Please join us in honoring our veterans as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country during our annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Cougill Foyer of Old Main. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony. For questions, please contact Taylor Warning at tjwarning2@eiu.edu.

This presentation focuses on sleep habits -- including tips and tricks for a good night's rest. Meet us in Ford Hall from 5 to 6 p.m.!

Please join us at the Celebration of Scholarship, Creativity & Engagement Reception:

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 4–5 p.m.
Doudna Fine Arts Center Concourse

Come celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of EIU’s faculty. We look forward to recognizing their remarkable work together this fall.

For additional information, visit eiu.edu/scholars.

Sponsored by the Division of Academic Affairs

The submission deadline for the Academic Program Innovation (API) Grant has been extended. Applications are due by noon, Friday October 15, 2025.

API grants will support projects designed to foster new curriculum innovations, enhance the academic reputation of the university, and impact enrollment. The maximum amount awarded per grant is $5,000.

Civil Service Council Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. in the Rathskeller Loft- 7th Street Underground. You do not have to be a member of the council to attend! All Non-Negotiated Civil Service employees are welcome to attend. 

Please feel free to review past meeting minutes, those who are on the Council, and Constitution and ByLaws on our website: https://www.eiu.edu/council/.

Bystander Intervention is recognizing a potentially harmful situation or interaction and choosing to respond in a way that could positively influence the outcome. Come to our October 14 presentation to learn more about how you can be an active bystander and help your fellow panthers! We will be in the MLK Jr Union's Martinsville Room (3rd floor) on at 4 p.m.!

Bystander Intervention is recognizing a potentially harmful situation or interaction and choosing to respond in a way that could positively influence the outcome. Come talk to HERC staff during our tabling event to learn more about how you can be an active bystander and help your fellow panthers! We will be at the MLK Jr Student union from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on October 13. 

Parking lot closures will begin on Friday, October 10, and part of the day on Saturday, Oct. 11, to make room for the Eastern Illinois University Homecoming Parade. The X Parking Lot, north and south, Burl Ives Art Studio parking lot, UPD parking lots and Seventh Street parking areas will be closed at 5:00pm on Friday Oct. 10th until the end of the parade. Any vehicles parked in violation of these parking restrictions will be ticketed for parking in a closed lot and towed at the owners' expense. Vehicles will be relocated to the 9^th Street lot located at 9^th Street and Roosevelt Ave. Please find an alternative parking lot that is designated for your parking permit. UPD and the Homecoming Committee appreciates everyone’s support and understanding during this briefing period.

In honor of Booth Library’s 75^th anniversary, we invite the EIU campus and community members to join us for a rededication ceremony on Friday, October 10, at 4:00 p.m. in the West Reading Room. The celebratory program will be brief, with remarks from President Gatrell and faculty and student representatives, followed by refreshments. We look forward to celebrating this EIU milestone with you. 

While you’re here, don’t miss the Now & Then photo walk! Explore Booth Library and scan QR codes throughout the building to reveal historical images of the spaces you know today. See how much has changed over the years, compare the past and present, and discover the rich history tucked into every corner!

Join the HERC October 10 to celebrate world mental health day and how to best take care of your mental health! We will be in the Taylor Hall Breezeway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.!

The Art of Belonging is a one-hour workshop that brings people together with “connecting through colors” activities. Program participants have a chance to explore and grow their creative intelligence as they discover how color can express and reflect moods and emotions.

Location: MLK Jr. Union's Paris Room (3rd floor)

Date & Time: October 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Did you know you can update your own EIU online profile and directory information?

Each University employee has access to a personal profile editor that makes it easy to keep your information current. Simply visit the profile editor directly, or click the “Update Your Profile” button located in the lower left-hand corner of your profile page. After logging in with your EIU credentials, you’ll be able to edit a wide range of content - from your biography and office hours to languages spoken and photo.

These updates help students and colleagues get to know you better and ensure your profile reflects your current role and contact information.

Note: Certain fields (including phone number, building, office location and department) are managed through Banner. If you need to update any of those, you’ll be directed to a form that will be reviewed and processed by Human Resources.

Family Weekend is coming up on October 31 through November 1 and the Panther Family Association invites you to show your EIU pride by purchasing a Family Weekend 2025 T-shirt.  All proceeds will go to support the PFA and the Parents Club Scholarship.  All orders must be placed by the end of the day on October 16 and shirts can be picked up at Family Weekend check-in on Friday, October 31 or Saturday, November 1.  Please visit our website to purchase T-shirts.

For the complete Family Weekend schedule, please visit eiu.edu/famweekend.

This October Be Well Illinois, the State of Illinois' comprehensive wellness program, will focus on Breast Cancer Awareness and Musculoskeletal (MSK) Awareness. Our goal is to support our members by providing comprehensive wellness resources.

Visit the Be Well Illinois website this month to learn about:

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Musculoskeletal Awareness Month
• Financial Healthcare
• Nutrition and Breast Health
• Exercise & MSK Management
• Promoting Breast Health for Teenage Girls

EIU employees have access to Be Well Illinois resources as a benefit through EIU Human Resources and/or Campus Recreation/Adult Fitness Program.

It’s time to step up to the challenge once more! Walktober 2025 is waiting for you — go to https://bewellillinois.walktober.com to register.

This year’s challenge has all-new features and benefits that will make stepping up to better health even more fun and rewarding. Important dates:

• October 1^st: First day to log activity
• October 31^st: Last day to register to participate

Sign up today — we’re aiming for record participation and achievement rates this fall!

*NOTE: If you participated in Walktober in the past, you’ll need to create a new account this year.

EIU employees have access to Be Well Illinois resources as a benefit through EIU Human Resources and/or Campus Recreation/Adult Fitness Program.

This month Be Well is offering three webinars:

October 7, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 PM CT:

Let’s Talk About Menopause & Healthy Aging

• Learn what menopause is and common symptoms.
• The impact of menopause on a woman’s overall health.
• How to find services and support available for you and family members who are experiencing menopause and perimenopause.

October 8, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 PM CT: 

How To Receive Criticism and Make It Work for You

• Learn why criticism sometimes hurts.
• Identify ways to respond effectively to criticism.

October 22, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 PM CT:

The Power of Productivity

• Learn the reasons we struggle to be productive.
• Identify the cause and effect of procrastination.
• Learn the benefits of being productive.

Click here to register and view our previously recorded webinars

EIU employees have access to Be Well Illinois resources as a benefit through EIU Human Resources and/or Campus Recreation/Adult Fitness Program.

October focuses on musculoskeletal (MSK) Awareness. On this episode of the Healthier You Podcast, Dr. Ashlee Williams speaks with Dr. Nora Taylor, a Rheumatologist at Kaiser Permanente, to discuss the most common causes of joint pain and what you can do to prevent or treat it. Learn how low-impact exercise, strength training, good posture, anti-inflammatory diets, and (when needed) treatments like corticosteroid injections can help you stay active and protect your joints as you age.

Click Here to Listen to Tips to Relieve Joint Pain

EIU employees have access to Be Well Illinois resources as a benefit through EIU Human Resources and/or Campus Recreation/Adult Fitness Program.

The Optimal College Town survey was completed by over 900 respondents, including students, faculty, staff, and our wonderful community members. For those who participated, we greatly appreciate your feedback!

The results have informed discussions with the City of Charleston and Eastern Illinois University, including a meeting with President Gatrell and city officials, during which many topics spurred by the survey were discussed. One of the major themes revolved around the need for joint promotion of the city and the University, so our next project includes designing new flags for the flag holders along Lincoln Avenue.

We would love to have your feedback on the potential design! You can fill out this quick survey to ensure your voice is heard.

New parking procedures will be implemented on Monday, October 13th for the Martin Luther King Jr University Union parking lot. 

Please visit Martin Luther King Jr University Union New Parking Procedures for detailed instructions on how to use TEXT-TO-PAY. 

Please relay any questions to the Scheduling Office. 

In honor of its 75th anniversary, the Mary J. Booth Library invites Eastern Illinois University students and recent graduates to submit original works of art that celebrate the people, places, voices, and lived experiences of Central Illinois. This initiative will expand Booth Library’s permanent public art collection while spotlighting regional identity and student creativity. 

-Works of merit will be exhibited in a Spring 2026 showcase.
-From the exhibited works, the First Place Winner and Honorable Mentions will be jury-selected.
-1 First Place winner will receive a $1,000 prize and will have their work permanently installed in Booth Library.
-Up to 4 Honorable Mentions will receive $100 each.

Key Details:
    Eligibility: Open to all current EIU students and recent alumni (graduated Spring 2023 or later).
    Accepted Formats: 2D & 3D works in any medium suitable for wall mounting (no free-standing pieces can be accepted).
    Deadline: January 16, 2026.
    Submit via: https://tarbleartscenter.slideroom.com/#/login/program/86486

Works must be original and produced in their entirety by an individual artist. AI-assisted, AI-derived, and AI-generated works are ineligible for submission. Artists may submit up to 3 works for consideration. Earn recognition for your creativity and talent!

Full details and submission instructions at: 
https://tarbleartscenter.slideroom.com/#/login/program/86486 
Questions? Please contact us at booth@eiu.edu. 

IGP #134 - Mail Services was recently updated with approval by the President. Please take time to review the changes to this policy.

New and Incoming Student who have been assigned to AlcoholEdu for College, Mental-Well Being for Undergraduates, and/or Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates began receiving emails to thier EIU accounts during the week of September 8th. Students have until October 9th to complete Part I of the courses assigned to them.  Adminsitrative holds will be placed beginning October 10th. Students may also access their assignments by visiting the Vector Solutions Portal through the Training and Development Tab found in thier Paws Account. Those encountering issues may find troubleshooting solutions at: https://www.eiu.edu/herc/troubleshooting.php. Questions regarding this mandate and the program may be directed to the Health Education Resource Center by emailing herc@eiu.edu or calling (217) 571-7786.

Part of the responsibility in driving a University-owned vehicle is to report any accidents involving that vehicle to Mike Hutchinson, the University Risk Manager. Anyone who has had an accident in an EIU vehicle will need to come to Old Main - Room 1140 within 48 hours to fill out a claim report. If there is a police report, please bring it with you. Incidents involving damage to University property must also be reported. If you are unable to come into the office, call 217-581-2921.

Are you a college student, graduate student, or recent graduate with a disability seeking an internship or job? The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) connects federal agencies with college students and recent graduates with disabilities seeking to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace through internships or permanent jobs.

For more info visit WRP.gov or contact EIU’s Office of Accessibility & Accommodations (McAfee 1336, 217-581-6583) or Career Services (Human Services 1301, 217-581-2412).

EIU Marketing & Communications is excited to share our students’ college success through Merit Pages, a platform that highlights student achievements and allows us to tell our student's stories.

These stories include:

• Dean’s list inclusion
• Scholarships
• Presenting research/academic work
• Winning awards
• Internships
• Volunteering
• RSO & club involvement
• Work experience
• Other recognition & accomplishments

EIU's Merit Pages helps showcase student accomplishments from admission through graduation and creates an online presence that will set students apart as they enter the workforce. This makes it easier for employers, graduate schools and internship coordinators to discover and recognize student success. In partnership with EIU Marketing & Communications, Merit Pages also turns student accomplishments into personalized stories.

To learn more and suggest a Merit Page update, visit the Marketing & Communications Merit Page info site.