Springfield family helps shine light on UIS flags

The three flags outside the Public Affairs Center at the University of Illinois Springfield are now visible at night thanks to the help of a Springfield family.

It’s been UIS Building Services Superintendent Tim Ritzo’s dream to find someone who would donate the spot lights for the American, Illinois and UIS flags. This year a daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Randy Germeraad, called and asked for ideas regarding a gift they might do in honor of her parents, Bill and Mary Schnirring, longtime owners of Springfield Electric.

“I suggested lighting the flag pole, since it honored the family business and our state and national heritage. They loved the idea,” said UIS Associate Chancellor for Development Vicki Megginson.

The family saw the opportunity as a “perfect fit” since their more than 75-year-old locally owned business deals with both lighting and electricity.

On Monday, October 26, 2009 a ceremony was held near the flag poles where a U.S. flag that was flown over the United State’s capitol was raised. The flag was secured by Tim Ritzo, who is a veteran himself.

UIS Chancellor Richard D. Ringeisen spoke about the importance of the lighting and helped unveil a plaque honoring the Schnirring’s donation.

Chancellor honors Civil Service employees

University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Richard D. Ringeisen honored more than 300 Civil Service employees during the 3rd Annual CARE Awards. A luncheon ceremony was held on September 23, 2009 in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby.

“You’re really important people, front line people. You’re the people whose smile makes a difference in students and parents lives,” said Ringeisen.

Sharon Heflin, who works in the Office of Graduate Intern Programs, was honored with the 2009 Chancellor’s Award to Recognize Excellence in Civil Service. Heflin started as extra help in the GPSI office, and was hired into the Center for Legal Studies full time in October 2001. Then, in 2002 she was hired to work in the GPSI office again, and has been there ever since.

The person who nominated her for the award said about her, when you look up “ethical” in the dictionary, you see a picture of Sharon.

Other Civil Service employees nominated for the award include:
Carolyn Cerven, Account Technician II, OBFS
Deborah Dove, Admissions and Records Specialist II, Admissions
Bobbie Fults, Office Support Specialist, Computer Science
Normajean Niebur, Office Support Specialist, Criminal Justice
Marcia Rossi, Office Administrator, Library Administration
Dawn Tompkins, Staff Clerk, Experiential and Service Learning
Carol Wendling, Administrative Clerk, Academic Affairs

UIS sets record for fall enrollment

Enrollment at the University of Illinois Springfield this fall is the largest ever in the institution’s 39-year history. The total number of enrolled students at UIS is 4,961. It is a 5% increase (250 students) over last fall’s total of 4,711 students.

“We are very excited about the fall enrollment numbers. They demonstrate the value attached to the high quality education UIS delivers for students from all over Illinois. These numbers are attained by programs at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, in many academic areas. And this in spite of some very tough economic conditions. We are most gratified,” said Chancellor Richard Ringeisen.

There are 3,027 undergraduates at UIS this fall, compared to 2,889 last fall. UIS has 1,934 graduate students, which is 112 more than last fall.

“The retention of students continuing their education at UIS continues to grow, which reflects the quality of education that is offered here,” said Admissions Associate Director Lori Giordano.

Additionally, the university has a record number of students living on campus this fall. There are 1,089 students living in the UIS apartments, townhouses, and Lincoln and Founders residence halls compared to 1,030 last fall.

Online learning grows in popularity

Online programs at UIS are continuing to experience overall growth, according to Ray Schroeder, Director of the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service.

More than one-fourth of the student body at UIS is majoring in online degree or certificate programs, with online majors totaling 1,301. This represents an increase of 8.4% from last fall’s 1,200 online majors.

“Online enrollments at UIS have increased for a remarkable 33 semesters and summer sessions in a row,” Schroeder noted. “This fall’s numbers once again included significant increases in the number of students majoring in online degree and certificate programs. UIS has built a national reputation for excellence in online teaching and quality online degree programs at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.”

General online enrollments are also higher than last fall, with 4,300 students enrolled in at least one online class, compared to 3,875 last year – an increase of almost 11%. Online enrollments, also called seat counts, are the total number of seats that are filled in online classes.

With increases in online enrollment, UIS is also seeing a 10% increase in faculty members who are teaching an online class, with 154 this fall compared to 140 in fall 2008.

“While the growth of the online program at UIS has spanned more than a decade, recent increases seem to be fueled by the economic downturn. The quality of UIS online classes, coupled with the flexibility and accessibility of the classes, has made UIS online an attractive option for students seeking to advance their education while continuing to work,” Schroeder said.

Chancellor's picnic welcomes back students

Clear blue skies helped welcome students back to campus during University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Richard Ringeisen’s annual picnic. Students got to shake hands with the campus leader and enjoy a variety of food while listening to music.

“It shows a variety of the different types of students we have and it also gives the faculty and staff a chance to interact with the students,” said Ringeisen.

The celebration is part of Welcome Week 2009, which also includes an open house at the Diversity Center, Involvement Expo on the Quad and the Foot in the Door Job Fair.

To also see slide show of welcome week activities click on the below link:
Welcome Week slide show

UIS launches new home page

A new and improved look has arrived on the UIS home page. Last spring and early summer, the UIS Office of Web Services received feedback on how to do just that. Many suggestions have been incorporated in the new page.

Some of the new features include a top row of useful links, a new web-based campus directory, a right-side menu for prospective and new students, hot topics, department highlights, and many more enhancements.

“It's been two years since we redesigned the UIS home page. Technology has changed and so have viewer preferences. We made changes based on our own research and incorporated features most requested by prospective and new students,” said Sherry Hutson, director of the office of web services.

There is an additional new feature - users can select from two color themes. One theme is darker and includes more color. For those who prefer it, there is also a theme with more subdued color and clear dark-on-light contrast for the text.

“Our staff works very hard on the design and programming of the page to make it attractive, functional, and accessible to a wide variety of users,” said Hutson.

Visitors to the website will notice that the way the university’s name appears on the website has changed. Effective immediately, the university is dropping use of the word “at” and will be known as University of Illinois Springfield or, simply, Illinois Springfield. This is a decision by the Chancellor’s Cabinet.

The change modernizes the UIS graphic identity and better reflects it's status as a U of I campus. It also addresses a very real confusion between “at” and “@” when used on the website, our most important recruitment tool. The change does not alter our legal, statutory name, nor does it require purging signage or documents where it does appear. In fact, the original name remains on very permanent structures such as entrance signage, the colonnade, and the tile floors in UHB and PAC.

This new presentation does not contradict anything already in place on campus but will represent the graphic identity to the outside world going forward. There will be a period of transition and, at times, it may seem confusing. If you have questions or concerns, please direct them to Derek Schnapp at dschn3@uis.edu or Michelle Green at mgree1@uis.edu.

Related Links:
UIS Home Page: www.uis.edu/
Office of Web Services: www.uis.edu/webservices/

Derek Schnapp selected as new director of public relations

The University of Illinois Springfield has selected Derek Schnapp as the new director of public relations in the Office of the Chancellor.

Schnapp, former communications manager for the Illinois Department of Corrections, succeeds Cheryl Peck, who retired on June 30 after 17 years as UIS' chief spokesperson.

"Derek's knowledge of the local community and his experience working with media statewide will be a big help as we strengthen our ties locally and expand our outreach in Illinois," said Richard D. Ringeisen, chancellor. "We are delighted to have him as the new spokesperson for UIS."

Schnapp worked at NewsChannel 20 in Springfield in a series of progressively responsible positions from 1990 to 2006. Among his positions there were assignments editor, executive producer, chief of photography, news photographer and sports anchor. He has a bachelor's degree in communication from Illinois State University.

His responsibilities at UIS include working directly with media; internal and external communication, and strategic planning. Schnapp will also serve as UIS' Freedom of Information Act officer.

"Being from this area, I know how important UIS is to this community. I am very excited to be a part of that," said Schnapp.

Board approves updating UIS Campus Master Plan

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved updating the University of Illinois at Springfield Campus Master Plan Thursday to include land owned by the university outside the ring road. The update builds on the current plan, which includes only land within the ring road. UIS own 745 acres of land, about 230 acres of which are inside the ring road.

The Campus Master Plan is a "blueprint" for long-term growth and development of the physical campus. According to UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen, the update was needed as UIS anticipates the need for modest campus expansion, additional services, and potential development outside the ring road. "We are talking about such things as a campustown-type mall, which would be located across from the townhouses on the west side of 11th Street," he said. "It could perhaps include a café, coffee shop, grocery store, pharmacy, pizza parlor, ice cream store, and more."

Ringeisen emphasized, however, that campustown won't become a reality until there is a private developer who feels there is enough traffic, enough students, and enough potential for businesses to survive, and is willing to partner with UIS. He noted that there are several reasons why campustown would be a viable investment. "The number of students living on campus has grown. This fall we have more than 1,000 residential students. Wal-Mart is now only two miles away, and more development such as apartments and a small mall has taken place on Toronto Road. That means traffic has increased on the 11th Street corridor even though the extension to Stevenson Drive is not yet complete."

He said other possible uses of land outside the ring road include additional athletic fields, active senior housing, and a golf driving range.

Pat Austin receives second annual CARE Award at UIS

Pat Austin, administrative aide in the Office of Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois at Springfield, is the recipient of the second annual Chancellor's Award to Recognize Excellence in Civil Service. The award was presented at a luncheon held September 18 in the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus.

The CARE Award, established jointly by UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen and the Civil Service Advisory Council, serves to "recognize the exceptional work of all civil service employees" and honors one employee each year.

The award is open to anyone who has held a civil service position on campus at least half time for at least three years. Criteria include demonstrated work ethic, attitude, commendable representation of civil service employees, and support of UIS. The recipient receives $500 for personal use, and an additional $500 is donated to a campus initiative of his/her choice.

Making the presentation, Chancellor Ringeisen observed that the award is made in recognition of "the wonderful things that people do to keep this campus operating every day."

"I'm very honored," said Austin. "People think I know everything, but I don't; I just know who to ask. I couldn't do my job without just about everyone in this room. Thank you"

Other nominees were: Sherri Boner, office manager, International Student Services; Sandy Bristow, office support specialist for the Legal Studies and Public Affairs Reporting departments; Kemy Brown, program administrative assistant for Project MSS and academic adviser for the Teacher Education department; Christi Crumly, business manager in the Athletics Department; Deborah Dove, chief clerk, Admissions; Cindy Ervin, transportation supervisor with Facilities and Services; Bobbie Fults, office support specialist for the Computer Science department; Karen Headrick, office support specialist, Business Administration department; Kathy Henry, food service worker; Jamie McGill, building service foreman; Normajean Niebur, office support specialist, Criminal Justice department; and Bev Weddle, office administrator in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Transition plan for Division of Student Affairs announced

Chancellor Ringeisen announced today a transition plan for the Division of Student Affairs, to be effective when Vice Chancellor Chris Miller leaves UIS to become the Vice President for Student Affairs at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Dr. Miller begins his new job there July 15.

First of all, a search for Dr. Miller's replacement will begin immediately. In fact, it has already begun, because the chancellor is in the process of consulting with the Campus Senate leadership to determine the makeup of the search committee. We hope to have a new vice chancellor in place by January 1, 2009.

There will not be an interim vice chancellor. Instead, two senior administrators in Student Affairs will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations. They are Steve Chrans, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and Dr. Marya Leatherwood, Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Enrollment Management/Associate Professor, Management. Both will be "interim assistant chancellors" and report to Ed Wojcicki, Associate Chancellor for Constituent Relations and Chief of Staff to the Chancellor. These interim titles and reporting lines are temporary and will end when the new vice chancellor is hired.

All units in Student Affairs will report either to Chrans or Dr. Leatherwood during the interim period. Chrans and Leatherwood met with division leaders today to inform them of these new plans.

Joining Chrans, Leatherwood and Wojcicki on an "interim senior management team" will be Tisha Palmer, the Student Affairs Office Administrator, and Chris Ryan, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Palmer and Ryan will continue to provide leadership to the entire division.

Another important change taking place this summer will be the re-establishment of an Administration Division. UIS used to have an Administrative Services division and vice chancellor, but that position was cut and the division split up a few years ago during times of severe budget cuts. Pending Board of Trustees approval, Dave Barrows will become Associate Chancellor for Administration. Dave will continue to serve in his role as executive director of Facilities and Services. Among the units moving into this division will be Facilities and Services from Student Affairs; and Conference Services from the Chancellor's Division. Also in this division will be the new Office of Sustainability and a new Parking Services unit. Other units may be added, but these are the first ones to be a part of the new division. The administrative aspect of parking services -- the selling of parking decals maintenance of parking records -- will move to this division from the Police Department. The changes to the administration of parking services are expected to take a few months or up to year, with Barrows and Police Chief Don Mitchell working together to provide a smooth transition

Finally, the reporting line for the Department of Athletics will move from Student Affairs to the Chancellor's Division, a strong preference of the NCAA as UIS makes the transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II.

"I am grateful to everyone who is stepping up at this time," Chancellor Ringeisen said. "We have a lot of great leadership who I am confident will continue to move UIS in pursuit of becoming one of the top five small public liberal arts universities in the nation. Everything we do, we do for students; that is how we have been operating, and that will continue."

Comments about these changes are welcome on Wojcicki's blog; go to

http://www.uis.edu/newsbureau/community/. Just click on the "comments" link under the most recent entry.

Vice Chancellor Miller to leave UIS

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From UIS Chancellor Richard D. Ringeisen:

It is with regret but also with sincere best wishes that I announce that Dr. Chris Miller, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Administrative Services, will leave UIS this summer to become Vice President for Student Affairs at Marquette University in Milwaukee. He is expected to leave in early July.

I consider Chris' departure a great professional loss for UIS, but I also have a strong sense of personal loss because he has been a wonderful colleague to me and, indeed, to all of us.

Chris leaves an important legacy that will benefit this university well into the future. He came to UIS in 2002 as Associate Vice Chancellor/Dean of Students during a critical juncture in our history and was ultimately promoted twice to his current position. In just six years, he met unprecedented needs for new student services and rapidly expanded student life even as UIS suffered budgetary downturns. Under his leadership, the residential campus grew significantly, enrollment reached record-breaking levels, the Recreation and Athletic Center opened, the university began the move to NCAA Division II status, and new traditions such as Homecoming and Springfest were established.

Chris was appointed Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs in spring 2003 and took on additional responsibilities in fall 2006 for administrative services. In that capacity, he supervised nearly half of all UIS employees in 18 units, including Enrollment Management, Housing and Residential Life, Athletics and Recreational Sports, Business and Financial Management, and Facilities and Services.

In his new position at Marquette, he will oversee almost all aspects of student life outside the classroom. Marquette is a premier Catholic, Jesuit doctoral university enrolling approximately 11,500 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 100 degree programs.

It is no surprise and certainly a compliment to UIS that a university of Marquette's stature would want Dr. Miller in its top ranks.

Please join me in wishing Chris all the best in his new venture.

A campus announcement will follow later about interim leadership while a search is conducted for Chris' successor.

Reception honors faculty achievements

Achievements by faculty in a variety of areas were recognized at the annual spring reception, held April 28 on campus. Chancellor Richard Ringeisen and Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Harry Berman presided over the ceremony honoring faculty members who have received tenure and/or promotion, been awarded sabbaticals, or granted emeritus status. The Pearson Faculty Award for Teaching, the Spencer Award for Service, the Oakley Award for Excellence in Online Teaching, and the Faculty Excellence Award were also presented. Read more>>