If you wish to participate in the Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies, please fill complete this form. This will help us prepare for seating arrangements and allow for reserved parking.

• Saturday, December 14 - Groniger Arena
  -- 10 a.m. – Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees in the College of Education & College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  -- 1 p.m. – Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees in Lumpkin College of Business and Technology & College of Health and Human Services

If you need to order regalia please do so at herff.ly/eiufaculty.

Questions? Please contact Koty Gough in Alumni Services at dlgough2@eiu.edu.

Eastern Illinois University faculty, staff and graduate students are invited to participate in a free, virtual event on Nov. 8, which will bring together educators, administrators, instructional designers and instructional technologists involved in online learning in Illinois and beyond.

“Towards Online Excellence: Illinois Higher Education Symposium” takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The symposium is organized and coordinated by administrators from 10 higher education institutions, including Dr. Michael Gillespie at EIU, with an invitation for nationwide participation and online learning in digital education. The symposium’s themes will include online pedagogy, Title 2 changes, leadership in online programs and the influence of AI in education.

Ray Schroeder, a senior fellow with UPCEA, an online and professional education association, will present the keynote, “Artificial Intelligence in Online Learning,” at 9 a.m. Following the keynote, three sessions will run concurrently in three Zoom break rooms, with the sessions covering four themes:

• Artificial intelligence
• Leadership
• Pedagogy and inclusion
• Assessment and accessibility

Symposium information, the event schedule and registration details for the keynote address and the breakout sessions are available in the event program.

For more information and questions, contact fdic@eiu.edu.

Early bird registration: $65 for professionals; $30 for students
After September 30: $75 for professionals; $40 for students  

Other EIU Counseling events at https://www.eiu.edu/counseling/events.php
or on the group's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EIUCounselingMS

This presentation goes over important and essential health topics for women. We will cover a variety of topics from breast and vaginal health to PAP tests.
10/29/2024 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.,Pemberton Hall

Join Accounting, Purchasing, Payroll, and Budget on October 28 at 1:30 in 4450 Booth Library for financial manager training.  We'd like to invite any financial managers and those delegated financial tasks to a short presentation on financial manager responsibilities followed by a question-and-answer time.  There will be computers available for answering questions about Argos reports, Banner screens, etc.  We hope you will be able to join us.

Booth Library invites the campus and community to join us for our speaker series this Fall semester, Authors@EIU. Two authors will be featured on Monday, October 28 at our Authors@EIU series to celebrate the research, scholarship and creative success of EIU faculty who have recently achieved publication of a book.  

The library recognizes and celebrates the diverse, robust community of EIU teaching faculty who are contributing to scholarship or popular learning, through this series and has added the featured publications to the library’s collection.

Please mark your calendars to attend Authors@EIU, Monday, October 28 at 5 p.m. in Booth Library’s West Reading Room:
  

                      Linda Ghent, Ph.D., Economics 
Seinfeld and Economics: Lessons on Everything from the ‘Show about Nothing’, 2^nd edition, by Linda Ghent
Independently Published, January 2024

                       
Amie Whittemore, Ph.D., English 

                      Nest of Matches, by Amie Whittemore
Autumn House Press, March 2024

Events will include a shared reception at 5 p.m. Presentations will begin at 5:30 p.m. with introductory remarks, followed by presentations and question & answer sessions for each author. 

All members of the Charleston and EIU communities are welcome, including students. Please join your colleagues in recognizing these accomplishments and for stimulating dialogues.

Food Truck Fridays are back!  We will be having two food trucks, La Paloma and Sammy's Smoothies, on Friday, October 25th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

$5 off coupons will be available for each food truck. Make plans to enjoy both for lunch on October 25!

This mindfulness series builds off of our Mindful U presentation and goes more in-depth regarding mindfulness tips & tricks. To learn dates/times/locations and to sign up, please click the link below!

Learn more and sign up here!

• Mini apple pie casserole and apple cider drink
• Healthy immune and staying in tune presentation

Sign up using the link below!

https://www.eiu.edu/herc/machform/view.php?id=94405

Join HERC staff to discuss relationships and what a healthy relationship looks like compared to an unhealthy relationship. Tabling will be Monday, October 21 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Booth Library.

Radio/TV Center Advisory Board Meetings (Open to Public)
WEIU Conference Room, Buzzard Hall - 1521
12 p.m. | Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 

Howdy EIU Students, Faculty, Staff, and Community Members!

As we wind down from Homecoming 2024, we want to ensure that our next celebration is even better! We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Homecoming Week, and we hope everyone had a great time.

Your insights are invaluable, and we’d love for you to share your thoughts by filling out a brief survey. The feedback from the survey will help us move forward in the planning process for Homecoming 2025. 

Complete the survey by noon on October 22, and you can be entered to win a $25 EIU Bookstore gift certificate!

Thank you for your time!

Join HERC staff to learn more about women's health topics and how to improve overall health from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Taylor Hall Breezeway (10/23 and 10/24)!

The EIU Alumni Association requests your assistance in obtaining nominations for the Livingston C. Lord Scholarship. The scholarship was established by the Association in honor of Eastern’s first president and for decades has been considered the University’s most prestigious award for academic excellence. Of particular note, it is the only scholarship for which the recipients are honored annually during the spring commencement ceremony. The monetary award for each of the five scholarships presented in 2024 was $8,518.

Please keep in mind that it is possible for more than one student from a department to receive this scholarship and we would welcome multiple nominations and applications. Thank you in advance for your time and support!

The selection committee will evaluate the nominations on the basis of the individual’s potential for success in their careers. If the committee determines the qualifications of the candidates are equal, financial need will then be considered. All qualifications for the scholarship can be found here: https://www.eiu.edu/alumniassociation/scholarships.php

• To nominate a student use this form: click here.
• Students can apply for this scholarship here: https://eiu.academicworks.com/opportunities/17659

The deadline to apply through academic works for this award is October 26th. The deadline to nominate for the 2025 award is November 15, 2024.

Should you have any questions regarding the scholarship, please contact Koty Gough at 217-581-7053 or dlgough2@eiu.edu.

Planning for Spring 2025? Consider using the CSI Active Learning classroom (ALC)! The ALS is available for course sessions to support enhanced pedagogical innovation opportunities and student learning outcomes. Faculty members can reserve the ALC for up to four class periods per semester, per course!

This opportunity provides the following active teaching and learning opportunities:

Classroom Layout and Environment 

• The ALC has flexible seating which allows for countless arrangements that facilitate group work and otherwise can enhance the effectiveness of active learning.

Alternative Techniques 

• The ALC can support various active learning techniques, such as think-pair-share, group discussions, problem-solving tasks, case studies, and peer teaching, to cater to different learning styles.

 Technology Integration 

• Upon request, the CSI can provide a variety of technologies to support active learning including tablet computers and presentation monitors. These tools can also bridge with external applications like learner response apps or collaborative tools like Google Docs or Kahoot!.

Reservations will be on a first-come, first-serve basis; not all requests may be accepted due to availability, usage rationale, or technology accommodation(s). Please submit your request at least 14 days in advance to ensure that we can accommodate your request and technology needs. Requests can be submitted at this link: CSI Active Learning Classroom Reservations.

Student staff support is available during your sessions. If you need instructional design assistance or would like to work with FDIC staff on designing sessions appropriate for the CSI, contact fdic@eiu.edu. 

Dear Colleagues,

The university will be closed in observance of Christmas and New Year's on Eastern's four official holidays: Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25, 2024; Tuesday, December 31, 2024 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Please note all offices must remain open following fall graduation, December 14, up to and including December 23.

In addition, per IGP #7.5, Gift Days for 2024 will be observed on December 26, 27 and 30.  Employees, including probationary employees, will not have to use their own leave time for these days.  Essential employees of the University will still be required to work on one or more of the gift days.  Vice-Presidents and/or Directors will identify those areas/employees deemed essential for University operations.  An employee(s) identified as “essential” will be allowed to flex the gift days at another time, but must use that time by March 31, 2025.  FAQ’s regarding the Gift day may be found at:  https://www.eiu.edu/humanres/benefits/.

Employees who are in probationary status who wish to use time outside of the gift days (example, Dec 16 through Dec 23), will be allowed to use any available accrued leave or take leave without pay during the Holiday season. Probationary employees who wish to use accrued leave during the holiday period must complete the Civil Service Employee Request for Accrued Leave During Probation form available here.  

Supervisors are encouraged to approve time-off requests, unless the employment is required for essential duties during that period or the time off impedes the ability for the office to remain open through Dec 23. Should an employee choose to take leave without pay, please note that accrued leave, sick leave and service credit will not be earned.

Please note that the following eligibility rules apply for holiday compensation. Employees must be in an approved pay status, with or without pay, on the last scheduled work day before the holiday and the first scheduled work day following the holiday in order to receive holiday pay. Employees who are subject to the provisions of a prevailing-rate area agreement or a collective bargaining agreement will be paid according to the terms of the respective agreement. 

Time reporting codes have previously been created for use on time sheets and leave reports.  If you do not have to work on December 26, 27 or 30, please report it under University Gift Day – Non-work (763).  If you must work on any of the gift days, please report any of that time under University Gift Day – Time worked (764).  If you must work and flex your day(s) at another time, when you use that day, you will use the 763 – University Gift Day – Non-work at that time.

Inquiries regarding this information may be directed to the Benefits Office at (217) 581-5825 or by e-mailing benefits@eiu.edu.

Thank you!

Human Resources

BUILDINGS OR AREAS INVOLVED:  Blair Hall parking and rock lot by the old steam plant
DATE/TIME:  Sunday, October 13, 2024 – November 30, 2024
PURPOSE OF PROPOSED OUTAGE:  Smokestack demolition at the old steam plant
DETAIL:  The smokestack will be removed systematically and safely from the top down, knocking small pieces down the top of the stack and removing the rubble from the bottom until the structure is demolished down to the roofline of the old steam plant.  The rubble will be placed in trucks and hauled offsite for disposal.  Temporary fencing will be placed around the area and the entry by the water tower will be blocked off.  There will be construction noise and traffic.

Bradley Green, Administrative Aid in the School of Nursing, has been appointed to a four-year term to the State Universities Civil Service Employee Advisory Committee.  His term of office will be effective January 1, 2025, and will run through December 31, 2028.  Mr. Green ran unopposed and will take over EAC responsibilities from Ms. Lindsay Partlow.

The School of Extended Learning (SEL) seeks faculty to author or review biology, math, and computer science exams for the Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science (ACES) competition. This is a paid opportunity.

ACES is a series of in-person, high school competitions that SEL organizes with assistance from many partner institutions throughout Illinois and Missouri. Students progress through regional and sectional competitions to compete at the state competition hosted by EIU. This event allows us to interact with approximately 3,000 students from 350 high schools.

If you are interested in authoring or reviewing exams, please get in touch with SEL by calling 217-581-5114 or emailing academic_challenge@eiu.edu.

University Gift Days for December 2024 are:

• Thursday, December 26
• Friday, December 27
• Monday, December 30 

Information regarding gift days can be found here: Holiday Schedule (eiu.edu). 

EIU's Adult Fitness Program is offering FREE, 1-year NEW memberships to any current, full-time employees who join by December 1, 2024!

The Adult Fitness Program has been part of EIU since 1966. We provide individualized exercise programming and group fitness leadership. Members have access to the Student Rec Center and the Lantz pool for lap swimming at specific times for morning and noon sessions. Pilates, Bootcamp, and neuromotor classes are held during the morning sessions along with interactive research presentations from current Exercise Physiology graduate students. We are very pleased to offer this benefit due to President Gatrell's generous support of the Adult Fitness Program.

All it takes is a phone call or email to schedule a screening appointment!

Call 217-581-7579 or email adult_fitness@eiu.edu to get started!

For more information, you can check out our website at https://www.eiu.edu/ksr/af_index.php or call the Adult Fitness Office (217-581-7579). Get started today!!

https://www.eiu.edu/ksr/af_index.php

Booth Library, the Writing Center, and the speech program are excited to announce a new partnership offering coordinated research and communication support—both oral presentations and writing—across all disciplines at the university.

In addition to Booth Library's expert research consultations, we will now offer consultations for presentation and writing assignments on a walk-up basis at Booth Library every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Simply visit the Research Help desk (on the main floor) for directions. These tutors can assist with assignments from any course, including ENG 1001 and CMN 1310.

As part of this program, speech consultations will be held in the NEW Creative Reality Studio, part of the Center for Student Innovation. The studio offers state-of-the-art resources, including virtual reality equipment, green screens, and on-the-spot technical support, to enhance creative opportunities for students. Find more info here.

This partnership supports student success by helping develop the essential communication skills needed for academic achievement, professional growth, and personal development. Whether you need help articulating your ideas clearly, persuasively, or effectively in written or spoken form, we're here to help!

 Questions? Visit: https://www.eiu.edu/booth/requests/asklibr.html

Buzzard Roof Work 8/23/2024 – 10/23/2024

BUILDINGS OR AREAS INVOLVED: 
Shingled penthouse roofs of Buzzard Hall

CONSIDERATIONS:  
The small parking to the south in the photo below will be taken offline and used for staging.  When work is going on near entrances/exits, the contractor will use spotters on the ground to ensure safe passage.  There will be a crane set up on the west side of the building.  We have been assured it is safe to work in the building while the crane is in use.