Dear students, faculty and staff:

As we begin the spring semester, it is important to remain vigilant to protect ourselves against COVID-19. Core to this is the science-based decision-making process we have followed from the very beginning, using guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Illinois Department of Public Health and relevant campus and community scientific analyses.

Linda M. Delene has been named interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Illinois Springfield. She will begin her role on Monday, Jan. 9, with the U of I Board of Trustees expected to complete the formal approval process at its Jan. 26 meeting.

Delene is a seasoned administrator in higher education with extensive experience at the provost level. In the past five years, she served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at SUNY Brockport and Belmont Abbey College.

Please be advised that next Wednesday, January 11, Parking Lots C-South, C-North, D, E and the PAC teardrop will be closed to campus for parking due to the Illinois House of Representatives Inauguration ceremony.

SMTD bus service will not be provided in the PAC teardrop and will be reduced to service only at the bus shelter located next to Founders Residence Hall at Eliza Farnham and Vachel Lindsay Drive from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Some changes were made to the fire alarm testing schedule so please review the revised schedule below carefully.

Wednesday, January 4

Public Affairs Center (PAC), floors 1, 2, and 5Visual & Performing Arts Building (VPA)

Thursday, January 5

Brookens Library (BRK), in the afternoonPublic Affairs Center (PAC), floors 3 and 4

Friday, January 6

Hometown: Carol Stream, Illinois

Undergraduate Instruction and Major: DeVry University, Network Management

Graduate Institution and Major: University of Illinois Springfield, M.S. Environmental SciencePlanning and Management