Planning to participate in the Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies? Please complete this form. This will help EIU prepare for seating arrangements and allow for reserved parking. 

Saturday, May 9 - Groniger Arena

The University Police Department is hosting A.L.I.C.E. training sessions to provide information and offer learning tips about the actions that everyday people can take to survive a dangerous encounter with a violent intruder.

These sessions will include instruction and scenario-based training.

A.L.I.C.E. is a simple acronym for the following basic life-saving strategies:
• Alert - Notify the people within the danger zone about the life-threatening risk
• Lockdown - Barricade your area and prepare to evacuate or counter if needed
• Inform - Relay continuous, accurate information to responders about the incident
• Counter – Challenge the attacker and regain control (this is the last resort)
• Evacuate - Remove yourself from the area of the threat as soon as it is safe to do so

Please click on the link to register: A.L.I.C.E. Training Registration Spring Sessions

If you are interested in a dedicated training session for your department/class/group, please contact the EIUPD at police@eiu.edu or 217-581-3213.

An in-person MHFA course will be offered from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 and Thursday, March 5 in the Charleston/Mattoon Room in the MLK Jr. Union. 

Those interested in registering should complete the registration/interest MACHFORM found at eiu.edu/mentalhealth/mentalhealthfirstaid. Individuals should be registered no later than February 24.

Any staff and faculty member who provides academic, professional, and/or personal support to students or advises a student recognized organization is highly encouraged to complete this training. 

Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance-use issues. Participants will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn to for help. Topics covered in this course include depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, on-campus resources, and intervention strategies.  This training is not intended to help one become a counselor, but to help provide early intervention and encourage those in need to seek appropriate assistance and help. 

More information about the program, other available dates, and sign-up machform may be found at: eiu.edu/mentalhealth/mentalhealthfirstaid. 

Funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education

SURS representatives will be on campus Marh 3 to discuss retirment options with eligible employees. To schedule a retirement counseling appointment or request a written estimate, members in the Traditional or Portable plan should be eligible to retire within five years, and members in the Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) should be eligible to retire within four years, based on the following criteria:

Online Benefit Estimator:

An online benefit estimator is available on the member website, at www.surs.org. The estimator is a helpful tool that can be used by members in the Traditional and Portable Plans when they do not meet the criteria for a counseling appointment. However, please keep in mind that the online estimator has limitations. Therefore, please contact our office if you have service as police officer or firefighter, or if you have reciprocal service and SURS is the most recent system with which you’re employed.

Scheduling an Appointment:

Eligible members who are in the Traditional and Portable plans must complete a retirement estimate request form prior to scheduling an appointment or requesting a written estimate.

To access the retirement, estimate request form:

1. Visit www.surs.org and click on Member Login to gain access to your member webpage. After logging in to your secure member webpage, click on Retirement Counseling on the left menu and complete the retirement estimate request form for either a written estimate or a retirement counseling appointment. Once this form is completed and submitted electronically, you will be prompted to follow a link to schedule an appointment. Currently, we are offering Virtual (via Microsoft Teams), Office, or Telephone Appointments. Alternatively,

2. Call SURS at (800) 275-7877 to request a form. SURS will send a retirement estimate request form via U.S. Mail to the member’s home address or fax. Once the completed form is returned, SURS will immediately notify you via U.S. mail or electronic notification on your member web page that you can contact SURS to schedule an appointment.

3. IMPORTANT: The accuracy of your estimate(s) is only as good as the information provided to SURS. SURS does not have access to your current salary, vacation, or sick leave balances. Therefore, please collect the following information prior to logging in to complete the electronic form (or completing the paper version):

        o Anticipated retirement dates (you may choose 2 dates, not further out than 5 years)

        o If academic: length of base contract

        o Salary: if academic, base salary, plus summer or any overloads, if applicable

        o Salary: if staff, salary plus expected overtime

        o Percentage of anticipated salary increases

        o Sick leave balances (unused/unpaid sick leave earned prior to 01/01/84 or after 01/01/98)

        o Vacation balance

        o Information on other service such as eligible purchases or reciprocal service

4. Once a counseling appointment has been scheduled, you should receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email confirmation that day, please contact SURS to confirm that the appointment was scheduled correctly. The confirmation email includes a link to the scheduling site. If it is necessary to cancel or reschedule, this link can be used up until 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time. If the appointment needs to be rescheduled or cancelled within 48 hours prior to the appointment, you will need to contact a SURS representative at (800) 275-7877.

5. In a counseling appointment, you will receive benefit estimates based on information you provided. In addition. In addition, information will be provided on any eligible purchases, reciprocal service, the retirement application process, death and survivor benefits, insurance benefits and post-retirement employment restrictions. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

6. If you requested a written estimate, you should receive your estimates within 45-60 days of your request. If you do not receive them within this timeframe, contact a SURS representative at (800) 275-7877.

Please keep in mind that while SURS members are limited to only one counseling appointment or written estimates every 12 months, we are always happy to assist you! If after your appointment or written estimate, you still have questions, please feel free to call (800) 275-7877 to speak with a Member Service Representative. SURS hours are Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

www.surs.org

Illinois' Central Management Services is hosting events in February through Be Well Illinois, the state’s new comprehensive approach to wellness.

Be Well Illinois is designed to focus on supporting your physical, mental, financial, and social wellbeing. As a wellness plan member, you can use this site to access health plan information and educational resources including wellness webinars, monthly health awareness causes, financial wellness, healthy eating, and exercise.

Be Well Illinois will host a February 25 webinar called "Improving Social Wellness to Boost Mental Health" from noon to 1 p.m. If interested in this specific webinar, you may register directly for the February 25 event here.

The Illinois Meningitis Information Law and Illinois Communicable Disease Prevention Act requires that Eastern Illinois University shall inform new students and the campus community about meningitis and its transmission. As required by these laws, a brochure for students and parents regarding meningitis, as well as other information and links, is available on-line at https://www.eiu.edu/health/meningitis.php.

The SBL-EIU Medical Clinic also offers the meningitis ACWY conjugate accine, subject to availability of the vaccine from the manufacturer. For additional questions regarding the vaccine, please call the SBL-EIU Medical Clinic at (217) 581-3013.

A map showing the location of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on the campus of Eastern Illinois University is available at: eiu.edu/health/aed. AEDs are portable, life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly.

If anyone is experiencing actual or suspected cardiac arrest, call 911.  University Police and local EMS will respond, both of which have access to AEDs if one is not nearby.

If you believe that an AED is malfunctioning, please report this to  Dr. Matthew Warner at mrwarner@eiu.edu or (217) 581-7786.

• Must be graduating in the Spring, Summer, or Fall 2026.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

• Students may apply by submitting the online application form.
• Anyone within the EIU community (faculty, staff, alumni, parents, etc.) may nominate a student by submitting the online nomination form.

Booth Library invites the campus and community to events Wednesday and Thursday, February 25 and 26, for two featured public talks as part of the EIU Children’s Literature Symposium.

The EIU Children’s Literature Symposium is a two-day celebration honoring the importance, craftsmanship, and rich history of literature created for children. Through partnerships between Booth Library’s Ballenger Teachers Center, the EIU College of Education and Department of English, Charleston CUSD #1 elementary schools, and St. John’s Lutheran School, the symposium exemplifies the strong and collaborative bonds between Eastern Illinois University and the surrounding community.

The talks will allow the campus and greater community to engage with two accomplished professionals in the field of children’s literature. Both presentations are free and open to the public.

• Wednesday, February 25
  5:00 p.m. Reception; 5:30 p.m. Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Ph.D.
  Making Books for ALL Children: A Celebration of My Life's Work
  Dr. Gilchrist will join us for an Alumni edition of our speaker series, Authors@EIU. She has illustrated 109 children’s books, authored 5 children’s books and a host of academic and textbook illustrations. Dr. Gilchrist holds a B.S. degree in Art Education from EIU; an M.A. in Painting from the University of Northern Iowa; an M.F.A. from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a Ph.D. in English from Madison University.
• Thursday, February 26
  5:00 p.m. Reception; 5:30 p.m. Suzan Alteri, Ph.D.
  Racism and Representation in Children's Literature
  Dr. Alteri is Assistant Director of the Center for Children’s Books at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. She previously served as Curator of the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature at the University of Florida, one of the world’s most significant collections documenting the history of children’s books.

Each presentation will be followed by question-and-answer sessions. Parking is free and open to the public after 5:00 p.m. Also publicly available Thursday, February 26, at 4:00 p.m. will be Children's Literature Research Lightning Rounds in which Faculty scholars who conduct research in the field of children's literature will share their findings.

Community members, students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend our public events to celebrate the importance of literature for children and early learning, and to engage with leading voices in children’s literature scholarship, including a distinguished EIU alumna.

For more information: Diane Highland; Events & Exhibits Coordinator, Booth Library; dehighland@eiu.edu / 217-581-6061

As required by the Federal Drug Free Schools and Campuses Act, the university must publicize an drug and alcohol prevention program notice (DAAPP) relating to student, staff and faculty expectations and standards of conduct related to alcohol and other drugs, related sanctions and laws, programs and resources, and commonly misused substances. This information can be found online at http://www.eiu.edu/mandatedinformation/drug.php.

Try out our new Booth Library website and leave a review! Contribute to making Booth Library easier to use for students, staff, community members, and faculty!  

Visit: eiu.edu/booth-test

Position

The Department of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation (KSR) at Eastern Illinois University is seeking applications from innovative and student-centered candidates for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Exercise Science position. Primary responsibilities include teaching a broad tenet of classes in the undergraduate Exercise Science and graduate Exercise Physiology programs. The start date is August 16, 2026. Housed in the College of Health and Human Services, the department strives to be prospective students' first choice in the Midwest to earn a degree in the undergraduate fields of Exercise Science, Physical Education Teacher Education, Sport & Recreation Management and the graduate fields of Exercise Physiology and Sport Administration.

Qualifications

Doctoral degree in Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology or closely related field is required. Qualified candidates who are ABD by the start date of August 16, 2026 will be considered. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate the ability to deliver high-quality, student-centered instruction. The ideal candidate will have experience utilizing innovative and collaborative teaching methods, including active learning strategies and current technologies, to promote critical thinking and communication competency. NSCA/CSCS certification is preferred as well as demonstrated interest in exercise psychology. Research and scholarly activities will be part of the well-rounded professional experience. The successful candidate will be expected to network with community, regional and state-level practitioners, alumni, and prospective students to maintain program alignment with current and anticipated industry trends and workforce needs.

The College and Department

The College of Health and Human Services was created in 2018 as a hub for health and human services-related programs at Eastern Illinois University. The College fosters academic rigor and experiential learning, preparing students to become critical thinkers and leaders who advance the health and well-being of the communities they serve as professional practitioners and private citizens. 

The Department of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation is the largest of the academic units in the College with a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of more than 300 students and plays a critical role in fulfilling the interprofessional goals of the college through industry-driven degree options. The Department is located in the Lantz building, a high-volume recreation center and athletics venue, on the west side of EIU’s beautiful campus and benefits from strong relationships with EIU Campus Recreation and the EIU Athletics Department. The Department houses 15 faculty and staff, along with ten classrooms and two labs all in Lantz. The Department offers rewarding undergraduate degree programs in Sport & Recreation Management, Exercise Science, and Physical Education Teacher Education. Graduate programs include degrees in Exercise Physiology and Sport Administration. Program alumni are engaged in meaningful careers across the U.S. and are critical to successfully connecting current students with practicing professionals. 

The University and Its Community

Eastern Illinois University, located in the east-central Illinois community of Charleston, has a rich tradition of over 120 years of preparing students to accomplish their professional and life goals through a combination of quality academics and personal relationships. The beautiful 320-acre campus is host to approximately 7,000 students and 400 faculty members in a town of approximately 20,000 residents. EIU offers active research opportunities, cultural events, NCAA Division I athletics, and an engaged student body that is on par with larger universities. Charleston has all the advantages of a small, rural town (e.g., lower cost of living, a safe community, a short commute) within a two-to-three-hour drive of Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.

Application Instructions

Applications received by February 27, 2026 will receive priority review. The position will remain open until filled. Interested candidates should submit: a) letter of application addressing qualifications, strengths, and experience relative to the responsibilities and desired qualities; b) current CV; c) unofficial transcripts; and d) names and contact information of three professional references who can comment on professional experiences and qualifications of the candidate.

Applications must be submitted through Interfolio. Questions about the search process should be directed to Dr. Stacey Ruholl, search committee chair at slruholl@eiu.edu.

Following the events of November 10 and in an effort to strengthen campus safety and emergency communication, the University is offering campus training opportunities and updating our alert procedures.

Effective immediately, all employees and students who have a cell phone number on record will automatically receive emergency text alerts. This replaces our previous opt-in system. Anyone who does not wish to receive text alerts will now need to opt out. If the University does not have your current cell phone number, you may add it (along with up to three additional numbers) by logging into Alert EIU. 

The campus emergency management team will also offer three upcoming A.L.I.C.E. training sessions. Participants in A.L.I.C.E. sessions learn about the actions that everyday people can take to survive a dangerous encounter with a violent intruder.

Upcoming A.L.I.C.E. Sessions:

• Tues., Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union, Arcola/Tuscola Room (FULL)
• Wed., Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union, Arcola/Tuscola Room (FULL)
• Mon., Feb. 16, 3 to 4:30 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union  Greenup Room 
• Fri., Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union, Arcola/Tuscola Room (FULL)
• Tues., Mar. 3, from 2-3:30 pm - MLK Jr. Union  Charleston-Mattoon Room 
• Wed., Mar. 11, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union  Charleston-Mattoon Room 

Register for A.L.I.C.E. sessions here.

If your office, department, or organization would prefer an individualized session, please contact the Eastern Illinois University Police Department at 217-581-3213 or police@eiu.edu to schedule.

Spring permits are available online. Please visit our website at eiuparking.t2hosted.com/Account/Portal and select "Get Permits" to purchase your permit.

• Please note that yearly permits are only offered in the fall semester.  Students, faculty, and staff who plan to park on campus during parking enforcement will be required to display a valid parking permit. If you live on campus (including all Residential Halls, Greek Court, University Apartments, University Court) your vehicle will need a valid parking permit displayed.
  • Faculty/staff permits may be purchased through payroll deduction or credit/debit cards at this link. They will be distributed via campus mail to your campus department address. As stated in the parking rules and regulations, no one is eligible to purchase a permit if they owe parking fines. Please check your EIU email for fine invoices or other communications regarding parking. 
  • Student permits ordered will be mailed to the student’s local or campus address. If you are not living in campus housing, please make sure your local address is updated on PAWS. Students may bill their student account, or credit/debit cards are accepted online.

Parking Lot Map/Information and 2026 Changes may be found by visiting eiu.edu/police/parkingareas.

The regular student lots will not be enforced until Tuesday, January 20, 2026.