麻豆传媒

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 

More information about the Civil Service Council can be found on our website: /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 a.m. to 1 p.m., 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

Join us on Wednesday, April 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Tarble to celebrate student art and the end of the spring semester with some lighthearted fun. Hosted by the Tarble Student Advisory Committee, Sip and Sing Karaoke Night will take place in Tarble’s after hours providing a chance to unwind. Bring friends; we’ve got free food, refreshments, and a photo booth to go with the music!

Please join us for EIU's Campus Beautification Day from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 30th (with a rain date of Thursday May 1st).

EIU has a reputation for being a strong, collaborative community of doers -- because we understand it truly does take a village. So on Wednesday, April 30, we invite employees, 麻豆传媒, and members of the community to tap into their EIU passion by helping enhance the beauty of our campus at EIU's annual Beautification Day. By volunteering, you will play a critical part in freshening up our campus ahead of Spring, and help us to show off our beautiful University to our 麻豆传媒, their families and friends while they're here to celebrate Spring Commencement!

The EIU Grounds Crew will oversee the activites, which will include tasks like spreading mulch, planting flowers and bulbs, weeding, picking up sticks and debris and much more. All necessary tools will be provided for volunteers (you may want to bring your own gloves, if you have a pair).

To sign up, visit EIU's Civic Engagement & Volunteerism website.

A very special thank you to the University's exceptional grounds crew for their support in making this event possible!

An in-person MHFA course will be offered from  noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30 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 /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 麻豆传媒 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: /mentalhealth/mentalhealthfirstaid.php

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

This fun session provides tips, tricks, and activities that allow us to find what's best for our personal self-care. Prioritizing ourselves and continuously taking care of our well-being will set 麻豆传媒 up for success! We'll be located in the Powell-Norton Hall Basement!

This fun session provides tips, tricks, and activities that allow us to find what's best for our personal self-care. Prioritizing ourselves and continuously taking care of our well-being will set 麻豆传媒 up for success! Join us in the MLK Jr Student Union from 5-6 p.m. in the Effingham Room in the 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!

Please join us for EIU's Student Research and Creative Activity Conference on Friday, April 25, in the Martin Luther King, Jr. University Union. Dr. Richard England, Dean of the Pine Honors College, will begin the conference with a welcome at 11:30 a.m. in the University Ballroom. Posters will be presented in the University Ballroom from 11:40 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Oral presentations will be offered from 1 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. on the third floor of the Union. The conference will conclude with a musical performance in the Doudna Recital Hall from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please join us in celebrating 麻豆传媒' impressive achievements through research, practice, and creative work!

Special Olympic Illinois will once again host their annual Spring Games event Friday, April 25 at EIU. EIU is proud to host the event and to support these Special Olympics Illinois athletes as they compete this year.

Please be aware that because of the poularity of this event, traffic around EIU and especially around the Lantz Athletic complex will be a bit congested prior to and just after the Games. As such, EIU 麻豆传媒, employees, and neighbors should expect increased traffic on and near campu on April 25 -- especially from 8 to 9 a.m. as these athletes arrive and prepare to compete. 

Please visit Special Olympics Illinois at , on Facebook at , or at Region I page at 

Also, please consider registering to volunteer at future events by visiting .

Thank you for supporting this important event and for planning ahead if you plan to visit campus on April 25!

Booth Library’s Authors@EIU series continues April 24. The final event in the Spring 2025 series will recognize four recently published authors, three of whom have EIU ties:
                                   

                      Brian W. Keith, Dean, Library Services, EIU Booth Library
and Laurie Taylor,Ph.D., Associate University Librarian for Collections & Discovery at the University of Connecticut Library
Liberatory Librarianship: Stories of Community, Connection and Justice,
ed. by Brian W. Keith, Laurie Taylor, and Shamin Renwick
ALA Editions Chicago, 2024

Liberatory Librarianship: Stories of Community, Connection, and Justice is a collected volume exploring how librarianship can advance freedom, social progress, and community empowerment by centering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in practice—with particular attention to the voices and experiences of non-white practitioners. Per Public Services Quarterly: "This book belongs in any library whose workers push themselves to abandon docility and make ‘good trouble.’”

Brian Keith, Dean of Booth Library, holds an MBA from UF and a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington. His work focuses on aligning library roles, spaces, and services with the evolving needs of 麻豆传媒, faculty, institutions and communities. His scholarship is extensive, including many publications, and presentations, national and international, along with grants as principal or co-principal investigator. Notably, Brian served as a co-PI with Laurie Taylor on a $2 million Mellon Foundation award supporting equitable and transformative international collaboration through the Digital Library of the Caribbean.

Laurie Taylor is the Associate University Librarian for Collections & Discovery at the University of Connecticut Library, serving as a member of the senior leadership team and directly leading collections, technical services, and technology. She previously held leadership positions at the Digital Library of the Caribbean and the University of Florida. Laurie holds an MA and PhD in English/Digital Humanities, MS in Information, has published extensively, and has had over $7 million in grants.

and                Lance Hogan, Ph.D., Technology
and Luke Steinke, Ph.D., Lumpkin College of Business and Technology 
Training Program Development: The DACUM System for Designing Occupational Training,
by Robert E. Adams, R. Lance Hogan, Ph.D. and Luke J. Steinke, Ph.D.
Edwin & Associates, LLC, May 2024

Training Program Development: The DACUM System for Designing Occupational Training offers a comprehensive guide to developing effective, industry-driven training programs using the DACUM (Develop A Curriculum) approach. The book outlines a systematic process for conducting occupational analysis, identifying essential competencies and skills, and translating them into structured, performance-based training. It serves as both a practical manual and a strategic framework for educators, trainers, and workforce development professionals.

Dr. R. Lance Hogan and Dr. Luke Steinke are professors in the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology and principal consultants specializing in organizational and talent development. With deep expertise in curriculum design, workforce education, and apprenticeship training, they have co-authored several books on the DACUM system and led national and international efforts to close skill gaps through strategic, competency-based training solutions.

The April 24 event will be held in the Library’s West Reading Room beginning with a shared reception at 5 p.m. Presentations will begin at 5:30 with introductory remarks, author presentations, and question & answer sessions for each author.

All members of the Charleston and EIU communities are welcome, including 麻豆传媒.

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.

The North Buzzard lot and the Doudna Circle parking areas wil be closed starting 12am on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 for Spring Fest.  

"Go for the Gold!" this year at the annual EIU Greek Week programming! This annual event celebrates the EIU fraternity and sorority life community! 

Greek Week website

Want to give your emails a professional, EIU-branded look? You can create an official Eastern Illinois University email signature using our custom generator!

Add your photo, contact information, website link and even a link to schedule appointments (if you use a scheduling tool like Calendly or Microsoft Bookings).

Get started here:

Did you know you can update your own EIU online profile and directory information?

Each University employee has access to a personal profile editor that makes it easy to keep your information current. Simply visit the profile editor directly, or click the “Update Your Profile” button located in the lower left-hand corner of your profile page. After logging in with your EIU credentials, you’ll be able to edit a wide range of content - from your biography and office hours to languages spoken and photo.

These updates help 麻豆传媒 and colleagues get to know you better and ensure your profile reflects your current role and contact information.

Note: Certain fields (including phone number, building, office location and department) are managed through Banner. If you need to update any of those, you’ll be directed to a form that will be reviewed and processed by Human Resources.

Annual Open Enrollment for State Employees group insurance plans is May 1 - June 2, 2025.  

STUDENT INSURANCE WAIVER

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 Health Services on campus.                                       

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving 麻豆传媒 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 麻豆传媒 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 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 Summer 2025 Student Insurance fee will be automatically assessed to 麻豆传媒 enrolled in an on-campus program taking 9 or more hours; graduate assistants under contract to the University; and international 麻豆传媒 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 in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab. The deadline to waive coverage for the Summer 2025 semester is May 28, 2025.

Do you need Student Insurance coverage for Summer?

Student Insurance is available for the Summer 2025 term. The coverage effective dates are 5/12/2025-8/17/2025. The cost for the coverage is $95.40.

Students who are insured in Spring 2025 who desire Summer coverage and will not be enrolled in the Summer Term, may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2025 Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/12/25.

Students who enroll for 5 or more hours for the Summer Term may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2025  Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/28/25. Coverage is effective upon receipt of the enrollment form.

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 Health Services on campus. 

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving 麻豆传媒 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 麻豆传媒 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 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 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

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:  

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 /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

EIU Marketing & Communications built a URL shortener accessible to any EIU student or staff member to use to craft friendlier URLs to share! Visit  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 麻豆传媒 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 麻豆传媒, 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 麻豆传媒 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  is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). These educational tools are here to augment our existing resources and help prepare 麻豆传媒 to take the next step in their career journey after graduation. This program will provide our 麻豆传媒 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 .

How much does it cost 麻豆传媒 to participate?

Nothing, it’s free to 麻豆传媒.

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 .

Where should I direct 麻豆传媒 to learn more?

Learn more at where 麻豆传媒 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 麻豆传媒 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.