1.10.22
Happy New Year,听UIS Colleagues听鈥撎�
Welcome to听2022 and to the spring semester! You have already received communication about some of the topics below, but as you know, we鈥檙e committed to communicating frequently and through multiple channels to ensure you have the information you need for a successful semester. In that vein, our recurring briefings kick off this Thursday, Jan. 13, and will take place weekly for the next several weeks. A link is below. Your engagement in the briefings helps us address concerns, plan ahead and meet the needs of our community, so mark your calendars.听
New Information听
Weekly COVID-19 Briefings Re-start Jan. 13
Our resume at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13. These briefings are for all students, faculty and staff and are intended to provide updates on our campus and community health data, share news about COVID-related policies and procedures and answer questions.
Additionally, we are having an at noon on Zoom to answer questions about the many important announcements sent out last week.
Spring 2022 Entry Testing听
All on-ground UIS employees and students are required to take a COVID-19 test once, twice or three times per week through Feb. 11. Weekly frequency听is based on vaccination/booster status. Because we鈥檙e increasing testing frequency, we鈥檙e expanding testing site hours. Check the听UIS COVID-19 testing page听or my email on Jan. 6 for more information听on required testing frequency and site hours.听
COVID-19 Booster Requirement听
Beginning this semester, a COVID-19 booster is required for on-ground students and employees who are eligible, unless an exemption has been granted. Booster records should be uploaded to your secure听Medicat patient portal听by Jan. 21. If you are unsure whether it is time to schedule your booster, please check the听UIS Booster Matrix.听听Employees who are vaccinated but want to seek a medical exemption or extension for the booster should contact the UIS AEO office by Jan. 21.
Isolation & Quarantine Guideline Changes
As of Friday, Jan. 7, UIS adopted new isolation and quarantine guidelines that align with those recently recommended by the CDC. The guidelines may vary depending upon on your vaccination status.
COVID-19 Vaccination/Booster Clinic听
If you are in need of vaccination or are eligible for a booster but are unable to receive one before returning to campus, UIS will host a clinic Jan. 18. The听first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine as well as Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine boosters will be available. Watch your email for more info.听
KN-95 Masks for Instructors听
UIS will provide KN-95 masks for on-ground instructors who wish to use them. Distribution will happen through the Dean鈥檚 Office in each college. A representative from each of the Dean鈥檚 Offices will need to听email Facilities and Services听with the number of masks needed and to coordinate delivery.听In addition, Facilities and Services is working to ensure there is a supply of disposable face masks at听specific locations around campus.听
Nominate a Star Staff听
The 2022听Good as Gold Awards听are approaching. If you know听a staff member听who is an outstanding volunteer in the community, nominate them for a听Star Staff Award.听听
UIS Faculty and Staff Campaign听
The Office of Advancement needs participating units/colleges/departments/student organizations to submit information and photos for a custom crowdfunding page by Jan. 28.听听outlines听everything听they need to build your unique page. Questions? Contact Kate McKenzie at听kate.mckenzie@uis.edu听or 206-7070.听
Information that Bears Repeating听
Faculty Awards听
Nominations are being accepted for seven new awards to recognize the contributions of UIS full-time and adjunct faculty. Information on award guidelines can be found on听the Faculty Awards & Honors webpage.听The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 1.听
Grad Week 2022听
Our virtual Grad Week is less than a month away. I highly encourage all graduate program directors to select a date and time during that week to present a 20- to 30-minute live webinar about the strengths and highlights of your program. Please notify听Cecilia Cornell听by Jan. 12 with the date/time you have chosen.听听
Inclement Weather, Liberal Leave听
As the temperatures drop, now is the time to review the following UIS policies:听
- Inclement Weather听听
- Liberal Leave听(recently听updated with remote work language)听
- Essential Services听
Celebrating our Star Power听
Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Public Administration听Sean McCandless,听the2021 University Scholar. The annual award is considered the university system鈥檚 highest faculty honor and recognizes outstanding teaching and scholarship. Dr. McCandless is also a featured speaker Jan. 12 for a UIS/Citizen鈥檚 Club of Springfield policy forum:听Inequities in the Criminal Justice System.听听or watch the livestream on the听听
Congratulations to听Denise听Rothenbach, executive听assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs,听who was named听听One nominator said听Denise 鈥渙ften puts other鈥檚 needs above her own and does her best every day.鈥澨�
Despite current challenges, a new year and new semester are filled with hope and opportunity. Be safe, and know that our campus community cares for your health and safety both on and off campus.听
Karen听
Karen M. Whitney, PhD
Interim Chancellor University of 缅北禁地 Springfield 听