This year’s Benefits Fair will be held on Wednesday, May 21 in the Grand Ballroom of the MLK, Jr. University Union.  Representatives from several Health/Vision/Dental Plan vendors will be available to answer questions and provide current information regarding those plans.  Please feel free to come check out what’s new, ask questions about employee benefits, etc.

Also, representatives from CMS will provide presentations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the 1895 Room.  These presentations are open to all and will include time for questions.  Both presentations will cover the same information, so employees are encouraged to attend whichever session best fits their schedule. 

We hope to see you all there! As always, if you have any questions regarding your employee benefits, please call (217) 581-5825 or email benefits@eiu.edu.

The Civil Service Council serves as the voice for all civil service non-negotiated employees at Eastern Illinois University. Now is your chance to get involved and represent your colleagues!

We are seeking dedicated individuals to fill two-year terms for the following districts:

·         District I: President, VPUA, VPAA, and VPEM areas

·         District III: VPSA area

We are also seeking to fill a one-year term for one alternate from the District II: VPBA area.

Term Duration: June 1, 2025 – May 30, 2027

Eligibility

You must meet the following criteria to run:

1.      Be a permanent, non-negotiated employee

2.      Hold a continuous non-union position

3.      Be a non-academic employee

4.      Not hold an off-campus contract appointment

Key Dates

·         Nominations Deadline: April 30, 2025

·         Election Date: May 15, 2025

·         Notification of Results: May 16, 2025 or shortly thereafter

How to Apply

If you’re ready to represent and advocate for your peers, submit your nomination form by April 30, 2025 using the link below. You will need to use your EIU network ID to access the.

Nomination Form

More information about the Civil Service Council can be found on our website: https://www.eiu.edu/council/.

Be the voice of your district. Step forward and make an impact!

Celebrate your hard work with an Employee Appreciation Picnic! Join us at the Campus Pond Pavilion for a meal and a well-deserved break.

11:30 am - 1 pm, Wednesday, May 14

On the menu:

• Lawn games!
• Hamburgers / Cheeseburgers / Vegan Burgers!
• Hot Dogs!
• Chips!
• Cookies!
• Soda & Water!

Rain location: Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. University Union

The Inaugural 2025 PANTHER FUND RUN/WALK to benefit Eastern Illinois Student-Athletes will take place Saturday, April 26, 2025:

Location:
EIU Football Stadium Parking Lot

Schedule:

• Registration: 9:00 a.m.
• 5K Fun Run/Walk: 9:45 a.m.
• Mile Fun Run/Walk: 10:00 a.m.
• EIU PANTHERS Spring Football Game: 11:00 a.m.

Registration Fees:

• Adults: $30
• EIU Students: $15
• Ages 12-18: $15
• Ages 11 & under: Free
• Non-Competitor Lunch: $10 
• Non-Competitor T-Shirt & Lunch: $20

Race Includes:

• T-Shirt
• Entrance to post-race tailgate with complimentary lunch
• One complimentary general admission ticket to the EIU season opener (August 28 vs Dayton)
• Note: There is no admission to the Spring Football Game; feel free to invite friends and family to join us!

Fun Activities:

• Bounce House and Obstacle Course (open during the race and football game)
• Post-game autograph session with EIU Football players

Course Details:

• The course will take you through the EIU Panther Athletics facilities, starting and ending in the EIU Football Stadium parking lot.
• This is a non-timed race
• Strollers are welcome
• No pets allowed

We look forward to seeing you at this fun-filled event supporting the Panther Club and EIU student-athletes!

Register today! https://commerce.cashnet.com/eiuathl21

TEMPORARY LOT CLOSING - Due to Special Olympics Illinois - Spring Games 2025 this event will be on April 25th and the Stadium, and J-Lots will be closed beginning at 5:00pm Thursday, April 24. These lots will remain closed throughout the event ending Friday night. Please find an alternative parking lot that is designated for your parking permit. Special Olympics planners and UPD appreciates everyone's support and understanding during this temporary inconvenience.  Thank you.

An in-person MHFA course will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 24 in the Arcola/Tuscola Room in the MLK Jr. Union.  Participants must attend both sessions.   Those interested in registering should complete the registration/interest MACHFORM found at https://www.eiu.edu/mentalhealth/mentalhealthfirstaid.php  Individuals should be registered no later than Friday, April 18.

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: https://www.eiu.edu/mentalhealth/mentalhealthfirstaid.php

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

Sarah Bush Lincoln Mammography Services will once again have their mobile mammography van on campus, providing digital mammograms.  The van will be on campus Thursday, April 17 at 9 a.m., located in the drive between the Alumni Clock Tower and Lumpkin Hall/Library Quad.  This service is available to all women aged 35 or older.  Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be accepted as time permits.  Please call 1-800-639-5929 for more information or to schedule an appointment.  

And remember... Early detection saves lives!

Healthy Cooking 101 #4: Food Pranks for Healthy Fun!

April fools? Why not celebrate a little late? Join us for food pranks where what you make isn't exactly what you think it is.  Foods to be made include "Big Macs and Mac & Cheese." 

Date: 4/10/2025   
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Klehm Hall 2309   

Sign up form: https://www.eiu.edu/herc/machform/view.php?id=105850

This presentation focuses on sleep habits including tips and tricks for a good night's rest. Join us in Blair Hall, Room 2165 from 5 to 6 p.m.!

Join HERC staff as we cover information to help you sleep better!. Ask HERC staff about upcoming programs and questions about what you can do to get a good nights rest. We'll be at the MLK Jr Student Union's Food Court Table from 9 a.m. to noon on 4/9 and 1 to 4:30 p.m. on 4/10!

Booth Library invites the campus and community to join us for our speaker series this Spring semester, Authors@EIU. Two authors will be featured on Tuesday, April 9 at our Authors@EIU series to celebrate the research, scholarship and creative success of EIU faculty who have recently achieved publication of a book.  

The library recognizes and celebrates the diverse, robust community of EIU teaching faculty who are contributing to scholarship or popular learning through this series and has added the featured publications to the library’s collection.

Please mark your calendars to attend Authors@EIU, April 9 at 5 p.m. in Booth Library’s West Reading Room:
 

•  Mari Kita, Ph.D., Sociology
  Offender Care and Support by Families in Contemporary Japan
• Niall Nance-Carroll, Ph.D., English
  Child Activist Literature at the Turn of the 2020s
   

Events will include a shared reception at 5 p.m. Presentations will begin at 5:30 p.m. with introductory remarks, followed by presentations and question & answer sessions for each author. 

All members of the Charleston and EIU communities are welcome, including students. Please join your colleagues in recognizing these accomplishments and for stimulating dialogues.

Learn tips and tricks to practice self-care and take care of your mental health! Join us at the Taylor Hall Breezeway fron noon to 2!

Feeling stressed out? Becoming more aware of your stressors at our tabling event at Taylor Hall from noon to 2 p.m.!

Join us at the Tarble Arts Center on Saturday, April 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the Tarble Art Center’s spring exhibition cycle featuring the work of EIU students. This event is free and refreshments will be served. The awards ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m.. More information can be found on the Tarble's website.

For more details/tickets: doudnatix.universitytickets.com

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the Council on Faculty Research would like to congratulate the faculty members who received a 2025 Summer Research and Creative Activity Award.

The faculty members who will receive an award are:

• Michael Beck, Chemistry and Biochemistry
• John Bickford, Teaching, Learning, & Foundations
• Melissa  Caldwell, English
• Gary Canivez, Psychology
• Rebecca Johnson, Music
• Jinhyuk Lim, Physics
• Caitlin Lynch, Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology
• Scott Meiners, Biological Sciences
• Britto Nathan, Biological Sciences
• Julie Park, Music
• Gopal Periyannan, Chemistry and Biochemistry
• James Riley, Geology and Geography
• Radu Semeniuc, Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Robert Strausbaugh, Physics
• Anne Thibault Geen, Theatre
• Carly Wahl, Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation

Nominations are being sought for Eastern Illinois University's 2025 Faculty Laureate. Each year, this award recognizes a faculty member for excellence in teaching general education classes. Nominations and supporting materials should be submitted to Patty Watson pawatson@eiu.edu, VPAA Office. The deadline for submitting nominations and supporting materials is 4 p.m., April 7, 2025.

What makes EIU a great place to work? Help us create a Top 10 Reasons to Work at EIU list by sharing what you enjoy about working at EIU the most! 

If you're a current employee, take a moment to submit your response by April 4th:  Survey Link

Thank you for helping us celebrate what makes EIU special! Your involvment in completing this survey has the potential to proactively and positively impact EIU's work culture and enhance EIU's prospective employee applicant pool now and in the future. Your insights will help us to attract top talent and inspire future applicants!

As you may already be aware, Health Alliance will be discontinuing its health insurance plans on December 31, 2025. The HR and Benefits Office staff at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) want to ensure you are fully informed regarding the transition, and to detail next steps for those who may be impacted.

EIU has recently received guidance from Central Management Systems (CMS) on how employees will need to proceed with this change. CMS has determined that the relationship with Health Alliance will be terminated effective July 1, 2025. Consequently, during the upcoming Open Enrollment period, ALL current Health Alliance enrollees must select a new health plan or opt out of coverage between May 1, 2025, and June 2, 2025. If affected employees fail to make this change, they will be automatically enrolled into the highest premium plan, Quality Care Health Plan.

If you wish to continue with an HMO plan, CMS offers several other HMO options from which to choose. Additionally, there are Open Access Plans (OAP), which include both HMO and PPO coverage options, as well as traditional PPO policies. Information about the 2026 Benefits Choice period will be available at https://www.eiu.edu/humanres/benefits/healthinsurance.php once CMS has published the materials. 

In preparation for this transition, the Benefits Office will be offering informational sessions before May 1 to help employees understand their options and the enrollment process. These sessions will provide valuable information to help in  making informed decisions when Open Enrollment begins May 1. The enrollment process will be conducted online through MyBenefits*.
*NOTE: If you have never logged in before or need assistance, please attend one of these sessions where EIU can walk you through the process and provide guidance on ensuring your current healthcare providers remain in-network with the plan you select.

Please keep an eye on your email and the EIU Newsletter for additional details regarding the informational sessions.

If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please reach out to the Benefits Office. We are here to help and to assist you through this transition.

CALL: (217) 581-5825

EMAIL: benefits@eiu.edu

The logo contest for EIU Comic Fest is open. This is a great opportunity for students to get involved and showcase their creativity. The winning logo will be awarded a prize of $300! Entrants must be a current Eastern student and the logo must be original artwork that in no way uses copyrighted images. Information on the contest and the submission form are available at: https://www.eiu.edu/comicfest/logo.php.

EIU Comic Fest will be held at Booth Library on Saturday, September 27, 2025. EIU students, staff, faculty, and registered student groups are encouraged to participate. More information about Comic Fest can be found at https://www.eiu.edu/comicfest/.

The Doudna Fine Arts Center has scheduled HVAC repairs that will impact areas with rooms starting with 1700, 1800, 1900, 2700, 2800 and 2900. Please see below for details and time. 

DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 27, 2025 – Friday, April 11, 2025
PURPOSE OF OUTAGE: Repair HVAC System
CONSIDERATIONS: During the outage there will be no temperature controls. Rooms may feel a bit cooler or warmer than usual depending on ambient temperatures.  Building will remain operational, but please plan accordingly. 

EIU Marketing & Communications built a URL shortener accessible to any EIU student or staff member to use to craft friendlier URLs to share! Visit go.eiu.edu where you can make your custom short URL and download EIU-branded QR codes. The university URL shortener and QR code maker is easier and more secure than third-party generators, so check it out before you share your stuff!

The Department of Biological Sciences has a number of events coming up that to celebrate the Department's 25th Anniversary! See below for a list of events:

• 5/1: Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Fair – The campus and local community are invited to attend as undergraduate students in Biological Sciences showcase their research and creative works. From 5 to 7 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the Life Sciences Building.
• 5/2: Cosmic Bowling Night – Students, faculty, emeritus faculty, and alumni are welcomed to Cosmic Bowling night at EIU Lanes, sponsored by The Department of Biological Sciences. Food provided. 7pm-9pm at EIU Lanes University Union.
• 5/2: 51st Annual Scholarship and Recognition Banquet – Current students, current and emeritus faculty, and alumni will be presented with various awards. The banquet will be held in the University Ballroom at 6:30 p.m.
• 5/3: Celebration Brunch – The Department of Biological Sciences will close out its 25th Anniversary Celebration with a Family Brunch at Sister City Park in Charleston. Students, Alumni, as well as past and present faculty, annuitants are invited to share in this final activity for 2025. A bike ride, a walk on Charleston’s newest trail with local flora and fauna shown by Barb Carlsward and Tom Hu, and other light fun are planned. Start time is 9 a.m.

Through a new Illinois state-wide partnership, Eastern Illinois University students will now receive free access to Kaplan’s industry-leading test prep resources for graduate admissions exams, licensure, and credentialing exams, as well as skills development courses.

This new program, called "Prepare for Illinois' Future Powered by Kaplan's All Access License,"  is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). These educational tools are here to augment our existing resources and help prepare students to take the next step in their career journey after graduation. This program will provide our students with free access to  40+ courses; equipping them to take required exams such as the GRE®, GMAT®, MCAT®, LSAT® and more.

What test prep courses are included?

The course options available will vary depending on their degree level. See the full list of courses offered at go.kaplan.com/illinois.

How much does it cost students to participate?

Nothing, it’s free to students.

When does the free access start?

The portal to enroll and begin courses is available now. Students can enroll whenever they are ready by visiting go.kaplan.com/illinois.

Where should I direct students to learn more?

Learn more at go.kaplan.com/illinois where students will be directed with further instructions to sign up through our school portal. Students must sign up using their school email address to get the free resources.

Further communications are planned to spread the word across campus. We appreciate your collaboration in ensuring students are aware of this new offering and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact this will have on their success. 

The Facilities Reinvestment Committee has released its final report outlining a multiyear, phased approach to enhancing EIU’s facilities. Additionally, the external assessment conducted by Cordogan Clark is now available for campus review.

As part of Plan 2028, EIU’s strategic plan, this reinvestment initiative aligns with the "Create" theme, emphasizing the need for comprehensive campus-wide facilities and capital planning. The last campus Master Plan was commissioned in 2010, and in the past 15 years, EIU has undergone significant changes in student and employee demographics, population and space utilization. However, campus facilities and landscapes have seen minimal updates. This reinvestment plan is designed to address these evolving needs and align with EIU’s long-term strategic goals.

You can review the full Facilities Reinvestment report here.

Many of the identified action items will require further campus engagement, with opportunities for input in the coming months. Please watch for additional updates soon.

If you have any questions about Facilities Reinvestment, please submit them using the following form: EIU Facilities Reinvestment Question Form.

Thank you for your engagement in shaping EIU’s future.