SURS representatives will be on campus on March 3, 2026 for their annual visit to meet with employees who are considering retirement. The schedule for individual meetings will be available in mid-January 2026. Please watch the Newsletter for instructions on how to sign up. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Benefits Office at 217-581-5825.

Dear Colleagues,

The University will be closed in observance of the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday on:

• Thursday, November 27, 2025
• Friday, November 28, 2025

We will also observe 2025 Christmas and 2025/2026 New Year's Eve/New Year's Day on Eastern's four official holidays:

• Wednesday, December 24, 2025
• Thursday, December 25, 2025
• Wednesday, December 31, 2025
• Thursday, January 1, 2026

Please note all offices must remain open through December 23, 2025. The University will reopen for full service on Friday January 2, 2026.

In addition, per IGP #7.5, paid Gift Days for 2025 will be observed on:

• December 26, 2025
• December 29, 2025
• December 30, 2025

Employees, including probationary employees, will not have to use their own leave time for these days. Essential employees of the University will still be required to work on one or more of the Gift days. Vice Presidents and/or Directors will identify those areas/employees deemed essential for University operations. An employee(s) identified as “essential” will be allowed to flex the Gift days at another time but must use that time by March 31, 2026. For more information regarding Gift days please visit here.  

Employees who are in probationary status who wish to use time outside of the Gift days (example, December 22, 23, January 2), will be allowed to use any available accrued leave or take leave without pay during the Holiday season, with supervisor approval. Probationary employees who wish to use accrued leave during the holiday period must submit the Civil Service Employee Request for Accrued Leave During Probation form online and available here.  

Supervisors are encouraged to approve time-off requests, unless the employment is required for essential duties during that period, or the time off impedes the ability for the office to remain open through December 23, 2025. Should an employee choose to take leave without pay, please note that accrued leave, sick leave and service credit will not be earned.

Please note that the following eligibility rules apply for holiday compensation:
Employees must be in an approved pay status, with or without pay, on the last scheduled workday before the holiday and the first scheduled work day following the holiday in order to receive holiday pay. Employees who are subject to the provisions of a prevailing-rate agreement or a collective bargaining agreement will be paid according to the terms of the respective agreement. 

Time reporting codes have previously been created for use on time sheets and leave reports.  If you do not have to work on December 26, 29 or 30, please report it under University Gift Day – Non-work (763).  If you must work on any of the Gift days, please report applicable time under University Gift Day – Time worked (764).  If you must work and flex your day(s) at another time, when you use that day, you will use the 763 – University Gift Day – Non-work at that time.

As in previous years, please make note of the adjusted monthly payroll schedule for December. The pay date for December will be on January 2, 2026.

Inquiries regarding this information may be directed to the Benefits Office at (217) 581-5825 or by e-mailing benefits@eiu.edu.

Thank you!

Human Resources

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
• Wed., Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union, Arcola/Tuscola Room
• Fri., Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union, Arcola/Tuscola 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.

Planning to participate in the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremonies? Please complete this form. This will help EIU prepare for seating arrangements and allow for reserved parking. 

Saturday, December 20 - Groniger Arena

Commencement would not be possible without the dedication of volunteers, as they play an essential role in creating a smooth and memorable experience for our graduates and their families! If you wish to volunteer for the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, December 20, please fill out this form.

Open volunteer roles in the main concourse, balcony, and ticket collection. If you have any questions, please contact mamorecraft@eiu.edu.

Food Court hours for Finals Week and first week in January 2026: 

• Thursday, December 18: 7:30 a.m. to 5p.m. 
• Friday, December 19: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• CLOSED Saturday, December 20 (2025) through Tueday, January 6 (2026)
• Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, January 7 through January 9: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• CLOSED Thursday and Friday, January 10 & 11
• Saturday, January 12: Resume regular hours:
  • Saturdays and Sundays: 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.
  • Mondays through Fridays: 7:30 a.m. through 10 p.m.

Doudna Events for December 8-14

After a joyful Holiday Fest we are excited to finish the semester with a week of concerts! We have the Eastern Symphonic Band, Jazz Combos, and the Composer Forum to wrap up the semester.

Eastern Symphonic Band

Monday, December 8, 7:30 p.m., Dvorak Concert Hall
$10 General Admission | $5 EIU Students

EIU's Eastern Symphonic Band will be performing with a guest ensemble: The Neoga High School Concert Band, under the direction of Becca Nail. The musical selections include a wide variety of styles which will be sure to satisfy your auditory palette!

Jazz Combos

Tuesday, December 9th, 7:30 p.m., The Theatre
Free to attend

Get ready to listen to EIU's Jazz Combos in the Theatre in an evening of ripping and wailing solos! The groups will perform classic jazz compositions along with new student compositions and arrangements.

Composer Forum

Thursday, December 11, 7:30 p.m., Recital Hall
Free to attend

Join us for an inspiring evening of world premieres performed by EIU music students! The ensembles will be performing works composed by EIU student composers.

Booth Library’s collections are constantly growing to meet the research and information needs of the EIU community. Last month, Booth Library acquired and cataloged 449 physical items (books, DVDs, government documents, archival resources, and more) and 1275 electronic resources (including ebooks, ejournals, digital audiobooks, EIU student theses, and streaming videos). Individual issues of current periodicals are excluded. 

The full lists are available at the Booth Library website.  All items are discoverable through the library’s online catalog.

New acquisitions include items selected for purchase by Booth’s subject librarians, donations, re-cataloged library items, freely available government publications, and consortium-wide purchases.

Please contact your subject librarian with any questions.

Student Insurance provides the student worldwide protection 24 hours a day. The Plan has a $100 deductible per diagnosis and pays up to 70% of eligible expenses for physician and hospital expenses, lab and x-ray, surgery, ambulance transport, physical therapy, maternity expenses, mental health and substance abuse issues. The Student Insurance Plan also reduces copays for prescription medications at the Medical Clinic, from SBL Prairie Pharmacy. 

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving students a choice in their care and provides coverage for treatment the student receives while they are at home, at school, and wherever they may travel. 

Student Insurance is an economical way to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses when family health plans do not cover 100% of medical costs because of deductibles, co-payment amounts, limitations on specific benefits, and out-of network penalties.  The Student Insurance Plan complements the family health plan.  Most students find it beneficial to carry both, particularly if the family plan has a deductible and/or coinsurance.

You can find more information about the Plan at www.eiu.edu/studentinsurance or by contacting our office at 217-581-5290. There are two short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

Spring 2026 semester students enrolled in five or more hours (any program format), are eligible for coverage. Please note, students enrolled in an on-campus program taking nine or more hours, Graduate Assistants, and international students enrolled in an on-campus program with a minimum of three hours are automatically billed for coverage.

Students wishing to enroll in the Student Insurance Plan must complete the Enrollment Form, available under the “My Health” tab in the students PAWS account. The deadline to enroll in the Plan is January 26, 2026. The cost of the coverage is $120.00.

Student Insurance provides the student worldwide protection, 24 hours a day. The Plan has a $100 deductible per diagnosis and pays up to 70% of eligible expenses for physician and hospital expenses, lab and x-ray, surgery, ambulance transport, physical therapy, maternity expenses, mental health, and substance abuse issues. The Student Insurance plan also covers prescriptions at the Medical Clinic, from SBL Prairie Pharmacy.                                     

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving students a choice in their care and provides coverage for treatment the student receives while they are at home, at school, and wherever they may travel. When you have other insurance, the Plan coordinates with the primary carrier. Student Insurance is an economical way to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses when family health plans do not cover 100% of medical costs because of deductibles, co-payment amounts, limitations on specific benefits, and out-of-network penalties. The Student Insurance Plan complements the family health plan. Most students find it beneficial to carry both, particularly if the family plan has a deductible and/or coinsurance.

You can find more information about the Plan at www.eiu.edu/studentinsurance or by contacting our office at 217-581-5290. There are two short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

The Spring 2026 Student Insurance fee will be automatically assessed to students enrolled in an on-campus program taking nine or more hours; graduate assistants under contract to the University; and international students enrolled in an on-campus program taking three or more hours.

Students wishing to waive the Student Insurance Plan must complete the Waiver Form available under the “My Health” tab in the students PAWS account. Student athletes and members of the Cheer Team are not allowed to waive the Student insurance. The deadline to waive coverage for the Spring 2026 semester is January 26, 2026.

Fall ‘25 Wind-Down & Finals Week Schedule: As we approach the last few weeks of Fall ’25, remember the Gregg Technology Center (GTC) opens at 7 a.m. (Monday through Friday), offers both color and black & white printing, and a nice quiet place to study by yourself or with a small group.

During Finals, the GTC will be open accordingly:

• December 15 (Monday) through December 18 (Thursday) – 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.*
• December 19 (Friday) – 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.*

* Due to staffing limitations and/or weather, the GTC lab may close earlier than the regular hours. Any closings will be posted.

EIU Marketing & Communications is excited to share our students’ college success through Merit Pages, a platform that highlights student achievements and allows us to tell our student's stories.

These stories include:

• Dean’s list inclusion
• Scholarships
• Presenting research/academic work
• Winning awards
• Internships
• Volunteering
• RSO & club involvement
• Work experience
• Other recognition & accomplishments

EIU's Merit Pages helps showcase student accomplishments from admission through graduation and creates an online presence that will set students apart as they enter the workforce. This makes it easier for employers, graduate schools and internship coordinators to discover and recognize student success. In partnership with EIU Marketing & Communications, Merit Pages also turns student accomplishments into personalized stories.

To learn more and suggest a Merit Page update, visit the Marketing & Communications Merit Page info site.