The following message was emailed to all UIS students on Thursday, April 16, regarding the Faculty Union strike:

Dear Students,

We know you may have questions about how the ongoing strike involving tenured and tenure-track faculty at UIS, now in its second week, may affect your academic progress.

First and foremost, we want to reassure you that UIS will do everything possible to support your ability to meet your course objectives and make progress toward your degree. UIS is hopeful that a contract agreement will be reached soon and classes taught by striking faculty members will resume.

No matter how long the strike lasts, the University has plans in place to support you in completing the semester. We will reach out again next week with additional details if those plans become necessary to implement.

In the meantime, please continue attending your classes unless you are notified by your professor that a class is canceled. We also encourage you to keep up with any reading or assignments. It is the University’s expectation that classes taught by faculty who are not members of this union are proceeding as scheduled. In addition, some faculty members who are members of this union have opted not to participate in a work stoppage.

Please reach out to the Dean of Students Office with questions or concerns regarding your academic experience or progress by emailing deanofstudents@uis.edu. A member of our office will connect with the appropriate dean’s office to ensure your matter is addressed in a timely manner.

Below are answers to some questions we are receiving:

How will the strike affect my ability to meet graduation requirements or participate in the May 9 commencement ceremonies?

It is important to continue to keep up with any assigned reading or assignments outlined in your course syllabus and posted in Canvas. If you are concerned about specific courses required for graduation this semester, email deanofstudents@uis.edu to share that information for follow-up.

The May 9 commencement ceremonies will take place as planned, and all students who applied to graduate and RSVP’d to attend the ceremony can still do so. The Commencement Committee is communicating with all graduating students via UIS email and the Commencement website.

What happens if I can’t complete the remaining coursework or exams in my class? 

We are committed to minimizing negative impacts to your academic progress. We will provide options, such as plans for makeup work, adjusted timelines, and extended deadlines. These will be communicated to you as they are finalized.

Please continue to complete any reading or assignments in accordance with your course syllabus.

Will my grade or GPA be affected for things out of my control?

We are committed to minimizing negative impacts to your academic progress, including GPA. You will not be penalized for disruptions outside your control. Options such as grade change petitions and make-up options will be communicated to you once they are finalized. 

What happens if the faculty are still striking during Finals Week (May 4-9)?

The University is working diligently to resolve the work stoppage and sincerely hopes it does not impact Finals Week. If there are any necessary changes to finals for specific courses, they will be communicated to students closer to the date of finals.

What else can I do to continue to make progress in my classes that are not being held?

Resources like the Library and The Learning Hub are available for study support and can assist individual students or peer study groups.

Resources available to students

This is a tough moment, and it’s OK if it’s taking a toll on you. Uncertainty around classes, grades and timelines can be stressful, but your well-being matters more than any deadline.

Staying connected with friends can help, and even a quick check-in or shared study time can make things feel more manageable.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out—whether it’s a friend, family member, or the UIS Counseling Center at 217-206-7122.

I encourage you to check the UIS bargaining website for the latest updates and our FAQ section for students.

Jantzen Eddington

UIS Dean of Students