8.4.25

Happy August, everyone — 

Last week, Cabinet held a retreat at the Lake Springfield Field Station. It was a great opportunity for each member of the Cabinet to share their progress on top priorities and discuss our individual and collective goals for the Fall 2025 semester.

The start of the academic year is just around the corner, with move-in day on Aug. 20 and the annual Faculty-Staff Kickoff at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 21 in the Student Union Ballroom, followed by New Student Convocation at Sangamon Auditorium and a campus celebration on the Quad.

New Information

Parking Permit Renewal

If you purchase your parking permit through payroll deduction, your permit is automatically renewed and has been delivered to your campus address. If your parking permit does not automatically renew, please visit the Parking Operations site to purchase a new parking permit.

Convocation Video

We’d love to showcase our UIS spirit to our incoming Prairie Stars by featuring short welcome videos during Convocation. You, and/or you and your team, are invited to submit a quick (10 seconds or less) greeting. It could be as simple as, “Welcome, Prairie Stars!” Please submit your video by August 10 to be included. 

Charlie Schweighauser

Emeritus Professor Charles “Charlie” Schweighauser passed away on July 15. He was a significant figure in the history of SSU and UIS, best known for launching Star Parties that continue to this day. Over the years, he remained actively involved with the university and attended many campus events.

Cabling Installation in UHB

Cabling work for the VAV (Variable Air Volume) infrastructure on the 4th floor of UHB began on July 30 and is expected to be completed in 2-3 weeks. There may be work materials in the hallways and some areas may experience temporary fluctuations in room temperature. We appreciate your patience as campus improvement projects occur.

ITS transitions to UISPreauth network

Information Technology Services (ITS) is transitioning personal devices from the UISBYOD wireless network to the UISPreauth network to improve compatibility with a wider range of devices, including gaming consoles, smart TVs and other equipment that cannot connect to UISWifi.

If you currently have a device connected to the UISBYOD network, follow the instructions on Orbit to migrate your device(s) to the UISPreauth network.

NorthStar Updates

Progress continues on our NorthStar strategic priorities. As part of the Academic Portfolio Review, academic units submitted program-level data to the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness earlier this year. That data has since been validated and scored by OIRE, using a rubric developed by the Academic Portfolio Review Task Force. Each program’s scorecard, summarizing the results of this review, will be shared with unit executive officers by the Provost in early August. This marks an important step toward data-informed decision-making and greater institutional alignment.   

Digital Student ID

 All students can now access their Digital Student ID through the UIS Mobile App. This ID can be used to check in at campus events and to verify student status for discounts at businesses. It's also a convenient option for students who may not come to campus to receive a physical ID. Faculty, please let your students know about this new feature available in the app.

New Bocce and Pickleball Courts

Thanks to the Provost's Good Idea Fund and the dedicated work of the Grounds Crew, UIS now has two Bocce ball courts available at Rec Park for the campus community to enjoy. Equipment can be checked out from TRAC or FRH. 

In addition, through funding from the Mental Health Early Action on Campus grant, two new outdoor pickleball courts were installed. One is located at Rec Park and the other is on the basketball court near Lot H. Pickleball equipment is also available for checkout at TRAC and FRH.

Online Human Services Master’s Program

UIS’ Online Human Services Master's Program has been named one of the Best Online Master’s in Human Services of 2025 by Forbes Advisor. Read more on UIS Newsroom.

Department Newsletters

The Office of Strategic Communications has launched a monthly newsletter featuring new website features, social media data highlights and upcoming communication plans. Read more on Orbit.

The July Facilities and Services newsletter includes important updates on the PAC plumbing project, PAC elevators and Library Commons construction. Check out the Library Commons livestream to see the progress of the project. Thank you for your patience during these renovations.

Remember, you can subscribe to department newsletters to receive an email notification when they are posted.

Upcoming Events

• Ensuring High Impact Practices Across Campus: 10-11:45 a.m. Aug. 5. Student Union Ballroom. The High Impact Practices (HIPs) Subcommittee invites you to listen to a presentation by Dr. Ashley Finley from the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). RSVP here.
• Employee Development Series: Leaves of Absence: 9-10 a.m. Aug. 6. Presented by Heather Moore, human resources associate, this session explores leave types/benefits, how/when to apply for a leave of absence with HR, and how/when to report leave in our timekeeping systems. Join the virtual session.
• AI Detection Workshop: 3-4 p.m. Aug. 20. Join ITS and COLRS staff for our Demystifying AI Detectors workshop in person (location TBA) and on Zoom. 
• Faculty-Staff Academic Year Kickoff: 2:30-4 p.m. Aug. 21. Learn our playbook for the upcoming year, and meet new faculty and administrative staff. Following Kickoff, join us for Convocation in the Sangamon Auditorium and a party on the quad with free food.

Check the employee events calendar on Orbit for more opportunities to learn and engage across campus.

Information that Bears Repeating

Zoom AI Companion

AI Companion, Zoom’s generative AI assistant, became available Aug. 1. To learn more about its capabilities, visit Orbit.

Hiring Student Staff for Fall 2025

Planning to hire students for fall 2025? Mark your calendar for the annual Foot in the Door Fair from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 28. Registration is required. 

Wi-Fi Upgrade

ITS is implementing a campus-wide infrastructure refresh as part of our efforts to improve Wi-Fi performance. Please check the UIS Wi-Fi Upgrade page to see when your building is being updated.

Celebrating Our Star Power

• On July 17, following a campus-level review, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved the promotions of four UIS faculty members and the tenure and promotions of 10 others. View the full list on Orbit.
• I am pleased to announce that 11 faculty members have been reappointed in accordance with the Faculty Personnel Policy governing second- and fourth-year reviews of probationary faculty. Read more on Orbit.
• Congratulations to Jacob Friefeld, director of the Center for Lincoln Studies, who was featured as a historical expert on the new HBO Max and Magnolia Network series Back to the Frontier. The series immerses three modern-day families in the rugged realities of 1880s life—without modern conveniences—offering viewers an authentic glimpse into frontier living. Read more on UIS Newsroom.
• A UIS survey, conducted by Ann Strahle, interim associate dean and professor in the College of Public Affairs and Education, and Jason Piscia, associate professor and director of UIS’ Public Affairs Reporting program, found major differences in how Illinois high schools are teaching media literacy, as required by a 2021 state law. Learn more on UIS Newsroom.
• Congratulations and thank you to the following faculty members for their role at the 2025 Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress in Chicago in late June. These individuals showcased the incredible work we are doing in sustainability, environmental research and innovation: Tih-Fen Ting, Tom Rothfus, Kyle Blount, Megan Styles, Hei-Chi Chan, Brandon Derman, Anne-Marie Hanson, Neetu Singh, Hua Chen, Suyang Yu and Michael Chuang.
• Akash Belsare, assistant professor in the Department of English and Modern Languages, is a part of the 2025-26 cohort for the University of Illinois System OpEd Project/Public Voices Fellowship. The program is part of a national initiative to help faculty amplify their expertise in ways that can contribute to public conversations about pressing issues.
• Jeff Williams, graphic designer, has completed his mural project at Jaycee Park, with the help of three students and the director of the Springfield Arts Association. See Williams and his mural in The State Journal-Register.
• Congratulations to Amanda Weibring, associate registrar in Records and Registration, who has been named the July Employee of the Month. She is recognized for her exceptional leadership, positive attitude and dedication to supporting students and staff.

Do you know an exceptional employee who deserves to be an Employee of the Month? Nominate them now!

Getting to Know You

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Starting this month, I will resume providing these updates every other week to keep you informed. 

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.