Faculty members who wish to walk during their commencement ceremony should let us know by filling out this form. This will help us ensure appropriate seating arrangements. Please arrive to the Student Rec Center 45 minutes before your posted ceremony time.

More details will be emailed to you before the ceremony. Please be sure to fill out the form to participate.

The ceremony schedule is as follows:

Saturday, Dec. 14

• 10 a.m. – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences & College of Education
• 1 p.m. – Lumpkin College of Business and Technology & College of Health and Human Services

Faculty members needing to rent a cap and gown can contact Herff Jones at pastorie@herffjones.com 

On December 9 & 10, members of All Things Pawsitive will bring certified therapy dogs to greet students from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Booth Library’s south entrance (by the clock tower). Stop by  and let these paws-itively enchanting pups help you melt away finals stress!

Booth Library Defies Gravity During Finals Week!

Take a break from the stress of finals and join us for Wicked themed- Finals Week Activities at Booth Library from December 5-12! Enjoy all-week events, including coloring sheets, Lego challenges, sending postcards, and jigsaw puzzles on the Main Floor.

Daily Highlights:

• Monday, Dec. 9
  🐾 Therapy Dogs: 2–4 p.m. (South Lobby) – Relax and de-stress with some furry friends!
  
• 📸 Photo Op: 3–5 p.m. (1000 level) – Strike a pose in front of the green screen and choose your own magical background.
  🎮 Retro Gaming: 3–8 p.m. (4000 level) – Featuring fan favorites like Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, Super Mario, and over 60 classic games.
  🍎 Snack Break: 6–7:30 p.m. (Booth Bridge) – Warm up with hot chocolate and grab some free school supplies to help you power through finals.
• Tuesday, Dec. 10
  🐾 Therapy Dogs: 2–4 p.m. (South Lobby) – Need a quick break? Spend time with these stress-relief experts!
  📸 Photo Op: 3–5 p.m. (1000 level) – Strike a pose in front of the green screen and choose your own magical background.
  🎮 Retro Gaming: 3–8 p.m. (4000 level) – Dive into nostalgia with Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, Super Mario, and more!
• Wednesday, Dec. 11
  🎮 Retro Gaming: 3–8 p.m. (4000 level) – Keep the fun going with your favorite retro classics.
  📸 Photo Op: 3–5 p.m. (1000 level) – Strike a pose in front of the green screen and choose your own magical background.

Take a moment to unwind, recharge, and make this Finals Week magical. Don’t miss out on these stress-busting activities and giveaways!

For more details,  follow us on social media.

Try your hand at retro games from Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and Game Cube on our “Retro PI” Raspberry PI computer. The retro gaming station will be open from 3-8 p.m. on December 9-11.  The station will be set up on the 4th floor of Booth Library. 

Take a break from finals stress and strike a pose! Visit our Holiday & Wicked-Themed Photo Booth to snap fun, festive photos with friends. Choose from a variety of holiday or wickedly creative backgrounds to make memories you'll want to share located in the CSI-Center for Student Innovation (1000 level)

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.

Join us in December for two great Webinars from Be Well Illinois!

Being a Better Listener, 12/4/2024 @ Noon

Statistics show that people remember only half of what they hear, even moments after they’ve heard it. Surprising? The fact is that while most of us like to think we’re good listeners, almost everyone needs to improve their listening skills. This workshop offers a fresh approach to this common problem.

Register online HERE.

Learning to Relax, 12/18/24 @ Noon

Stress is experienced in the body as tension. To manage stress we have several choices: reduce or eliminate the stressor, think about the stressor differently so it no longer causes tension or change the way our body reacts to stress. The course will address the third option through exploring a variety of relaxation techniques to calm the body and mind. The class will allow participants to learn and experience several simple relaxation tools such as progressive muscle relaxation, abdominal relaxation breathing and visualization.

Register today HERE.

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.  

Eastern Illinois University is in the process of selecting a new Dean for the Graduate School, and will be holding open interviews with the three finalists for the position on December 3, 4 and 5.  We encourage you to attend these sessions and share your feedback.

Planning for Spring 2025? Consider using the CSI Active Learning classroom (ALC)! The ALS is available for course sessions to support enhanced pedagogical innovation opportunities and student learning outcomes. Faculty members can reserve the ALC for up to four class periods per semester, per course!

This opportunity provides the following active teaching and learning opportunities:

Classroom Layout and Environment 

• The ALC has flexible seating which allows for countless arrangements that facilitate group work and otherwise can enhance the effectiveness of active learning.

Alternative Techniques 

• The ALC can support various active learning techniques, such as think-pair-share, group discussions, problem-solving tasks, case studies, and peer teaching, to cater to different learning styles.

 Technology Integration 

• Upon request, the CSI can provide a variety of technologies to support active learning including tablet computers and presentation monitors. These tools can also bridge with external applications like learner response apps or collaborative tools like Google Docs or Kahoot!.

Reservations will be on a first-come, first-serve basis; not all requests may be accepted due to availability, usage rationale, or technology accommodation(s). Please submit your request at least 14 days in advance to ensure that we can accommodate your request and technology needs. Requests can be submitted at this link: CSI Active Learning Classroom Reservations.

Student staff support is available during your sessions. If you need instructional design assistance or would like to work with FDIC staff on designing sessions appropriate for the CSI, contact fdic@eiu.edu. 

Dear Colleagues,

The university will be closed in observance of Christmas and New Year's on Eastern's four official holidays: Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25, 2024; Tuesday, December 31, 2024 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Please note all offices must remain open following fall graduation, December 14, up to and including December 23.

In addition, per IGP #7.5, Gift Days for 2024 will be observed on December 26, 27 and 30.  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, 2025.  FAQ’s regarding the Gift day may be found at:  https://www.eiu.edu/humanres/benefits/.

Employees who are in probationary status who wish to use time outside of the gift days (example, Dec 16 through Dec 23), will be allowed to use any available accrued leave or take leave without pay during the Holiday season. Probationary employees who wish to use accrued leave during the holiday period must complete the Civil Service Employee Request for Accrued Leave During Probation form 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 Dec 23. 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 work day 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 area 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, 27 or 30, please report it under University Gift Day – Non-work (763).  If you must work on any of the gift days, please report any of that 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.

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

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).