Science meeting will focus on Emiquon restoration

"Emiquon 2008: Restoration Begins" is the subject of a science meeting scheduled for April 3 at Dickson Mounds Museum. The research-oriented, by invitation event is a joint presentation of The Nature Conservancy, Dickson Mounds, and the Emiquon Field Station project at UIS. Read more>>

Taste of UIS focuses on achieving individual goals

"If Not Now, When? Isn't It About Time to Start Pursuing Your Dreams?" will be the focus of a Taste of UIS luncheon to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at Maldaner's Restaurant in downtown Springfield.

The event is sponsored by the Office of UIS Alumni Relations. Featured speakers will be Don O'Neal, UIS professor of Management, and alumnus Donald T. Johnson, who earned a bachelor's degree in Management at the UIS Peoria Center. O'Neal's remarks will be based on his book If Not Now, When? Read more>>

UIS Music to present recital

UIS Music ensembles will present a recital beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, in the TV studio. The concert is part of the campus' annual Arts Night celebration.

This intimate recital will feature the UIS Chamber Orchestra, Chorus, and Band performing a varied repertory. Highlights will include excerpts from the orchestral suite from Didn't He Ramble! by Creole scholar and composer Dr. Sybil Kein. Read more>>

UIS named "Elluminate Center of Excellence"

UIS is among 11 institutions in the U.S. and Canada recently selected as 2008 Centers of Excellence by Elluminate, Inc., a leading provider of live eLearning and web collaboration solutions. The Center of Excellence program recognizes academic institutions and corporations that take a "progressive approach to change" by implementing Elluminate Live! in creative ways to improve classroom or distance learning programs, training, staff communication and collaboration, or administrative operations.

Shari McCurdy Smith, associate director of the Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning, was also named an Elluminate Hero. These are the individuals or teams who are responsible for their institutions being accepted into the program. Read more>>

BOT approves tuition hike; UIS remains among most affordable

Tuition at UIS will be $3,607.50 per semester for full-time freshmen and transfer students enrolling for the first time in summer or fall 2008. The U of I Board of Trustees voted to approve the 2008-2009 rates at its meeting in Urbana today.

While the new rate is $427.50 more per semester than that paid by new students last fall, it is guaranteed not to increase for four consecutive years after the student's initial enrollment. Illinois' public universities implemented a guaranteed tuition plan for all undergraduate students in 2004.

Even with the increase in tuition, UIS remains one of the best educational values in the state, ranking in the middle among the 12 public universities in terms of tuition rates. Read more>>

Arts Night features artwork, music, and theater

An art exhibit, music recital, theater, and good food will be featured Friday, April 11, during Arts Night at UIS. This annual event is presented as an opportunity for the community to enjoy a variety of arts-related activities.

A juried alumni art show opens at 5 p.m. in the Visual Arts Gallery, followed by a panel discussion and a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception. The UIS Chamber Orchestra will present a recital beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Office of Electronic Media's TV studio. UIS Theatre's production of Period of Adjustment, a "serious comedy" by Tennessee Williams, will begin at 8 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. Read more>>

Political art series to feature discussion with photographer-author

The Political Art and the Public Sphere series will conclude for the spring with an exhibit of works by and a discussion with photographer/author Jan Goff-LaFontaine, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, April 4, in the Access Gallery, located in the lobby of the Visual and Performing Arts Building. Goff-LaFontaine's work is dedicated to bringing awareness and healing through art. She is perhaps best known for her books Women in Shadow and Light and Reflections: Between the Lines. Read more>>

UIS to host Annual Health Awareness Day

UIS will host its Tenth Annual Health Awareness Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in the PAC concourse area and conference rooms. Health Awareness Day is presented in conjunction with National Public Health Week, April 7 through 13, which this year focuses on the theme "Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance."

Activities include speakers, a number of health screenings, and informational booths. Read more>>

David Dodds Henry Lecture to be presented at UIS

Dr. David Ward, president of the American Council on Education, will present the 26th David Dodds Henry Lecture at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in Brookens Auditorium. Dr. Ward's topic will be "Higher Education and the Global Knowledge Economy: Affordability and Accountability Redefined."

Since 1972, the David Dodds Henry lectures have presented noted educators speaking on topics related to the theory, philosophy, and/or practice of the administration of higher education. The lectures honor David D. Henry, who served as chief executive officer of the University for 16 years, from 1955 until his retirement in 1971. UIS last hosted the lecture in 2005. Read more>>

Altgeld Forum examines constitutional question

The subject of the annual Altgeld Forum at UIS will be the state's Constitution referendum. "Constitutional Convention: Pro or Con-Con?" will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in Brookens Auditorium.

Sponsored by the UIS Pre-Law Center, the program will feature a panel discussion by Mary Lee Leahy and John Alexander, both delegates to the 1969 Constitutional Convention, and UIS Professor Emeritus Frank Kopecky. Read more>>

Political art series' next feature is "The Yes Men"

The next program in UIS' Political Art and the Public Sphere series will be a screening of the comedic documentary "The Yes Men" at 6 p.m. Monday, March 24, in Brookens Auditorium.

This 2003 film follows what happens when The Yes Men, a small group of prankster activists, create a website satirizing the World Trade Organization. The imitation is so clever that it's mistaken for the real thing and group members are soon invited to important functions as WTO representatives. Read more>>

Disability Awareness Week

UIS will host a number of activities from April 7 through 11 in observance of Disability Awareness Week. Events include a wheelchair race; art experiences; presentations on assistive technology, advocacy, and accessible fitness equipment; and a community resource fair on transitioning from high school to independent living. All events will be held on campus and are free and open to the public. All facilities are fully accessible to people with mobility impairments.

See a schedule of events>>

March Campus Preview Day

UIS will host a Campus Preview Day for prospective students and their families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. The program will include an academic fair, campus tours, lunch, and greetings from the chancellor and provost.

More information, including how to make a reservation>>

Theatre season concludes with "serious comedy"

The UIS Theatre Program will conclude its 2007-2008 season with six performances of Tennessee Williams' "serious comedy" Period of Adjustment – Friday-Sunday, April 4-6, and Thursday-Saturday, April 10-12 – in the PAC Studio Theatre. All shows will begin at 8 p.m. except the Sunday performance (April 6), which will begin at 2 p.m.

Period of Adjustment tells the story of two married couples at critical points in their relationships. One couple has been married for five years, the other for one day. Read more>>

Media Advisory: Cisco Networking Academy 10th anniversary in Illinois

The 10th anniversary of the Cisco Networking Academy Program in Illinois will be observed with a ceremony at 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 12, in the Capitol Rotunda. UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen will be among the speakers. UIS graduate Derek Murray will be among the Cisco alumni to be honored. Read more>>

UIS Alumni Relations to host etiquette dinner

"The ABCs of Forks, Knives, and Toasting" is the focus of a dinner offering tips on business and social etiquette to be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in the Public Affairs Center restaurant at UIS.

The event is presented by the Office of UIS Alumni Relations/U of I Alumni Association. Beth Reutter, coordinator of the Hospitality Management Program at UIUC, will be the instructor. Read more>>

Media Advisory: Expanding Your Horizons

"Expanding Your Horizons in Math, Science, and Technology," a hands-on conference especially for girls in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday, March 8, on campus at UIS.

Girls who attend the conference can choose from more than 20 hands-on, experiential workshops led by women who are professionals in careers traditionally held by men. Concurrent workshops for parents and teachers will provide information on how to encourage their daughters and students to take classes that will keep their options open as they approach college and choose careers.

Read more>>

Media Advisory: Presentation by Federal Reserve Bank CEO

Dr. William Poole, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will speak on "Finance: Engine of Growth, Engine of Instability" at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, in Brookens Auditorium.

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is one of the 12 regional Reserve banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., constitute the Federal Reserve System. Read more>>

Media Advisory: Cyber Defense and Disaster Recovery

"Cyber Defense and Disaster Recovery: Protecting Our Infrastructure Assets," a conference on security issues, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, March 7, in the Public Affairs Center at UIS.

Highlights will include an FBI response team presentation on "Incident Response: The Inside-School Shooter" and an FDIC representative, who will speak on "Digital Robbery." Mark Cheviron, corporate vice president and director of security for Archer Daniels Midland, will deliver the keynote address.

Read more>>

Media Advisory: Presentation by expert on women and the media

"Deadly Persuasion: Advertising and the Corruption of Relationships" -- a presentation by noted author, scholar, and lecturer Dr. Jean Kilbourne -- will begin at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, in Brookens Auditorium.

Dr. Kilbourne is recognized internationally as an expert on issues of alcohol and tobacco advertising, the image of women in advertising, as well as addictions, gender issues, and the media. She has been named one of the three most popular speakers on college campuses today.

Read more>>

Professor's book presents new concept of the public sphere

Richard Gilman-Opalsky, assistant professor of political philosophy at UIS, is the author of Unbounded Publics: Transgressive Public Spheres, Zapatismo, and Political Theory, published this month by Lexington Books. The book examines the concept of the public sphere and the various ways it has been theorized as a driving mechanism for social and political change.

Reviewers have called the book "an excellent piece of research" that takes "an original approach." Read more>>

Friday night Star Parties to resume

UIS' popular Star Parties will begin for the spring on Friday, March 21, and continue every Friday night through April 25, weather permitting. Star Parties are from 8 to 10 p.m. in the campus observatory.

The Star Parties will be hosted by John Martin, assistant professor of Astronomy/Physics. Read more>>

Judd invited to join Wall Street Journal panel

Richard Judd, professor of Business Administration and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at UIS, has been invited to become a member of the Opinion Leaders Research Panel, a new initiative of the Wall Street Journal. A select national group of the publication's subscribers comprise the panel, which will be asked three or four times a year to provide opinions and advice on business and consumer issues. Read more>>