5.4.26

Dear UIS Community:

The 55th annual commencement will take place on Saturday, May 9, at the Bank of Springfield Center. A total of 1,020 students will participate in the ceremonies.

At 12:30 p.m., we will celebrate graduates from the College of Health, Science and Technology and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Later, at 5:30 p.m., we will recognize graduates from the College of Business and Management and the College of Public Affairs and Education. We are also proud to have Dathan Powell, associate professor of theatre, serving as this year’s faculty grand marshal, and to honor alumnus W. Robert Felker with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at the 5:30 p.m. ceremony for his distinguished finance career and longstanding service to the University of Illinois Foundation. 

This milestone is a shared accomplishment, made possible by the unwavering commitment of our extraordinary faculty and staff. I look forward to celebrating together and honoring the remarkable achievements of our graduates.

New Information

Public Affairs Center Temporary Closure

The Public Affairs Center (PAC) will temporarily close from May 12 to June 8 to support the completion of a major plumbing infrastructure project, which requires a full building water shutdown. During this period, all units will operate from temporary or remote locations. Units are responsible for updating their contact information during this time, including the campus directory, email signatures and unit webpages, to ensure continued access to services. 

Construction is expected to be substantially complete by mid-June, with cleaning and phased move-ins beginning shortly thereafter. The university anticipates most units returning to PAC by late July, with full building operations resuming ahead of the fall semester. For more details, please visit Orbit. Please stay tuned for future announcements and schedule updates.

Bryan Rives Retires as Director of UIS Performing Arts Center

Bryan Rives announced his retirement as director of the UIS Performing Arts Center, effective June 30. After nine years in the role, he led renovations of both the Studio Theatre and Sangamon Auditorium and brought major artists, concerts and Broadway performances to campus. Sarah Brewer, the current director of development, will serve as interim director, effective July 1.

FY27 Benefit Choice Enrollment

The Benefit Choice enrollment period runs through June 1. If you do not wish to change health, dental, life or dependent coverage, your current elections will continue. Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts require enrollment or re-enrollment each year. Read about the Benefit Choice FY 2027 changes on Orbit.   

End of Fiscal Year Reminder

The fiscal year ends on June 30. As you review your budgets, please avoid using remaining funds for unnecessary or non-essential purchases. Any unspent funds can be applied toward reducing our deficit and strengthening the university’s financial position.

Title II Digital Accessibility Compliance 

The University of Illinois Springfield has achieved 100% website compliance as of April 17, 2026—surpassing the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) original April 24, 2026 deadline. This milestone reflects the significant efforts and collaboration of the Web Team and the Office of Digital Accessibility, whose work has been instrumental in advancing accessible web standards across campus. Achieving full compliance means that UIS websites now meet established accessibility requirements, improving usability for individuals with disabilities, including those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation and other assistive technologies.

Although the federal deadline has been extended to April 24, 2027, UIS’ commitment to digital accessibility remains unchanged. The university will continue to maintain compliance and prioritize accessible design in all web content moving forward.

Upcoming Events

• Rethinking In-Class Learning: 1-2 p.m. May 8. Online. The Central and Southern Illinois Faculty Development Network will explore the balance between in-class and out-of-class work, how that may change course design and what might students gain from that shift.
• End of Academic Year Party: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 11. North Patio of the Student Union. Enjoy a delicious lunch, provided by Nelson's Catering, with your colleagues, celebrating the end of the academic year. Special thanks to Nelson's Catering for generously sponsoring the event and helping make this celebration possible. 
• Refresh, Reset, Reorganize: A Summer Digital Wellness - Box Team Folder: 9:30-10 a.m. May 12. UHB 2028 or online. Discover why Box Team folders are ideal for unit‑wide collaboration, ensuring shared files belong to the team—not an individual who might move on. 

Check the employee events calendar on Orbit for more opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate together.

Information that Bears Repeating

New Enterprise Resource Planning Platform

The University of Illinois System is launching a Business Modernization and Transformation effort to replace our long‑standing Banner system with a modern, cloud‑based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform to improve our core processes. Learn more on Orbit.

Annual Evaluations

The Annual Evaluation Process for Academic Professional and Civil Service employees has begun, with a new electronic form. Evaluations must be submitted to Human Resources no later than the close of business June 5. More information is on Orbit.

Sangamon Experience launches "Beyond City Limits"

The Sangamon Experience is launching a new initiative, “Beyond City Limits.” This summer program will document and digitize local historical materials while also developing engaging curriculum resources that help students explore the history and stories connected to these collections. The initiative is made possible by a donation from the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. Learn more on UIS Newsroom.

AASCU Planning Collaborative

UIS was one of 10 institutions selected for the 2026 cohort of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Strategic Planning Collaborative. This initiative, funded by the Gates Foundation, supports senior consultants from AASCU Consulting to facilitate processes for participating universities to develop a strategic roadmap for their next strategic plan that leverages promising practices and reflects a commitment to student outcomes. AASCU is the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, which represents more than 500 regional public colleges, universities and systems.  

Getting to Know You

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I hope to see you at commencement,

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.