Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln awards $5,000 grant to the UIS Cares Food Pantry

The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has awarded a $5,000 grant to the UIS Cares Food Pantry to help eliminate food insecurity for students currently living on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant comes from the COVID-19 Response Fund for the Greater Capital Region of Illinois, a fund providing charitable assistance throughout central Illinois.

“We have relied very heavily on funding this year due to an increase in student need,” said Jill Hawkins, director of the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center. “The amount that we had in the food pantry fund is drastically lower as we near the end of the academic year. This grant has come at a critical time as we continue to provide for students on campus.”

The UIS Cares Food Pantry, located in student affairs building, is dedicated to making sure that every UIS student has what they need to be successful. UIS Cares helps bridge the gap and provide students with the fuel needed for their academic success.

A micro pantry was recently opened in the west entrance of the Student Union to better serve students. Food is available to students living on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Donations are also accepted and can be added to the shelves at any time.

Students visited the UIS Cares Food Pantry 305 times during Fall Semester 2019.

UIS helping private and community colleges and state agencies transition to remote learning

The University of Illinois Springfield Center For Online Learning, Research and Service (COLRS) is helping Illinois private and community colleges and state agencies transition to remote learning as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 1997, UIS has been at the forefront of institutions engaged in online learning and the uses of technology in instruction.

“The Center for Online Learning, Research and Service (COLRS) has received national recognition as a leader in online learning. COLRS staff maintains the highest quality of knowledge in delivery of online learning and is pleased to be able to share this knowledge with our colleagues across the state,” said Vickie Cook, UIS executive director of online professional and engaged learning, research and service.

Based on a request from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, UIS is providing private and independent colleges across the state with a resource page that includes tips to teach remotely, how to put content online, how to provide lab classes online and how to make digital content accessible for students. UIS will also be offering a free webinar for private and independent colleges on April 13 and for private business and vocational schools on April 14.

Additionally, the UIS ION Professional eLearning Programs are providing short question and answer videos to assist with moving materials into online formats including digital accessibility, how to use universal design and other remote teaching tips for Illinois colleges through their social media platforms, YouTube and LinkedIn.

UIS is also assisting several state agencies, including the Department of Human Services, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Central Management Services, in moving face-to-face professional development to online programming.

The UIS Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) program will also be offering a new non-credit course in online overview that will open on April 20.

Go to the ION COVID-19 resource page to register for the free webinars and signup for the online overview course.

UIS extends deadlines, waives fees and offers virtual assistance during COVID-19

The University of Illinois Springfield’s Office of Admission is taking several steps to make it easier for prospective students and families to learn about the Springfield campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UIS has extended its decision date for incoming fall 2020 freshmen from May 1 to June 1 to give students and families more time to learn about the campus.

Additionally, application and enrollment fees for freshman, transfer and graduate students are being waived for summer and fall 2020. UIS is also waiving the essay requirement for freshman and transfer applicants.

Virtual one-on-one appointments (as late as 7 p.m. to accommodate working adults) with UIS admission counselors and weekly Wednesday webinars are also being offered to give students a chance to learn about UIS and ask questions.

“It’s more important than ever to remind students, especially here in Illinois, that UIS offers all the perks of going away to college, with close to home comfort,” said Natalie Herring, UIS associate provost for enrollment management. “It’s just as important to remind working adults and those with families that one third of UIS students are online learners.”

In addition to traditional on-campus degree programs, UIS offers 52 online programs for students who want to earn a flexible and cost-efficient degree. UIS’ online programs are taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus courses. Learn more at uis.edu/online.

UIS also stands ready to help students who want to transfer to the Springfield campus or earn a master’s degree.

“UIS offers 20 master’s degree programs for students who want to continue their education,” Herring said. “We also have transfer experts who can help students retain their maximum amount of credits from other institutions.”

Prospective students and families who are interested in learning more about UIS should visit uis.edu/admissions/visit to schedule a virtual one-on-one appointment or RSVP to attend a weekly Wednesday webinar.

UIS was recently ranked the top public regional university in Illinois by U.S. News and World Report.

For more information, contact the Office of Admission at 217-206-4847 or admissions@uis.edu.