportunities currently involve cultural and language experiences in Japan, Poland and Peru. Also, there are some learning experiences provided in Jamaica, China, and Ireland and Scotland.
The two new agreements make provisions for students to attend programs at Veritas in Romania and Charles Darwin University in Australia. The program in Romania provides an internship opportunity for students in the social work field. The program in Australia, though concentrating on the sciences provides opportunities for students of all majors.
The programs will also serve as an exchange in which students from Australia may attend UIS.

Chancellor Richard Ringeisen signs an agreement presented by Jonathan GoldbergBelle, director of the office of international studies, which will expand the Global Experience Programs available at UIS to include Australia and Romania.

There is not an official exchange program set up with Romania as of yet, but may be expected in the future. According to a statement, Goldbergbelle served as the coordinator between the faculty for the sciences and Charles Darwin University, while associate professor in social work Sandra Mills worked with Veritas.
Ringeisen said that as UIS works toward becoming “a model university of the 21st century,” we must realize that “we are now living in a global economy and a global world.” In the signing of the agreements, Ringeisen said he is trying to “globalize this institution” by increasing diversity while providing more study abroad and AST opportunities.
Ringeisen said one exchange student from Romania could teach the UIS community a lot about the culture in Romania. Goldbergbelle plans to coordinate a yearlong program in Japan, more programs in Australia and a program in a Spanish-speaking country. There are also some faculty members who are expecting to coordinate programs in Italy and other foreign countries. Goldbergbelle said some of these programs could be implemented within the next year.
Goldbergbelle has been working for the university for over six years. He said there were no global experience programs set up when he started. He has been afforded the opportunity to see the program develop and though he said it takes a while to establish the programs, the results are beneficial to both the university and student.
The programs are expected to be a little more costly then other programs; however, Goldbergbelle said students have raised funds to offset some of the cost. The Global Experience program is also currently developing scholarships that Goldbergbelle said would be directed toward transportation costs.
Students will pay the UIS tuition for the credit hours they obtain, while the exchange students pay their university’s tuition. Ringeisen said he wishes the university had more subsidies to pay for the traveling expenses.
Goldbergbelle said Dr. Chris Miller, vice chancellor for student affairs, has already been instrumental in the reduction of program costs and with the scholarships. The scholarships are expected to be available this spring for students who will be utilizing the program next year.
Ringeisen said the university is proud when students make an effort to help out in other countries, such as the recent fundraisers for the tsunami victims. Ringeisen and Goldbergbelle commended the Muslim Student Association for their tsunami relief fundraiser and faculty and staff members who started contributing to a fund they set up for tsunami relief through their local union.
Ringeisen said ‘UIS cares’ and wants to reach a financial point where they can send help in international disasters. He also said it would be terrific to combine the global experiences with opportunities to help in international disasters, but funding is needed and globalization may provide additional donors for such programs.

By Jason Satek - SGA/General Assignment Reporter

    Anyone seeking a challenging job and personal growth with great benefits is in luck. University Housing is hiring for at least eight Resident Assistant positions for the Lincoln Residence Hall, apartments and townhouses.
According to Resident Director Loni Oehlwein, potential applicants should first investigate the appropriate section of the university website, http://www.uis.edu/housing/
and submit an application to the Housing Commons office before February 23. There will be a panel interview starting around February 28, followed later by a group interview in March that will test interactive and leadership skills.
That said, what kind of person does this job? A room waiver, meal money, free cable and electricity, computer use and a stipend are good benefits, but that isn’t the only real draw. Alissa Manzoeillo, a senior RA provided some insight.
“I had a great Resident Assistant my freshman year. He helped me adjust and all the students fit in at school. I wanted to help other students have the same kind of experience,” she said.
When asked about the hardest part of being an RA, she replied, “Having to bust a party. When we have a noise violation or a drinking violation, the campus is so small that you know everyone. Some times people will ask not to have their names written down for a report. You just have to be strong.”
Manzoeillo, a political studies and communication double major, hopes to attend graduate school at UIS, and to continue on as an RA. “It looks good on a resume and there is a financial benefit, but if you don’t enjoy it, want to make a difference or to help, it isn’t worth it.”
Second year RA Dana Goodrum lives with her son Michael in family housing. A senior in political studies, she was looking to get more involved on campus, “a step up from organizations, more of a link to all of it. I applied to be an RA because you got to program so many events and become a resource.” Has it turned out as she hoped? “Even better,” she replied.
The hardest part of being an RA for Goodrum comes from time management. “I want to do so much with programming and being more involved, but school, hours at the Housing Commons and my own family, it’s hard because you want to put so much into being an RA. You have to make it balance.”
Goodrum also recommends the experience. “It’s a great opportunity to get training in skills like CPR and crisis management. You gain organization and time management skills. It looks good on a resume and is real preparation for a professional career after college.”
RAs perform one duty night per week and two weekends a month, according to the UIS website. They are required to be at least second semester freshmen living as a resident of University Housing, be enrolled as a full time student, maintain a 2.5 grade point average and be of good academic standing and have acceptable judicial history.

UIS’ Muslim Student Association Joins in the Tsunami Relief Efforts

By Janee Mitchell - Feature Writer

     In the aftermath of the deadly tsunami on Dec. 26, many organizations both religious and secular have begun donating and setting up fundraisers to help the victims. On Monday, Jan. 24, the Muslim Student Association joined the tsunami relief efforts with its weeklong fundraiser, ending Friday, Jan. 28.
The fundraiser sought to raise awareness and encourage student support in the relief efforts. Initially, when hearing of the tsunami disaster, Fareed Ismail, president of MSA, said he did not fully understand the magnitude of what happened. After witnessing the various places the Tsunami hit the MSA knew it was their duty to help in the relief efforts.

The Muslim Student Association set up a booth to encourage donations to the tsunami relief efforts during their week long fundraiser Jan 24-28

Ismail said the tsunami incident can be seen as a test from God, to see how willing we are to help others in their time of need. Ismail said devastating events like the tsunami cause people to ask self-reflecting questions such as: who am I? and do I care? He also said that he has learned nothing is more powerful than the power of God.
Ismail said, “it is hard to watch the devastation and not do anything.” He encourages everyone to help the tsunami relief efforts with the same words he received from “a great teacher”: “We all are here on earth for a limited period of time and we have to do righteous actions…this is a chance for you to do something. It is as if God said this has happened now what are you going to do about it?”
Ismail said the MSA seeks to do things that will make an impact both globally and locally. The MSA represents Islam. Ismail said Islam encourages them to help out in all areas where there is a need. The club has already been apart of habitat for humanity builds and plans to help in other areas in the future. When learning of the devastation caused by the tsunami, they began to form a team that would work with tsunami relief efforts.
Ismail said the tsunami disaster is one that goes across all religions and that everyone should be compelled to help the families involved in the tsunami incident. MSA did not want the fundraiser to be viewed solely as a Muslim event or fundraiser. They wanted people to become aware of the devastation caused by the tsunami and the need for assistance in relief efforts.
MSA partnered with the American Red Cross, a Christian organization, to express the unity needed to aid the countries devastated by the tsunami. Ismail said when MSA informed Red Cross of their plans for a partnership to raise money for the tsunami relief, they were eager to assist. MSA’s booth for the Red Cross was the first one at this university.
The booth displayed information and photos from both the Red Cross and Islam as a symbol of unity. The booth also featured bumper stickers and pins from the American Red Cross as well as tsunami relief pledge forms.
MSA set a goal to raise $2,000 during the fundraiser to send to tsunami victims. Ismail said when he set the goal he thought it would be attainable if 2,000 students each gave $1 for the week that they would have otherwise spent on a drink.
Although they did not meet their monetary goal, MSA was happy to have increased awareness and will match the funding received dollar for dollar.
MSA is currently in the planning stages of an even larger fundraiser for tsunami victims. The fundraiser is expected to involve both the UIS community and contributing outside organizations. The date has not yet been set; however, information can be obtained from the club’s president, Fareed Ismail, at Fisma01s@uis.edu.
The MSA’s fundraiser has ended until further notice. If anyone wishes to continue to donate or make their first contribution to the tsunami relief efforts, MSA will continue to accept donations and forward them to the American Red Cross, who will then distribute it to the countries devastated by the tsunami.

No permanent decision on the temporary buildings

By Jason Satek - SGA/General Assignment Reporter

A decision on how to use the space left by the migration of campus offices to University Hall is expected with several months

Much of the old administrative heart of the University of Illinois-Springfield campus is now largely empty, as availability of office space and desire to centralize operations caused a minor western exodus, and left behind a logistical question to be addressed.
University Hall, the new showcase building for the University of Illinois-Springfield campus, was dedicated on August 18th of last year and opened for classes on the 19th, consolidating much of the university administration inside that one building. In fact, the facility had been functioning since July, in preparation for the fall semester.
The structures remaining on the east side of the campus, the former homes to departments like Financial Assistance and Records are now the question, as to what purpose will they serve now that their tenants have mostly departed.
The CPV building has had the C and P depart, with Communication and Psychology moving to University Hall, while the Visual Arts portion has remained behind because of the specific needs of the program. The College of Business & Management has also moved, leaving behind some classrooms and the WUIS radio station.
Joe Eck, Assistant Director of Physical Planning and Operations, spoke about the current situation. “There have been no permanent decisions. Chancellor Richard Ringeisen has put together a strategic plan commission, with a directive to come up with a new strategic plan for the campus. Based on that, we will be making our long term and permanent decisions on space. Decisions regarding temporary space assignments will hopefully be done within a month or two, and these could turn out to be long term”.
These temporary spaces assignments have come via the different divisions, and will be assessed by the Planning, looking in regards to individual needs. “There are no ratios. We will be looking specific needs of the programs,” said Eck.
The list of space that is up for reallocation also includes some in the Student Affairs Building, Human Resources Building, College of Liberal Arts, Health & Sciences Building, and the fourth level of Brookens Library.
Cheryl Peck, the Director of Public Affairs, stated that a position paper is in the works, to be submitted to John Conner, the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services that would help outline how the department heads think the space might be used. “Vice Chancellor Conner will then take the Chancellors’ cabinet, who will look at it and make determinations on how space will be used.” There is no given timetable for this procedure.
The Chancellor’s cabinet contains, according to Peck, Chancellor Ringeisen, Conner, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Harry Berman, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Christopher Miller, and Executive Assistant to the Chancellor Emily Schirding.
Until permanent decisions are made at the highest level, the buildings will apparently remain a university resource to be allocated to departments on an “as needed” temporary basis with an option for a more permanent lease, and the leadership will continue to mull over and map out the best course to be taken, once the long term plan is decided upon.

Chancellor Ringeisen Signs Agreements to Expand the Diversity of UIS’ Students

Housing recruiting Resident Assistants for next year

UIS’ Muslim Student Association Joins in the Tsunami Relief Efforts

No permanent decision made regarding temporary buildings