8.22.22
Hello, UIS!
Thanks so much to everyone who welcomed students to campus last week and to those who taught classes on Friday for our official first day. It’s so exciting to see the campus come alive! Please don’t forget: Our welcome-back activities continue this week. The Welcome Picnic is 4-6 p.m. today outside of the Student Union. It’s a great opportunity to mix and mingle with your colleagues and to show students our Prairie Star pride. Please come out and celebrate with us!
New Information
CDC COVID-19 Changes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) streamlined some of its COVID-19 guidance last week. Individuals who are not up-to-date on vaccinations no longer need to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19. They should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days, test five days after the exposure, and watch for symptoms.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you still must isolate from others for at least five days. If after five days your symptoms have improved and you no longer have a fever, you may end isolation. Wear a mask through Day 10.
Monkey Pox Preparation
UIS Health Services is in regular communication with Sangamon County Department of Public Health to support our plans for responding to cases of monkeypox on campus. We are prepared to offer testing and support for students who need it. To date, there are no known cases at UIS.
COLRS Updates
The Center for Online Learning, Research and Service is now offering drop-in office hours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. To join office hours, click on the COLRS Zoom Room. COLRS is also offering a series of workshops on topics to support your work this semester. For more info, visit uis.edu/colrs.
UIS Economic Impact
The UI System recently released the results of a survey that shows the collective economic impact of the System for fiscal year 2021 and breakdowns for each university. UIS added $694.2 million in income to the Illinois economy, and our impact supported 6,909 jobs. You can dive deeper into our results at uis.edu/impact. Share the good news!
Academic Impressions
A new academic year means setting new goals. Through our partnership with Academic Impressions, UIS employees and students can further their professional development thanks to newly available training resources that cover many insightful topics, including workplace wellness, gender equality, effective leadership and more. Take full advantage of these new resources today!
Information that Bears Repeating
SHIELD Testing Available in WUIS Building
Last week, we announced the reopening of a UIS SHIELD testing site in a new location on campus. Testing is available to active-status employees and students. Learn more.
Vaccine/Exemption Records
The baseline vaccination series is required for all employees and students living, learning and/or working on campus. Students must submit proof of vaccination or request an exemption no later than Sept. 1. Human Resources will work with new employees to document their compliance with our vaccination policy, and students should continue to upload records to their patient portal. Student instructions are available at uis.edu/uisunitedinsafety.
Last Friday’s Townhall Recording
We introduced new colleagues, heard about our budget projections and learned more about a new strategic investment funding initiative pertaining to academic revitalization last Friday. The townhall was recorded if you were unable to attend: uis.edu/chancellor.
Celebrating our Star Power
Gary Anderson has been named the UIS Employee of the Month for August 2022. He works as a business administrative associate for UIS Online, Professional, and Engaged Learning (OPEL). “His ability to balance a huge number and variety of tasks and create relationships across campus quickly improved the function of all our units,” said his nominator. “Where there had been headaches, there are now solutions.” Congrats, Gary!
Cameryn Hodges, a rising UIS Communication Senior and Peer Mentor in the UIS Career Development Center, will cover the Aug. 29 launch of the Artemis 1 Mission later this month at the Kennedy Space Center. Cameryn and other digital creators were selected to attend this three-day event and will have the opportunity to tour NASA facilities at The Kennedy Space Center, meet and interact with subject matter experts, meet members of the NASA's social media team, and view the LIVE launch of NASA’s Space Launch Systems Rocket and Orion Capsule. Follow her via her public platforms as she keeps reaching for stars!
The Division of Student Affairs announced the following award winners at their annual summer retreat. Congrats to the winners, and thank you for your hard work.
- Student Affairs Award for Excellence: Kristin Nisbit-White
- Students First Award: The Diversity Center
- Quality Service Award: Anna Schoenherr
- New Student Affairs Member Award: Kayla Ward
- Kindness & Civility Award: Kim Rutherford
Let’s have a great semester, focused on our No. 1 priority: our wonderful students!
Janet
Janet L. Gooch, PhD
Chancellor University of Illinois Springfield