White tells campuses to prepare for tough times

In a recent campuswide memo, U of I President Joseph White said that he has told leaders at the three campuses to prepare for tough economic times over the next year and a half. White said the university should expect to face possibilities such as reduced state support, students with greater need for financial assistance, and leaving vacant positions unfilled.

Download a pdf file of an article from the October 28, 2008, Chicago Tribune
20081028-CT-PrezsaysLeanTimesAhead.pdf

Student trustees ask top administrators to freeze salaries

The three student representatives to the Board of Trustees have proposed that administrators who earn $150,000 or more annually agree to voluntarily freeze their salaries for two years.

While the savings this would realize would probably not be significant, the students say that, in the face of tough economic times, the move would send a message to the entire university community that "we're all in this together." UIS student trustee Craig McFarland says he plans to raise the issue when the Board meets in Springfield on November 13.

Download a pdf file of an article that appeared in the October 28, 2008, Champaign News Gazette
20081028-CNG-StudentTrusteesaysFreezeSalaries.pdf

Wheeler: Lawrence "one of the best"

When Mike Lawrence announced that he was returning to journalism after 11 years at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, including four years as director, his colleagues around the state were quick to praise the decision as well as the man.

UIS Public Affairs Reporting director Charles Wheeler III, who worked with Lawrence when both were Statehouse reporters, said, "I think that Mike's one of the best reporters I ever met," adding that Lawrence was respected by both Republicans and Democrats because he "took the time to understand the issues."

Download a pdf file of the article that appeared in the October 26, 2008, edition of The Southern
20081026-TS-LawrenceReturnstohisRoots.pdf

Redfield on the importance of fundraising

With Illinois Senate President Emil Jones stepping down in January, a number of state senators are positioning themselves to replace him. The ability to raise funds is seen as an important part of that process, for a variety of reasons.

Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of Political Science at UIS, noted that it's "all about creating relationships or a sense of obligation." Redfield's comments were part of an article that appeared in the October 21, 2008, Chicago Tribune.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081021-CT-MoneyaFactorinRaceforSenatePresident.pdf

UIS receives national award for online education

UIS received the 2008 Gomory Award for Quality Education from the Sloan Consortium. The award recognizes UIS' innovative work in the continuous process of assuring excellence in its online teaching and learning initiatives.

OTEL Director Ray Schroeder noted that the Gomory Award is "one of the highest honors to be granted" by the Consortium.

Download an article from the October 20, 2008, State Journal-Register
200081020-SJR-UISWinsGomoryAward.pdf

UIS has more to do to finalize move into NCAA

Now that UIS has been invited to join the Great Lakes Valley Conference of the NCAA, the university will need to take certain steps before it can become a full member.

An article in the October 20, 2008, State Journal-Register looks at the requirements and what they might mean to the campus.

Download the article
20081020-SJR-UISneed2MtoPlay.pdf

Mooney says different motives may be behind House move to cut veto session

The Illinois House of Representatives has cancelled half of its November veto session and the state Senate may do the same. Legislators say this is because they have already dealt with a number of issues during many special sessions over the summer.

Christopher Mooney, UIS professor of Political Science, says that while this is true, the reason may also have something to do with the troubled relationship between Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan.

An article that appeared in the October 14, 2008, Peoria Journal Star examined the situation.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081014-PJS-HouseCutsVeto.pdf

UIS move into NCAA means change

UIS officially joined the NCAA Division II, Great Lakes Valley Conference, on October 8, 2008.

In an article that appeared in the State Journal-Register on October 9, Prairie Stars coaches talked about what the move meant for their teams.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081009-SJR-CoachesGladtobeinGLVC.pdf