11.24.25
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
I hope you all find time this week to rest, recharge and enjoy a meal with friends, family or anyone who brings joy to your life. As we move into the final stretch of the semester, I’m grateful for the dedication and care you bring to our campus community each day. Wishing you a warm, relaxing and well-deserved holiday break.
New Information
University Experience Survey
The University Experience Survey deadline is extended to Nov. 26. Please remind students to take the survey, if you have the opportunity. The survey is sent from SoundRocket, our contracted survey research firm, and the anonymous information collected will provide valuable insights to help improve the university experience. Learn more on the University Experience Survey webpage. If you would like to provide additional feedback about your university experience, you may do so using the OIRE Feedback Form. Submissions can be made anonymously.
VCERM Search Update
After reviewing the feedback from the two finalists we interviewed earlier this month and engaging in significant reflection, I have decided to briefly pause the search to gain a clearer understanding of the upcoming ERM division review and its implications for the direction of the division. Once the review timeline and scope are finalized, we will reassess the search and develop an updated timeline and path forward. Thank you to everyone involved with this important search.
Cybersecurity Training
In an effort to educate the UIS community about cybersecurity, ITS provides training through the University of Illinois System’s Security Education Platform. Available topics include guarding against ransomware; phishing detection and defense; and spotting scams and social engineering. These trainings are marked as either required or optional – please log into the platform to be sure you are up to date on any required training and consider reviewing the optional courses as well. Higher education institutions are frequent targets of ransomware attacks and phishing attempts. The better informed you are, the easier it is to identify these attempts and protect yourself and the university from potential disruption or damages.
Closure of LRH’s Great Room, Seminar Room and Prayer Room
As of Nov. 14, the LRH Great Room, Seminar Room and Prayer Room are closed due to roofing repairs. Residence Life and Facilities are working with those who have already made reservations for these spaces. If your unit or organization has traditionally met in these spaces, please contact the Student Union, Classroom Services or other campus areas to inquire about space availability. More information can be found on Orbit.
Nominate for the Promising Prairie Star Recognition Program
Know a promising Prairie Star? The Promising Prairie Star Recognition Program shines a light on rising UIS alumni who are under 40 or early in their careers and already making meaningful contributions in their fields and communities. Created in 2024, it celebrates innovation, creativity and early accomplishments. Submit your nomination by Dec. 15 on Orbit.
Special Illini Football Ticket Offer
UIS students, staff, families and friends can take advantage of a special $10 ticket price to cheer on the Fighting Illini as they take on Northwestern for Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 29. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a day of football fun and shared school spirit.
Free Kaplan Test Prep for Graduates
As faculty and staff, you can help our fall graduates prepare for what’s next by encouraging them to enroll in Kaplan’s free test prep program. Students receive a full year of access to test prep for admission exams, licensures and career-readiness courses when they sign up before graduating. Learn more at Kaplan's website.
Josh’s Bench
A bright yellow bench (a.k.a. Josh's Bench) is now located outside the Admissions Office on the south side of UHB. The bench serves as a reminder for the campus community that help is available to those struggling with mental health needs. Thank you to the faculty, staff, students, and campus stakeholders who made this donation to the campus possible.
Department Newsletters
The November Strategic Communication newsletter is available and includes several important updates regarding accessibility requirements from the web and social media teams.
Upcoming Events
- ITS Workshops: Planning for Disaster Recovery Failover Exercise: 2-2:30 p.m. Dec. 3. in UHB 2001 and 10-10:30 a.m. Dec. 9. in UHB 2009. Information Technology Services will conduct a planned Disaster Recovery (DR) Failover Exercise on Jan. 6 to prepare the university for a major IT disruption. To help your unit prepare, each team is encouraged to send at least one representative to an upcoming workshop. Sessions are available in person or via Zoom, and no registration is required.
- Chancellor’s Thinkers Series: We’re All in This Together: 5-6:15 p.m. Dec. 3. in the Student Union Ballroom. Mylas Copeland and I will explore what it means to give back, build bridges across differences and invest in the people and partnerships that strengthen our shared future. The program is free and open to the public with refreshments to follow.
Check the employee events calendar on Orbit for more opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate together.
Information that Bears Repeating
Labor Relations Updates
For updates on current negotiations with the university’s employee unions, please visit the UIS Bargaining website. The university has been negotiating with the UPI Local 4100 Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty Union since July, and with UPI Clerical, Service and Technical civil service staff since May. The University remains committed to working with all unions to come to a fair and fiscally responsible agreement.
Save the Date: RISE Professional Development Retreat, Feb. 6
Mark your calendars for the annual RISE Professional Development Retreat on Feb. 6 — a day dedicated to connection, growth and inspiration for UIS employees.
Celebrating Our Star Power
Dre Duvendack Visk, program coordinator for Gender & Sexuality Student Services and interim program director for the Women’s Center, is the November Employee of the Month. Her supervisor says, “Her leadership and initiative have helped foster a more equitable and student-centered environment and her contributions have had a lasting impact on the campus community.”
The University of Illinois Springfield’s Sangamon Experience documentary, “Soil & Soul: Farming in the Sangamon River Valley,” has won the award for Best Documentary Film at the Route 66 Film Festival. This recognition is a testament to the incredible work that went into the project, both the documentary and the exhibit.
Lindsey Feger, graphics manager, was recognized with a Student Affairs Kudos Award. Her nominator shared, “Lindsey was extremely helpful when I was in a crunch for time. … Her consideration was greatly appreciated and helped me meet a fast-approaching deadline!”
Associate Professor Tih-Fen Ting, director of the School of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health, has played a pivotal role in restoring the osprey population in Illinois. Since her work began in 2013, the number of known breeding pairs has grown from just 16 to 90 in 2023. Learn more about her efforts, the challenges she faces, and what comes next on UIS Newsroom.
Jason Pierceson, professor of political science in the School of Politics and International Affairs, has published a new article analyzing how the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision is influencing federal judges’ approaches to transgender rights. The article was published in Politics, Groups and Identities, a journal of the Western Political Science Association. Read about Pierceson’s article on UIS Newsroom.
Getting to Know You
Wayne Davenport, associate vice chancellor for Advancement, says one of the best parts of his job is meeting UIS alumni and friends and hearing their stories. “It’s rewarding to connect those passions to the university’s and colleges’ priorities,” he says. His interest in fundraising started as an undergraduate scholarship recipient, where he saw firsthand the impact of philanthropy. When he’s not on campus, he enjoys staying active in the community and keeping up with his son’s busy schedule. Read more about Wayne on Orbit.
Wishing you each a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Janet
Janet L. Gooch, Ph.D.
Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield
P.S. If you have a topic you’d like me to consider for my newsletter, submit your idea here. I always appreciate the opportunity to showcase your news, events and accomplishments. Highlighting the outstanding work happening across our campus community allows us to celebrate your achievements, promote engagement and share the many ways UIS continues to make a positive impact.