Peace Corps Visiting

Come learn about the Peace Corps, meet returned volunteers, and talk with recruiters!

A Peace Corps Video and Information Session will be held on Monday, February 4 at 6:00 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center, Conference Room H.

No pre-registration required. For questions or more information, contact Aimee Schattner at 312-353-5210 or achattner@peacecorps.gov.

CTL Workshops!

The Center for Teaching and Learning is holding a workshop called "Prewriting Strategies and Thesis Statements” today, Tuesday, January 29 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Brookens Library, room 413.

Don’t know how to start that huge essay due next week? Not sure what a thesis statements does or how to form one? Come to this workshop and learn!

The CTL is also putting on another workshop on Thursday, January 31 from 5-6 p.m. in Brookens 413 called "Speed Reading Techniques."

Want to learn how to read quickly and remember what you just read? Do you need to learn how to scan several journals to find the right articles to use for your research paper? Bring your reading materials with you to the workshop so that you can apply what you've learned immediately!

To contact the Center for Teaching and Learning, go online to www.uis.edu/ctl or call 217-206-6503.

Employee of the Year Reception

The Employee of the Year Reception for 2007 will be held on Tuesday, February 5 at 3:30 p.m. in the Sangamon Auditrium Lobby.

The 2007 Employees of the Month will be recognized including Dale Abeln, Pat Austin, Brian Beckerman, Lisa Clemmons-Stott, Kathryn Kleeman, Patsy Nation, John Ringle, Doug Sheley, Melanie Smith, Bill Ulery, Kristie Wilson.

The event is sponsored by the Employee of Month committee, and refreshments will be served.

Learn about Heart Health!

UIS Campus Health Service is sponsoring an exhibit on Monday, February 4 at 8:30 a.m.

They will be giving out Heart Health information with free Red Dress pins to wear to promote education and awareness of heart disease in women.

The booth will be located in the Public Affairs Center Concourse, so stop by!

Pre-Calc II Workshop

The Center for Teaching and Learning is holding the second of the Pre-Calculus Series Math Workshops with Pre-Calculus II on Wednesday, January 30 at 3 p.m. in Brookens Library, room 460.

Topics will include: Factoring and Operations on Polynomials including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

For more information, please contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 206-6503 or ctlmath@uis.edu.

Online Writing Workshop

The Center for Teaching and Learning is hosting an online writing workshop called "Critical Reading Strategies: PRO."

The workshop will be held on Friday, February 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Elluminate will be used. Registration will close Wednesday, January 29.

To register for the workshop, email ctlwrite@uis.edu with your name and the workshop title; registrations are communicated through email only, and to cancel your registration, use email as well.

For more information, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at www.uis.edu/ctl or 217-206-6503.

Dyer Speaking at ECCE Series Event

The Office of Undergraduate Education is hosting an ECCE Speakers Series Event tonight, Monday, January 28 at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium.

Dr. Gwynne Dyer will be speaking on "Climate Wars: Politics and Geopolitics of Climate Change." The event is free and open to the public, and an informal reception will follow. The event will be also be available via live webcast at http://www.uis.edu/technology/uislive.html.

Dr. Dyer is a London-based independent Canadian journalist, syndicated columnist and military historian. His twice-weekly column on international affairs is published by 175 newspapers in 45 countries and is translated into more than a dozen languages. Additional information about Dr. Dyer is available on his web site at http://www.gwynnedyer.net/

International Festival Coming Our Way

UIS is hosting the 30th annual International Festival, a celebration of food and culture around the world, on Sunday, January 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center.

Tickets are available for $10 for the general public and $5 for students without a valid I-card and for children ages 7 to 17. Children under 6 and current UIS students with a valid I-card are FREE.

The tickets include exhibits, food and performances, and can be purchased in advance or at the door starting at 3 p.m.

ISEC information session

The Illinois Student Environmental Coalition is holding a Legislative Conference Information Session on Thursday, January 24 at 4 p.m. at the Food Emporium in the Public Affairs Center.

ISEC unites student environmental organizations that are committed to improving environmental practives at colleges and universities by facilitating the exchange of resources and ideas. The event is also co-hosted by Campus Greens, Students Allied for a Greener Earth (SAGE) and UIS.

The ISEC Legislative Conference is a 2-day event dedicated to teaching students across Illinois about environmental policy and other issues.

For more information, contact Doug Marks at dmarks@elpc.org or Wes King at wking02s@uis.edu.

Networking Prep

The UIS Career Development Center is holding a Career Fair Prep Workshop on Thursday, January 24 from 5 to 6 p.m. in preparation for the 10th Annual Springfield Collegiate Career Fair at the TRAC on Friday, February 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Prep Workshop will go over what to expect at the career fair and help participants create a target list. Quick resume tips will be given, as well as preparation tips for before, during and after the fair, and participants can work on a pitch and networking skills.

Business casual attire is required at the career fair, and students are reminded to bring plenty of resumes.

The Career Development Center will also be holding walk-in or call-in hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday so that students can get assistance with their resume, portfolio and general practice. For more information, contact the center at careerservices@uis.edu or 206-6508 or go online here.

Learn More about Service Learning Immersion Courses!

The Service Learning program at UIS is holding two information sessions today, Wednesday, January 23, for those interested in summer immersion courses at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center Conference Room E.

Two immersion courses for the Summer of 2008 will spend time in Los Angeles and Europe. These courses can give students the opportunity to travel, perform meaningful service and earn college credit.

Can’t make the info session? Contact kguthrie@uis.edu or servicelearning@uis.edu.

For more information on the service learning program, read the feature story here.

A Peace Movement

"A Peace Movement" will be held on Thursday, January 24, in the Public Affairs Center rooms C/D from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dr. Proshanta Nandi, Emeriti Professor Sociology at UIS, will be speaking on "The Impact Gandhi had on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Participants are encouraged to bring your lunch for a brownbag discussions.

Nandi, born in India, received master's degrees in both commerce and economics. Then as sociology was coming to India during the late fifties, Nandi obtained his third master’s degree in sociology from Gorakhpur University in India. A few years later, he successfully competed for a Fulbright Scholarship leading to his admission to the University of Minnesota, where he obtained his fourth master’s, and his Ph.D.

RAD course starting

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) for Women at UIS will be starting in February as a free training for all UIS women students, staff and faculty.

RAD will be held Wednesday evenings - February 6, 13, 20, 27 - from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

RAD partners, Sgt. Mike Stuart and Ofc. Amanda Parris from the UIS Police, will be joining forces with the UIS Women's Center for this 12-hour self-defense course. To learn more about RAD check out this website: http://www.uis.edu/police/rad.htm

To enroll or for more information on rape prevention, recovery and support, contact the UIS Women's Center at 206-7173 or womenscenter@uis.edu.

Taking on Pre-Calc

The Center for Teaching and Learning is holding the first of the Pre-Calculus Series Math Workshops with Pre-Calculus I.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m. in Brookens 412.

In this workshop we will take on:
• Fractions
• Radicals
• Exponents

For more information, contact the Center at 206-6503 or ctlmath@uis.edu.

Tribute to King

This week marks the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and UIS is holding several events in his honor.

Today, Tuesday, January 22, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at UIS will present a “Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.” in Brookens Auditorium from 4 to 6 p.m.

The special guest speaker is Rev. Samuel Hale Jr., who worked alongside several prominent Civil Rights leaders during a critical time in the nations’ history and has participated in multiple marches with Dr. King.

Members of UIS Forensics and the UIS Theatre group will provide an inspirational reading from excerpts of Dr. King's speeches. There will also be a spiritual solo by Paula Irby, a dedicated Christian soloist and vocalist.

Trivia Night!

UIS is holding a Trivia Night, sponsored by the UIS Alumni Accountancy Committee, on Saturday, January 26 at 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 2200 Meadowbrook Rd.

The night of fun, networking and trivia will benefit UIS Scholarships. There will also be door prizes, cash prizes for the top three teams, a 50/50 drawing, and a cash bar! (Bring your own snacks, please.)

The cost is $10 per person or $100 per group.

For more information or to register, contact Chris Mower at 862-2702 or cmower@crowechizek.com, or contact alumni relations at 206-7395 or alumni@uis.edu.

Open House at Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs is holding an open house today, Thursday, January 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The office invites students and other campus members to meet the staff and enjoy refreshments while learning about new programs, events and services of the office. The office is located in the Visual Performing Arts building (VPA) 161.

See you there!

Bowling for the English Club

The English Club will be holding a Bowling Night fundraiser to raise money for English Club activities, such as Open Mic Night. The event will be Monday, January 21 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Kingpin Lanes.

The cost is $15 which includes the cost of shoes. English Club members will also be selling home-made goodies, so participants in the bowling fundraiser are encouraged to bring some cash if they are interested in purchasing cookies, brownies or other such treats.

If you need a ride, please bring one form of ID and meet in the Student Center of the Student Life Building at 8:30 p.m. Email ethai2@uis.edu to reserve a ride.

Show us what you got!

The annual Talent Expo is taking place on Friday, February 15 at 7 p.m.

Auditions to be a part of the expo are taking place from January 21 through January 25 at the Homer Butler Commons from 3 to 6 p.m. Auditions will also be held in the Lincoln Residence Hall Great Room from January 28 through February 1, also from 3 to 6 p.m.

To schedule an audition time, please call 206-7122.

The Talent Expo is sponsored by the UIS Counseling Center and the Substance Abuse Task Force.

Uniformity on Display

A group of photographs called Uniformity by Liz Murphy Thomas, Professor of Graphic Design and Digital Media at UIS, will be on display at the Visual Arts Gallery from Thursday, January 17, through Thursday, February 14.

An artist’s talk will be presented at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 17 in the gallery, followed by an opening reception, including food and refreshments, from 6 to 8 p.m. The artist’s talk, reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

The Visual Arts Gallery is located in room 201 of the Health and Sciences Building on the UIS campus. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Join the Campus Ensembles

Campus ensembles are gearing up for the spring semester at UIS. To join the UIS Band, Chorus, or Chamber Orchestra, simply attend rehearsal sessions. Membership is free and auditions are not required. All student, faculty, staff, and community member musicians are welcome to participate.

Today, Monday, January 14 is the first rehearsal of the UIS Concert Band. Rehearsal is from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in room 33 of the Visual and Performing Arts Building (VPA 33). The Band rehearses every Monday from 4 to 6 p.m.

UIS Chorus rehearses Tuesdays from 7 to 9:15 p.m. and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and UIS Chamber Orchestra rehearses Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Like the Band, all rehearsals meet in room 33 of the Visual and Performing Arts Building on the east side of the UIS campus.

Academic credit is available to those who have been admitted to study at UIS. For information on enrolling in any of these ensembles for credit, go to http://www.uis.edu/ or phone the Registration Office at 206-6174.

For more information, including performance schedules and directions to the rehearsal room, contact UIS Music at 206-8405 or music@uis.edu, or go to www.uis.edu/music.

Project Vote Smart

Project Vote Smart, a national bus tour will make a stop on campus at UIS on Tuesday, January 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Lincoln Residence Hall.

Participants in the project will be able to watch a brief movie and learn how to research candidates and elected officials.

The event is sponsored by Student Affairs & Administrative Services, College Greens, College Democrats, Student Government Association, and the Public Administration Department.

Welcome Week!

Welcome Week, January 14 through 18, is full of activities as students enter campus life or return to campus after a well-deserved winter break.

The Office of Student Life is hosting the following campus events during Welcome Week:

Monday, January 14 - Mentalist Chris Carter at 9:30 p.m. in the Food Emporium

Wednesday, January 16 - Involvement Expo from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the PAC Concourse

Thursday, January 17 - Welcome Week Movie at 9:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium

Friday, January 18 - Musician Meg Allison at 8:30 p.m. in the LRH Great Room

Saturday, January 19 - Karaoke from 8-10 p.m. in the Food Emporium

For more information on the Office of Student Life, click here.

Involvement Expo

The Spring 2008 Involvement Expo will be held on Wednesday, January 16 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center Concourse, lower level.

The Involvement Expo, which is held each semester, provides student organizations and campus departments the opportunity to showcase their interests and goals. Come on out to check out information on student organizations and discover ways you can get involved with campus life!

'UIS Families of Many Colors' Exhibit

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs is putting together an exhibit of "UIS Families of Many Colors," consisting of photos taken of UIS students, faculty and staff with their families.

The exhibit will promote all UIS families with hopes of demonstrating families of every population including non-traditional families who have bridged the racial divide through interracial relationships or adoption.

To be part of the exhibit, send a good quality PDF, jpg or tiff and a creative description of your family to the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Photos and release consent forms should be emailed to jjone1@uis.edu or brought to the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs by March 15 to be displayed in April.

The exhibit location will be announced at a later date. For more information, contact Jeannie Mingeaud Jones at 217-206-6584 or jjone1@uis.edu.