• May 5, 2020
• March 11, 2020

Mahony Updates SIU Board of Trustees - This week, during its regularly scheduled meeting, President Mahony provided an update to the Board of Trustees on Fall 2020 semester planning activities. He made it clear that the university’s goal will be to have on-ground education and to be as close to normal as possible in the fall across the system. While he noted this option would be best for students and their educational experiences, he reiterated that it must be done so safely for everyone on campus.

To facilitate planning, Mahony announced the creation of a system-wide task force focused on the fall semester which will ensure ideas from each campus are shared to address all issues and scenarios that might occur to make sure SIU’s campuses are all as prepared as possible. The task force will also look to utilize resources from across the system to address some of the challenges our campuses may face, hoping this collaboration will provide more and better options.

Federal Issues – The Federal CARES Act provides almost $14 billion to support postsecondary education students and institutions. The SIU Campuses received over $18.5 million from the act, with just over $9.2 million being designated for student emergency grants. Both campuses have begun the outreach process to students and are initially reporting great success as students are responding with requests for assistance. As with the intent of the law, students with the most need are being prioritized for emergency grants. 

Executive Order Provides Exemption for Student Moves - The recent Executive Order provides an important exemption, requested by SIU, to allow students to return to campus and retrieve their belongings. Both campuses have determined how this process will occur and are communicating to students what move out plans will entail. Links to those messages/procedures are below.

SIUC: Click on Students: Move-out Plan (4-20-20) at this link: https://shc.siu.edu/coronavirus/campus-messages.php

SIUE: Click on this link for move-out instructions: http://siue.edu/housing/about/operation-updates/move-out.shtml

Campus Communications Recap:

Fee Refunds Have Been Announced – Information on fee refunds has been previously distributed to students. Please see links below for information from SIUC and SIUE: 

SIUC: https://shc.siu.edu/coronavirus/campus-messages.php

SIUE: http://siue.edu/about/announcements/coronavirus/students-families/index.shtml

Residence Hall / Dining Refunds – Information on residence and dining refunds has been previously distributed to students. Please see links below for information from SIUC and SIUE:

SIUC: https://shc.siu.edu/coronavirus/campus-messages.php

SIUE: http://siue.edu/housing/about/operation-updates/index.shtml

 Campus Links to Critical COVID-19-related Announcements - For the most update information on campus announcements to students, faculty, staff and community, please follow these links:

SIUC: https://shc.siu.edu/coronavirus/campus-messages.php

SIUSOM: http://www.siumed.edu/coronavirus/siu-medicine-response.html

SIUE: http://siue.edu/about/announcements/coronavirus/latest-updates/critical-covid-19-messages-april-20.shtml

Members of the SIU System Community,

I had imagined my first message to everyone throughout the System would be more of a welcome and introduction, but with the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, we will have to put that on hold for more important and immediate matters.

As I shared with our Board of Trustees last night, I have been working with leadership from both campuses on planning and communications relative to the COVID-19 outbreak. Because the situation has changed multiple times throughout the last couple of days, this has been particularly challenging. However, our campus leadership has worked diligently to ensure we are best prepared to respond in a way that protects our students, faculty and staff. This must be our primary goal.

Fortunately, we have no confirmed cases of the virus among our faculty, staff and students, but in accordance with the latest information from experts and out of an abundance of caution, we are making several decisions to protect the health of everyone.

Across the SIU system, we will be extending spring break for on-ground students by one week through March 22 to allow faculty time to move to online or other forms of alternative instruction where possible until further notice. During this period, students are encouraged to remain engaged in learning activities and should consult class syllabi for guidance on readings and other assignments. Additionally, look for any communication from your faculty members. Students in programs with required clinical, practica, student teaching or other field experiences should consult with their program director or department chair for guidance during this period of time. Students in online programs or enrolled in online courses should continue with their work, per the syllabus and course schedule.

During this time period in which students are being asked to participate in social distancing, the Universities and System office will remain open and will continue normal business operations and employees will report to work as usual. However, anyone who suspects they may have been exposed, should follow CDC guidelines and University direction regarding self-quarantine.

You will soon be receiving emails from your respective campus leaders with more details specific to each location. While some of the details will still need to be worked over the next couple of days, we wanted to let you know as soon as possible the decisions that have been made at this point.

In order to provide everyone with the most up-to-date information, the campuses have put together websites that provide detailed information on everything from travel restrictions to general advice on risk and prevention. Here are the links:

SIU Carbondale: https://shc.siu.edu/coronavirus/. 

SIU School of Medicine: https://www.siumed.edu/coronavirus/risk-and-prevention.html. 

SIU Edwardsville: http://siue.edu/about/announcements/faq-coronavirus.shtml

These websites are constantly updated as we get new information.

We are coordinating between both campuses to provide as much consistency as possible and to eliminate as much confusion as we can. Here, the strength of the SIU System is giving us a better opportunity to share the best practices of both universities and to assist each other in our efforts. And while not everything will be the same in Carbondale, Springfield, Edwardsville, Alton and East St. Louis, our common plans and procedures will hopefully make the coming days easier on us all.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the coming weeks. I’m sure there will be more changes in the days and weeks ahead, but by working together we will make decisions that best support everyone in the SIU System. Thank you for all you are doing.

Dan Mahony

SIU System President

Springfield, IL- The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees is expected to act on a recommendation to freeze student tuition and fees at its February 13 meeting. According to Board Chairman Phil Gilbert, he and Vice Chairman Ed Hightower have been in discussion with SIU Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook, SIU Carbondale Chancellor John M. Dunn and incoming SIU System President Dan Mahony regarding the importance of holding down costs of tuition and fees for students who are considering an institution in the SIU System for 2020.

"Governor Pritzker's priority for funding higher education is making this decision easier. The SIU System is committed to affordable tuition and fees for Illinois students. The recommendation to the full SIU Board of Trustees will include a tuition freeze for all undergraduate and graduate programs, including those in the system’s four professional schools of dental, law, medicine and pharmacy," said Chairman Gilbert.

"We appreciate and support Governor Pritzker's priority of reversing the downward trend in higher education enrollment and stabilizing the trend of Illinois students leaving the state for other education opportunities," said Vice Chairman Ed Hightower.

Mahony, whose appointment as system president begins March 1, said both institutions are focused on recruitment and affordability. "I am pleased to see so many positive steps occurring on both the Carbondale and Edwardsville campuses toward enrollment and making college affordable for our students and their families," he said.

At the board’s December meeting, both campuses reported a potential for more students this fall. SIU Carbondale is reporting applications for first-time freshmen are up more than 27 percent over last year and the number of admitted students is up 21 percent. SIU Edwardsville freshmen applications are up 21 percent and admittance is up 20 percent.

Grayslake, IL (January 8, 2015) The University Center of Lake County entered the new year with an additional member institution and four new programs, after action taken by the University Center’s Governing Board on December 10, 2014.  Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) joined the consortium which now totals twenty members and offers more than 120 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees, or professional certificates.
 
SIUE has added three programs to the Center’s array:  a Master of Science in Education in Instructional Technology, a Certificate in Web-Based Learning, and an accelerated RN to BS.  The 36–hour graduate degree includes a choice among three areas of emphasis.  The Educational Technologies emphasis serves K-12 teachers, the Instructional Design & Performance Improvement emphasis is for those who work in corporate or higher education settings, and the Library Information Specialist prepares candidates for State licensure to work in school libraries. The 18-hour Web-Based Learning certificate consists of courses that can also be applied to the graduate degree.  The nursing program consists of 22 credit hours and runs on an accelerated calendar of eight-week terms so that RNs can complete it within twelve months.
 
“We are very pleased to welcome Southern Illinois University Edwardsville into membership,” said G. Gary Grace, Executive Director & Dean.  “Because their initial offerings are fully online, they are immediately available to the region.  This enables SIUE to be of service even as we continue the discussion about additional programs that can be offered on-site.”
 
“The University Center of Lake County offers SIUE an opportunity to expand our presence in northern Illinois and to help meet the educational needs of the greater Chicago area,” said Parviz Ansari, SIUE provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “Over time, we anticipate that we will offer several programs in select fields.
 
“Initially, we will partner with the UCLC to offer online educational options only. As we gain more experience with the Center and the region, we will examine the feasibility of offering hybrid and face-to-face degree programs that meet the needs of adult learners and employers in that area.”
 
In addition to the SIUE membership and programs, the Governing Board also approved the addition of a Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) from North Park University which will launch in Fall of 2015.  This degree may be pursued in a blended format, with the courses that also apply to North Park’s MBA available via classroom study in Grayslake, and the remaining MOL courses available in a fully online format.
 
     The University Center offers programs from Illinois colleges and universities designed to enable adult students to further their education without a lengthy or costly commute.  Most classes meet in the evening and on weekends at the University Center facility in Grayslake.  Some meet at the University Center facility in Waukegan, or at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago.  Other classes meet via online study, eliminating any commute and providing maximum scheduling flexibility.
 
Visit www.ucenter.org for information about all of the programs offered through the University Center.  Free pre-admission advising appointments are available for those who have questions or who want help reviewing options.  Call 847/665-4000 for details.

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees this week voted to recognize a number of individuals with honorary degrees and distinguished service awards, approved renovation and improvement projects, and discussed the search for a permanent chancellor at SIU Carbondale.

The board met in regular session on the Carbondale campus. On Wednesday, Dec. 10, board members toured SIU Carbondale’s Greek Row and discussed various renovation and demolition options. They also toured University Museum.

The board continued its discussions about system planning, and agreed with SIU System President Randy Dunn’s recommendation to proceed with the search for a new chancellor at SIU Carbondale without an outside firm. Dunn said he plans to appoint a broad-based campus advisory committee to provide input during the search.

During its meeting today (Dec. 11), the board approved:

• An Open Access Policy for Faculty Scholarship: Research Articles. The new policy, developed by a task force, complies with Illinois’ Open Access to Research Articles Act that states that “the published research articles produced by faculty at public universities should be made as widely available as possible.”

• Renovations to the University Bookstore in the SIU Carbondale Student Center. The $675,000 project, scheduled for the spring semester, will include finish upgrades, ceiling replacement, lighting and display fixtures and egress issues. Follett Higher Education Group, Inc., which operates the bookstore, will be responsible for $575,000 of the cost; the university’s portion will be $100,000.

• The issuance of Southern Illinois University Medical Facilities System Revenue Bonds, Series 2015A, to refund all or a portion of the outstanding $14.5 million Series 2005 bonds originally issued for the Simmons Cancer Institute in Springfield. Based on market conditions, issuing the new bonds will generate savings of $1.5 million of the anticipated refunded bond principal.

• The appointment of Nina M. Antoniotti as executive director of Telehealth and Outreach Services at the School of Medicine in Springfield.Also Thursday, the board approved honorary degrees and distinguishedservice awards to be presented during the May 2015 commencement orsubsequent commencement ceremonies.At SIU Carbondale:

• Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, Honorary Doctor of Humane Arts.Appointed Illinois secretary of state in 1981 by former Gov. JimThompson, Edgar subsequently was elected to the position twice. In1990, Edgar was elected to the first of his two consecutive terms asgovernor.

• The late Dixie B. Fortis, Honorary Doctor of Commerce. An SIUCarbondale graduate, Fortis enjoyed a distinguished career in advertising.Her positions included creative director of the New Products Group atMcCann Erickson, which at the time was the world’s largest advertisingagency. In 1980, she and her husband, Jerry Fortis, established their ownfirm, Fortis Advertising, Inc., in Chicago. She earned numerous awardsfor her work, including election into the Chicago Women’s Hall of Fame,and was a founding member of the Chicago Women’s Network.

• Captain William R. “Bill” Norwood, Honorary Doctor of AviationScience. A 1959 SIU Carbondale graduate, Norwood was the university’sfirst black quarterback, a three-year starter and an inductee into the SIUCarbondale Hall of Fame. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to1965, piloting a B-52. He then had a 31-year career with United Airlines,becoming the company’s first African-American pilot and the first toachieve the rank of captain. He is a founding member of theOrganization of Black Airline Pilots and served on the SIU Board ofTrustees from 1974 to 2001.

• Michael J. “Mike” Lawrence, Distinguished Service Award. Lawrence covered the Illinois statehouse, politics and government for nearly two decades, including serving as state capital bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times. He also worked for Jim Edgar for 10 years, as press secretary and senior policy adviser first in the secretary of state’s office and then in the governor’s office. Lawrence joined SIU Carbondale’s Paul SimonPublic Policy Institute as associate director in 1998, becoming directorfollowing Simon’s death in 2003. He retired from the university in 2009.

• Dr. Marsha G. Ryan, Distinguished Service Award. Ryan served on the SIU Foundation board of directors from 1992 to 2013, which included serving as board chair and as chair of the university’s first-ever comprehensive capital campaign. A 1987 graduate of the SIU School of Law, Ryan has served on the SIU Alumni Association Board, the School of Law Board of Visitors, and the School of Art and Design Board. Together with her husband, John, Dr. Ryan established the Bioethicist-in-Residence at the law school’s Center for Health Law Policy.

At SIU Edwardsville:

• Lauren Elizabeth Metcalf, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. A Carbondale native, Metcalf is a graduate of Edwardsville High School and Illinois State University. She is a co-founder of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, and has appeared in a variety of on- and off-Broadway productions. Among her film credits are “Desperately Seeking Susan,” “Internal Affairs,” “JFK” and “Toy Story.” She starred in 221 episodes on the TV series “Roseanne,” earning three Emmy Awards, had a recurring role in “Desperate Housewives,” and she currently appears in “The Big Bang Theory”.

• David Werner, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Werner held several positions at the university during his 36-year career, including associate professor of management science, dean of the School of Business, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, and chancellor. He was appointed SIUE’s sixth chancellor in 1997, retiring in 2004.

• Kay Werner, Distinguished Service Award. Retired as manager of information technology at the SIUE East St. Louis Center, she is the wife of Chancellor Emeritus David Werner. She served as a teacher and community leader for more than 30 years, and her contributions included teaching in SIUE’s School of Business and managing the Faculty Technology Center at SIUE.