6.2.25
Happy June, everyone 鈥�
Summer classes began this week, and much is happening on campus as we prepare to welcome students in the fall. The lower level of the Public Affairs Center will be closed for plumbing renovations, construction on the new Library Commons is set to begin, and work to improve campus-wide Wi-Fi is ongoing. You can read more below about these initiatives. Thanks to our teams that are hard at work to complete these important projects.
New Information
Save the Date: Faculty and Staff Kickoff & Convocation
Please mark your calendar for the annual Faculty and Staff Kickoff at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 21, followed by Student Convocation at 4 p.m. and a party on the quad at 4:45 p.m. The timing for these events was changed so that more employees could attend during the workday. It鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity to enjoy each other鈥檚 company, get excited for the year, and welcome our new students in a big way. Join me!
Directory Updates
Updating your UIS directory listing is an important part of website maintenance. Please check your profile to ensure your email, position, department and other information are correct.
Wi-Fi Upgrade
ITS is implementing a campus-wide infrastructure refresh as part of our efforts to improve Wi-Fi performance. Please check the page to see when your building is being updated.
Faculty and Staff Campaign
The Faculty and Staff Campaign ends June 30. If you've already made your gift, thank you for supporting our university community. If you haven't yet, there's still time to participate. I hope you will consider making a gift by June 30. Reach out to Kate Bolte to learn more.
Tips for Receiving Packages
UIS Central Receiving and UIS Mail Services, as part of Campus Services, jointly serve as the delivery hubs for packages arriving on campus through major carriers such as FedEx, DHL, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. Please use the Central Receiving address as your delivery destination, instead of your unit鈥檚 campus address, for all packages including Amazon orders. Doing so will result in reduced traffic, streamlined delivery of goods, and improved management of incoming shipments. There have been reports of packages being left in the wrong location or at unstaffed offices when outside delivery personnel could not locate the correct office or person. If you provide the shipping address in the following format, Campus Services can see that your packages make it safely to you.
University of Illinois Springfieldc/o Your Name or Unit
Central Receiving, BSB 2
One University Plaza
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
Please also remember that the campus mail system is a restricted service available for official university business essential to the activities of the institution and is not for personal use, private gain, or use by non-University groups for the advertisement of programs or political endorsements not sponsored by the University.
Department Newsletters
Topics in the Human Resources June newsletter include details about the next two employee development series events, the approved holiday schedule for FY26 and an invite to Lunch at the Lake in July.
Remember, you can to receive an email notification when they are posted.
Upcoming Events
- Office of Digital Accessibility: Accessible Documents & Presentations (Word, PDF, PPT) Workshop: 11 a.m. to Noon June 3 and 5; 3-4 p.m. June 24 and 26. Discover easy ways to improve digital accessibility in your documents and presentations. Laptops are encouraged for in-person participants for this hybrid opportunity. In-person space is limited to 15. .
- Office of Digital Accessibility: Accessible Videos & Multimedia (Kaltura): 3-3:45 p.m. June 17. This virtual session covers best practices for captions, transcripts, audio descriptions, and more in videos and multimedia. .
- Office of Digital Accessibility: Navigating ADA Title II Changes at UIS: 3-3:45 p.m. June 30. Join ODA for a virtual overview of key ADA Title II updates and digital accessibility resources at UIS. .
Check the employee events calendar on Orbit for more opportunities to learn and engage across campus.
Information that Bears Repeating
Construction Updates
The lower level of the Public Affairs Center will remain closed this summer as part of the comprehensive plumbing renovation taking place in the building throughout the next year. Thank you for your patience and understanding, as this project may create disruptions to your unit鈥檚 work. Check on the progress of this initiative on . In the event of an emergency, the lower level is still accessible as a storm shelter. Please use the for guidance and be sure you are signed up for the .
Activity for the construction of the Library Commons will begin this month between HSB and the Student Union. Please stay tuned for future communication on areas that might be impacted or closed as construction progresses this summer.
Post Your Employee Announcements on Orbit
Orbit is a communication channel designed to help you share information relevant to employees鈥攊ncluding events, professional development opportunities, open forums, policy updates, and other need-to-know content. Review the to learn what to post and how to get started. News posted on Orbit is also available to read via the UIS Mobile App.
FY26 Benefit Choice Enrollment
The Benefit Choice enrollment period ends today. If you do not wish to change health, dental, life or dependent coverage, your current elections will continue 鈥� with the exception of Health Alliance. Participants in the Health Alliance Plan must make a new election or their plan will default to the Quality Care Health Plan. Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts require enrollment or re-enrollment each year. Read about the Benefit Choice FY 2026 changes on .
Annual Evaluations
Reminder: Annual evaluations must be submitted by Friday to Human Resources. More information is on .
Instructional Technology Request Form
ITS and Classroom Scheduling Services are for classrooms and instructional technology for summer and fall courses. Separate forms for each course should be submitted by faculty, but submission does not guarantee room assignments, equipment or services.
Homecoming 2025 Program Proposals
Have an idea for a UIS Homecoming event? by June 16. Homecoming will be Sept. 14-20, and this year鈥檚 theme is 鈥淲ritten in the Stars.鈥�
Celebrating Our Star Power
Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson, professor of theatre, is playing Kate in Brian Friel鈥檚 Irish play, 鈥淒ancing at Lughnasa,鈥� with The White Horse Players at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, June 5-8.
Getting to Know You
Priyanka Deo is an instructor in the School of Communications and Media and the director of Student Media. She originally came to the university as an undergraduate student and has returned as both an instructor and a doctoral student. Her passion for communication has led to a career spanning media, public administration and academia, driven by her deep interest in how media shapes public opinion and political decisions. Read more about Deo on .
Enjoy the beautiful weather this month, and you'll hear from me again after the July 4th holiday.
Janet
Janet L. Gooch, Ph.D.
Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield
P.S. If you have a topic you鈥檇 like me to consider for my newsletter, . I love to highlight your news, events and accolades.