Media Advisory: Girl Tech 2009

What: Girl Tech 2009, a technology camp for middle-school girls. The camp will offer sessions on programming, robotics, computer networking, iMovie, Photoshop and computer hardware.

When: Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: University of Illinois at Springfield, University Hall Building

Details: A partial list of sessions includes Cartoons Galore!, Persona Magazine, Wireless Treasure Hunt and Robotics at the Robot Zoo. To be eligible, students must be entering 7th, 8th or 9th grade in the fall. The registration fee is $20 per girl, which covers lunch both days, snacks and a participation T-shirt. For more information about specific sessions, go online to http://csc.uis.edu/girltech2009.

Media Advisory: UIS hosts etiquette dinner for junior high and high school girls

What: The Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center at UIS will be hosting an etiquette dinner for middle and high school-aged girls.

When: Everyday Etiquette training will take place from 2:30 to 4 p.m., and the dinner is from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28.

Where: Everyday Etiquette training will be held in the Public Affairs Center (PAC) in Conference Room G on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus. The etiquette dinner will take place in the PAC Restaurant.

Details: The etiquette dinner is part of the Girl 2 Girl DreamSpeakers program, a mentoring program matching more than 100 Springfield School District 186 female students with more than 40 UIS female student-athletes. One of the goals of the Girl 2 Girl program is to assist girls in grades 8, 9 and 10 in developing basic etiquette skills, such as proper introductions, social media etiquette, using dinner utensils and more. About 50 UIS students and District 186 students will be attending the dinner. The program is funded by a grant received from the Sangamon County Community Foundation and its Women for Women Fund.

Media Advisory: Good as Gold Ceremony honors local volunteers

What: In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), the University of Illinois at Springfield and the Junior League of Springfield have formed a partnership to host the Springfield Good as Gold Ceremony, a recognition event to acknowledge community members and organizations for their volunteer efforts.

When: Thursday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m.

Where: The Sangamon Auditorium lobby of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus.

Details: More than 50 people will be recognized during the Good as Gold Ceremony for their achievements and efforts, including those receiving the Heart of Gold, Youth Volunteer, Organization Agent of Service or UIS Outstanding Community Service Award.

UIS will also honor one staff or faculty member and one student who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service and volunteerism with the UIS Star Staff and UIS Star Student award.

Additionally, the Junior League will feature the winner of its Outstanding Community Service Award, recognizing a local junior high school girl for her leadership and volunteerism.

The winner of the Distinguished Volunteer award will have the opportunity to give a brief presentation to showcase his or her accomplishments within the Springfield community and will receive a donation stipend to give to the charity of his or her choice.

Media Advisory: UIS Cares Day benefits local community

What: In observance of UIS Cares Day and to celebrate National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center, along with members of the UIS community, will be planting trees at Southwind Park.

When: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.

Where: Edwin Watts Southwind Park in Springfield, located near the corner of S. 2nd Street and Southwind Road.

Details: UIS is celebrating National Volunteer Week this week with the 7th annual UIS Cares Day. UIS Cares is a half-day community service event in which UIS students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends take on a community service project in partnership with a community-based organization.

Media Advisory: Emiquon Audubon Society hosts Bluebird Workshop

What: The Emiquon Audubon Society, a chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society, in partnership with the University of Illinois Springfield’s Emiquon Field Station and Dickson Mounds Museum, will present a Bluebird Workshop called “Bring in Spring.”

When: Saturday, March 21 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Where: UIS Field Station on The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve

Details: The Emiquon Preserve currently has a successful trail which has yielded over 250 fledged Eastern Bluebirds over the past three seasons.

The “Bring in Spring” program will feature some important aspects of monitoring bluebird nest boxes including box design, box placement, bluebird pest control and recommended practices for establishing and monitoring the nest box.

The first 30 participants at this workshop will be able to make their own bluebird nest box on site to take home. All materials will be provided, but those who attend are asked to being their own screwdriver or cordless screwdriver.

The event is free and open to the public. For a map to the UIS Emiquon Field Station, go online to https://edocs.uis.edu/kmill2/www/MapToTNCandEFS.jpg. For more information, contact Cindy McGrew at mcducks2@casscomm.com.

Media Advisory: UIS holds global warming teach-in

What: Global Warming Teach-in at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The teach-in will correspond with a national teach-in on February 5 to engage Americans in conversation about the decisions that will determine the future health of the planet.

When: Friday, February 6 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Where: University Hall, room 2008, on the UIS campus

Details: The event is free and open to the public.

The schedule of events is as follows:
1:00-1:45 p.m. Webcast of The First 100 Days and discussion to follow. The webcast urges President Barack Obama’s administration to take swift action on curbing climate change.

2:00 p.m. Carbon footprint exercise on laptops with discussion. Participants will be able to calculate their individual carbon footprints and compare their carbon footprints to those in other countries.

3:00-4:00 p.m. Keynote address by Dr. Dennis Ruez, assistant professor of Environmental Studies at UIS, focusing on “Lessons in Climate Change from the Geologic Record.”

4:00-5:00 p.m. Discussion of local initiatives on global warming with a question-and-answer session, led by Will Reynolds of the Sierra Club and Bob Croteau of Springfield’s City Water Light and Power.

Refreshments will be served courtesy of the UIS Biology Club. For more information, contact Dr. Amy McEuen, assistant professor of ecology, at 217/206-7341.

Media advisory: "Patriotic American Muslims through History"

What: "Patriotic American Muslims through History," a panel discussion on the contributions American Muslims have made to this country

When & Where: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 4, in conference room C/D, lower level of the Public Affairs Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield

Details: Sponsors are UIS student groups Muslim Students Association and Peace Students Organization.

Panelists include Dr. Maryam Mostoufi of the Islamic Society of Greater Springfield and the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association, and Dr. Baker Siddiquee, UIS associate professor of Economics. The discussion will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

For additional information, contact Mohammed Khaleel Yacoob, PSO/MSA vice-president, at 405/537-5081.

Media Advisory: President White to discuss American childhood

What: U of I President B. Joseph White will discuss "Brilliant Futures for America's Children, Home and Family Imperatives"

When and Where: 12:15 p.m., Friday, November 7, Public Affairs Center conference room C/D at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Doors will open at 11:45 a.m.

Details: Dr. White's presentation will touch on a variety of issues related to American children and their families. The program is presented by the Business/Education Partnership of Sangamon County.

Download a pdf file of the media advisory from Sarah Wolin of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
MediaAdvGSCChostsJoeWhite.pdf

Media Alert: Confirmation of news conference

Contact: Paul MacDonna
Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information Director
Office: 217-206-6752
Cell: 217-891-2301

The University of Illinois at Springfield and the Commissioner of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), will hold a press conference on:

Wednesday, October 8
3 p.m.
On the center court in
The Recreation and Athletic Center
2171 University Drive
Springfield, Illinois

The press conference will include the following personnel:

UIS Chancellor Richard D. Ringeisen
GLVC Commissioner Jim Naumovich
UIS Athletic Director Dr. Roger Jehlicka

UIS Head Coaches will be available for comments, including Kevin Gamble (Men's Basketball); Roy Gilmore (Women's Basketball); Joe Fisher (Women's Volleyball and Softball); Jay Davis (Men's and Women's Golf); and Manny Velasco (Men's and Women's Tennis).

The press conference will be webcast live, beginning at 3 p.m., and can be found on the Internet at these locations: www.uis.edu/technology/uislive.html and www.goprairiestars.com

Installation of Green Roof

What: Green roof being installed on new residence hall at University of Illinois at Springfield. Living plant matter and soil are being placed on three levels of roof top on that building.

When: Wednesday, August 13, and Thursday, August 14.

Where: New residence hall, called Founders Hall, located adjacent to Lincoln Residence Hall on west side of campus.

Why: The green roof is part of UIS’ strategic goal to create more energy savings and increase environmental sustainability.

Insulation provided by the roof will reduce heating costs by 8% and cooling costs by 16% in the building. It will also reduce storm water runoff, and the water retained will help nourish and maintain the health of the plantings, called sedums.

The green roof at UIS is the first installed on any structure in central Illinois.

Read more about green roofs.

Andre Iguodala Celebrity Weekend at UIS

Andre Iguodala, star forward of the Philadelphia 76'ers, and Kevin Gamble, head coach of the UIS Prairie Stars men's basketball team, will host a basketball camp on the campus of the University of Illinois at Springfield during the week of July 21, 2008. The camp precedes a celebrity-filled lineup of events taking place on Saturday, July 26.

Tickets are $20 for each event; call 217/220-0267 for more information.

Who: Andre Iguodala Youth Foundation

What: Andre Iguodala Celebrity Weekend 2008

Where:

Andre Iguodala and Kevin Gamble Basketball Camp, at UIS, Monday July 21 through Friday, July 25, 2008;

Health and Education Fair, at UIS, Saturday, July 26, 10am - 1pm;

Andre Iguodala Celebrity Basketball Game, at UIS, Saturday, July 26, 3pm - 6pm;

"Style" Fashion and Comedy Show featuring The World's Greatest Entertainer Doug E Fresh, Morris Chestnut and LisaRaye, at UIS' Sangamon Auditorium, Saturday, July 26, 8pm - 11pm;

"The After Party" at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom, 3000 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL.

Gilman-Opalsky to speak on social movements and the public sphere

Contact: Kimberly Craig at 206-6245, speakerseries@uis.edu
or Richard Gilman-Opalsky at 206-8328, rgilm3@uis.edu

What: "Unbounded Publics: Social Movements, Rebellion, and the Public Sphere," a presentation by Richard Gilman-Opalsky, assistant professor of political philosophy in the Political Science department at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

When & Where: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 19, in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library on the UIS campus.

Details: Public spheres are where people engage new ideas and arguments and where social movements and rebellions begin. Dr. Gilman-Opalsky's presentation will facilitate a discussion of this process.

He is the author of Unbounded Publics: Transgressive Public Spheres, Zapatismo, and Political Theory (2008, Lexington Books).

See a webcast of the presentation

More about Dr. Gilman-Opalsky's book

Illinois Issues has revised, expanded website

Contact: Dana Heupel, 206-6084, heupel.dana@uis.edu

What: Illinois Issues magazine has a revised and expanded website, available at http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/index.html.

Details: With a cleaner look and feel, the new design makes it easier for users to find what they’re looking for. In addition to a search function and comments area, other new features include audio and video posts. Improvements will continue in coming months, and feedback is welcome. Those with comments or requests can post their ideas at the site or e-mail them to Executive Editor Dana Heupel at heupel.dana@uis.edu.

Illinois Issues is a not-for-profit monthly publication dedicated to providing fresh, provocative analysis of public policy in Illinois with a special focus on state government and politics. The magazine also sponsors and promotes other appropriate public affairs educational activities and publishes an annual Roster of State Government Officials.

Illinois Issues is published by Center Publications, part of the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Springfield.