EIU President Jay Gatrell will host the University's Spring Update Tuesday, January 27. Coffee and donuts will be served in the Doudna Fine Arts Center Concourse between 8 and 8:30 a.m. with the update beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Dvorak Concert Hall.

WEIU will broadcast the event on its YouTube live streaming page for those unable to attend in person. 

Join us as we celebrate Mark Hudson's 25 years of service to EIU and incredible 40+ year career in Higher Education.  We will host a Retirement Reception in his honor on Friday, January 23, 2026 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the 1895 Room in the MLK Jr. University Union.

Join us as we celebrate Jody Stone and his 31+ years of loyal service here at EIU.  A Retirement Reception will be held on Friday, January 23, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the University Ballroom in the MLK Jr. University Union.

Win $1,000: Submit Your Art to Booth Library’s 75th Anniversary Showcase

In honor of its 75th anniversary, the Mary J. Booth Library invites Eastern Illinois University students and recent graduates to submit original works of art that celebrate the people, places, voices, and lived experiences of Central Illinois. This initiative will expand Booth Library’s permanent public art collection while spotlighting regional identity and student creativity. 

-Works of merit will be exhibited in a Spring 2026 showcase.
-From the exhibited works, the First Place Winner and Honorable Mentions will be jury-selected.
-1 First Place winner will receive a $1,000 prize and will have their work permanently installed in Booth Library.
-Up to 4 Honorable Mentions will receive $100 each.

Key Details:
Eligibility: Open to all current EIU students and recent alumni (graduated Spring 2023 or later).
Accepted Formats: 2D & 3D works in any medium suitable for wall mounting (no free-standing pieces can be accepted).
Deadline: January 16, 2026.
Submit via: https://tarbleartscenter.slideroom.com/#/login/program/86486

Works must be original and produced in their entirety by an individual artist. AI-assisted, AI-derived, and AI-generated works are ineligible for submission. Artists may submit up to 3 works for consideration.   Earn recognition for your creativity and talent! 

Full details and submission instructions at:  https://tarbleartscenter.slideroom.com/#/login/program/86486 

Questions? Please contact us at booth@eiu.edu. 

The Academic Advising office will be closed on Friday, January 16, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. This temporary closure will allow our students and staff to attend the Celebration of Life for our friend and co-worker, Tania Ward.

The office will re-open for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 20. We will respond to all emails and inquiries at that time. For any urgent issues or concerns, students should email their academic advisor and advising@eiu.edu.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please join us in celebrating Jonathan McKenzie’s 22+ years of service to Eastern Illinois University at a retirement reception in his honor from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28 in the Harry L. Crisp Conference Room at the Neal Welcome Center.

In accordance with the 2022-2026 EIU-UPI Unit A agreement, Summer Research and Creative Activity Awards are available this year. The awards are for research and creative activity projects conducted between the end of the spring semester and August 31, 2026 by tenured/tenure track faculty in Bargaining Unit A. Awards of $5,000 each in the form of personal services payments will be granted. 

Faculty who wish to apply for funding should apply no later than noon on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. To obtain a copy of the application materials, please visit our website: eiu.edu/grants. Applicants should be sure to use the most current application forms. Researchers who have previously received a Summer Research and Creative Activity Award should make sure all reports are on file in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at eiugrants@eiu.edu or (217) 581-2125.

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. 

Join us on Tuesdays and Fridays at Noon for Yoga for Every Body!  No experience necessary, all skill levels welcome, just bring a mat.  If you don't have a mat we have some extras to share.  What a a great way to kick off those New Year's resolutions!

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.

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 Saturday and Sunday, January 10 & 11
• Monday, 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.

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.