Join us for EIU’s inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Breakfast on January 20, 2025. 

Breakfast begins at 8:15 a.m., followed by a panel discussion at 9 a.m. in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Grand Ballroom.

Don’t miss this opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy with the EIU community.

RSVP at go.eiu.edu/mlkbreakfast.

Spring 2025 dates for Mental Health First Aid are currently being set.  A number of dates and times are being offered.  Additional offerings are expected to be added throughout the spring semester. 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 is a skills-based training course created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance-use issues. In this training you will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how 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, available dates, and sign-up machform may be found at: https://www.eiu.edu/mentalhealth/Mentalhealthfirstaid.php

Starting January 1, 2025, all position announcements are required to include pay and benefits information.  The required information must include the wage or salary (or a defined pay range) and general description of benefits for the advertised position.  If a department is planning to conduct a search to fill an open position, please ensure the pay and benefits information for the position is included in the announcement.  Should you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Office at (217) 581-3911 or the Office of Civil Rights & Diversity at (217) 581-5020 or civil@eiu.edu.

Booth Library’s collection of graphic novels and comics just got much bigger.  Our new subscription to Comics Plus includes nearly 27,000 digital comics, graphic novels and nonfiction, manga, and children’s picture books – all with no checkout limits or simultaneous user restrictions. 

To access Comics Plus, first create an account, then use your login and password to browse and read the collection.

Your login credentials for Comics Plus can also be used with the iOS or Android apps.  Within the app, choose “Eastern Illinois University IL” as your school.

Need research help but can’t make it to the library? Booth Library now offers Video Chat with an EIU Librarian via Microsoft Teams! Get personalized, 1:1 research assistance wherever you are—on your computer or mobile device.

Features include:

• Voice chat, screen sharing, and camera-optional consultations.
• Easy access: Simply enter a chat waiting room, and a librarian will be there to assist.

Visit our website to connect and take your research to the next level!

What could be more fun than whimsical winter scenes coming to life as a way to experience progress toward better health? When you record daily behaviors you “paint” magical winter scenes from around the world — while building sustainable habits to end the year with more energy and stronger feelings of joy and hope. This lighthearted program helps you have a healthier, happier holiday season.

Part of your responsibility in driving a university owned vehicle is to report any accidents involving that vehicle to Mike Hutchinson, the University Risk Manager. You will need to come to Old Main - Room 1140 within 48 hours to fill out a claim report. If there is a police report, please bring it with you. Incidents involving damage to university property must also be reported. If you are unable to come into the office, call (217) 581-2921.

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 2 short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

Spring 2025 semester students enrolled in 5 or more hours (any program format), are eligible for coverage. Please note, students enrolled in an on-campus program taking 9 or more hours,

Graduate Assistant, and international students enrolled in an on-campus program with a minimum of 3 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 27, 2025. 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 2 short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

The Spring 2025 Student Insurance fee will be automatically assessed to students enrolled in an on-campus program taking 9 or more hours; graduate assistants under contract to the University; and international students enrolled in an on-campus program taking 3 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. The deadline to waive coverage for the Spring 2025 semester is January 27, 2025.

EIU offers a 403(b) plan for eligible employees.  A 403(b) plan is a tax-deferred retirement program that permits an employee to reduce his or her compensation on a pre-tax (or Roth, if applicable) basis and have the contribution deposited into a 403(b) investment.  

The IRS has released new contribution limits for 403(b) plans, which can be found at this link: Eastern Illinois University :: Benefit Services - 403B Universal Availability Notice

To enroll in a 403(b) program, you must complete a Salary Reduction Agreement (SRA) Form, found on the HR Forms tab here: Eastern Illinois University :: Human Resources - HR Forms

For more information on 403(b) or other Retirement or Investment plans, please go to the "Retirement" tab on the Benefits webpage, found here: Eastern Illinois University :: Benefit Services - Index  

If you have questions about retirement options, please contact the EIU Benefits Office at (217) 581-5825 or benefits@eiu.edu.  

University Gift Days for December 2024 are:

• Thursday, December 26
• Friday, December 27
• Monday, December 30 

Information regarding gift days can be found here: Holiday Schedule (eiu.edu).