It was a recent weekday afternoon in Springfield when Erin Washington was hanging crystal prisms from a neon-pink geodesic dome. The dome is outside of Springfield Art Association (SAA) in the Enos Park neighborhood.
Washington's work is part of this year's Terrain Biennial, an effort to make art more accessible to the general public and create community-based conversation and celebration. Every two years, artists partner with residents in neighborhoods and create artwork that can be seen outdoors.
Community leaders and experts held a webinar on Wednesday about the housing challenges in Springfield.
This was part of a series through the University of Illinois Springfield and the Citizens Club of Springfield called Confronting Inequities.
Wednesday's webinar focused on housing disparities within the community.
They touched on the housing issues facing people of color and immigrants to include the access available to stable housing and possible solutions.
Another big construction project is planned for UIS.
University of Illinois Systems trustees have approved $35 million for a library and “success center.” Associate vice chancellor Chuck Coderko tells WTAX news it’s a library — and more.
The University of Illinois Springfield Survey Research Office has released the results of the 2021 Sangamon County Citizen Survey. The survey is funded by the United Way of Central Illinois, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln and the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership.
The survey aims to establish benchmarks and evaluate changes in residents’ assessments of quality of life in Sangamon County.
The University of Illinois Springfield hosted a webinar Friday regarding animals’ ability to transmit infectious diseases to humans.
The “bats, monkeys and dogs, oh my!” was a free virtual webinar presented by Dr. Connie Austin.
According to Dr. Austin, there have been several cases of animals catching COVID-19 from their close contact with humans. However, there has been no cases of humans getting COVID from animals.
This story appeared on WCIA on Sept. 17, 2021.
Springfield’s class of 2020 was honored Saturday afternoon in two separate commencement exercises, deferred because of the pandemic.
UIS Chancellor Emerita, Susan Koch, conferred diploma covers to approximately 150 graduates. COVID protocols were in place for both ceremonies held at the UIS Sangamon Auditorium.
This story appeared on WTAX on Sept. 18, 2021.
Joey McLaughlin talks with Vickie S. Cook, who is the Acting Associate Provost for Enrollment Management and Associate Vice Chancellor for Online, Professional and Engaged Learning about a new ranking by U.S. News and World Report and about the UIS adopting the Common App, and waiving the application fee.
This interview occurred on Sept. 17, 2021.
The pandemic heightened food insecurity for families across Illinois.
Now, research is showing students on college campuses are also feeling the impact.
At the University of Illinois Springfield, they have a food pantry where students can come and get food at no cost.
Jill Hawkins-Wright, the director of the Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center at UIS, said students are tight on time and also paying for costs that come with schools like books and transportation.
The University of Illinois Springfield will honor the Class of 2020 during two special commencement ceremonies on Saturday afternoon.
Officials said this will be an opportunity for 2020 graduates to walk across the stage in their cap and gown and have their names read in front of up to eight guests. The ceremonies will be held at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the UIS Sangamon Auditorium, which is inside the Public Affairs Center Building on Ernest Hemingway Drive.
This story was published on WCIA on Sept. 16, 2021.
University of Illinois Springfield is waiving all application fees starting from now through the 2022-2023 academic year for all incoming students.
Officials said students can apply to the university through Common App. It is an online college application platform that serves more than three million applicants, teachers, counselors and advisors across the U.S. and around the world every year.