Suggestions?

We're trying to communicate with staff and faculty in this financially troublesome and unusual year. We also have created an electronic suggestion box for you to submit ideas on what we might be able to do to address our budgetary concerns. The link is: Suggestion Box.

Angst

I heard the word "angst" at this morning's meeting of the Academic Professional Advisory Council. There is concern among professional staff that some might be receiving notices that their jobs will be eliminated in 6 months or 12 months. Right now, the angst and stress come from not knowing who might get those notices. I understand that. These times -- including furloughs -- are unprecedented in University of Illinois history.

Guns, parking, retention issues pop up at forum

I was pleased that a UNI 101 class came to a portion of my open forum today. The students asked good questions. I'll follow up on some of them on my blog or web site, and with other questions, I'll pass along the concerns to the UIS administrators who need to hear what was said. Other people were there besides students, and that was most welcome. Among the issues I will follow up on are: how do we enforce our "designated smoking areas" policy? Are we concerned about retention, which was mentioned in a column in this week's student newspaper? There were also questions and comments about the Food Emporium food, library hours, meal plan, an expanded foreign language program, and others. Two questions I can answer right now:

If Illinois gets a concealed carry gun law, would we allow students to carry guns on campus to protect themselves? I said I doubt it. Guns are not allowed on campus at all, and I can't imagine we would want to change that policy.

Another question: Might we ever get a parking deck/garage? Not in the near future. Our parking operation has to be self-supporting, and I'm confident the campus community would not be willing to pay the considerably higher parking fees that we would need to build a parking garage. ... Watch this space for updates on other issues.

A rally well executed

Last night about 300 people attended a "No Place for Hate" rally and speakout on our quad. I'd call it a great success. Led by Bret Tate, president of the student group called Queer Straight Alliance, our students and their allies cheered for the numerous calls for acceptance of a wide range of behaviors, lifestyles, and choices. That's as it should be in a university community. Nearly everybody who spoke found their way to a common theme: an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and it's up to all of us to show support for one another. This morning, I tip my cap to the students who orchestrated the rally, march and speakout. It was civil, energizing and very effective.