Every year, the summer season ushers in not only sweltering temperatures but also a shortage of blood supply.  Hospitals continue to treat patients battling cancer, undergoing surgeries, experiencing traumatic injuries, and facing other life-threatening conditions. Without an adequate blood supply, these individuals face heightened risks, and their chances of recovery diminish.  Patients (and their families) are waiting for the generosity and compassion of individuals like you to make a difference.

Join us on Mondays all summer for Yoga!  Free for all faculty and staff, no membership to the SRC required.  Bring your own mat or use one of ours.  All skill levels welcome from beginner to advanced!

All full-time employees are eligible to receive this recognition. Nominees should personify the EIU brand of All In and all things that make EIU a special and unique place to live, learn, and work. Nominations will be reviewed by members of the President’s Council and recommendations will be provided to the President. Up to five awards will be given and announced each year - historically at the annual President’s Fall Update in September/October. Service Award recipients will each receive a special plaque commemorating the recognition.

To nominate a colleague, click here. Nominations are due by June 1, 2024. 

As part EIU’s  strategic plan ‘Plan 2028,’ Bureau Veritas Technical Assessments will be conducting facility assessments of campus buildings beginning May 6, 2024, with a tentative conclusion at the end of June.  Their technicians will be assessing most of EIU's buildings, including interior public spaces, offices,  classrooms, resident rooms, mechanical rooms, utility closets, restrooms, rooftops, and the exterior of the building and site.  During the assessment they will be cataloging conditions, reviewing equipment and documenting this through photos.  They will be careful not to include people, personal items or photos, or anything of a sensitive nature.  They will announce themselves when entering private spaces.  All Bureau Veritas employees have been background checked and vetted, and they will be uniformed with vests and display a Bureau Veritas badge.  They will checkout a set of master keys from Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) for access.  They will not require escorts or input from your area, and very little inconvenience or disruption is expected as a result of the assessment.  

Check out the Bookstore - Clearance is BACK for a limited time only (Ends 5/31/24). New styles added. Available in store only! 

Eastern Illinois University Mail Services website, under the heading  "Mail Services" "Policies and Procedures" state, in part: State required perforated postage stamps are available to university departments through campus Mail Services by filling out the Stamp Request Form on the website under Forms and Documents. Please have an authorized fiscal agent signature on the form. Find out other details by calling 217-581-6035. Postage stamps and postage meter imprints purchased with budgeted funds or any funds under the control of the University are to be used for official business purposes only. Personal use of such postage is a misappropriation of state funds.

IGP #134: States in part that the Mail Room shall not accept for delivery "personal mail." (This includes, but not limited to mail regarding your personal retirement with SURS.) The completed IGP may be found at : https://castle.eiu.edu/auditing/134.php.

IGP #17 - Medical Examinations, IGP #24 - Workers' Compensation, and IGP #161 - University Fleet and Vehicle Services were recently updated with approval by the President. Please take time to review the changes to these policies.

As part EIU’s  strategic plan ‘Plan 2028,’ Bureau Veritas Technical Assessments will be conducting facility assessments of campus buildings beginning May 6, 2024, with a tentative conclusion at the end of June.  Their technicians will be assessing most of EIU's buildings, including interior public spaces, offices,  classrooms, resident rooms, mechanical rooms, utility closets, restrooms, rooftops, and the exterior of the building and site.  During the assessment they will be cataloging conditions, reviewing equipment and documenting this through photos.  They will be careful not to include people, personal items or photos, or anything of a sensitive nature.  They will announce themselves when entering private spaces.  All Bureau Veritas employees have been background checked and vetted, and they will be uniformed with vests and display a Bureau Veritas badge.  They will checkout a set of master keys from Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) for access.  They will not require escorts or input from your area, and very little inconvenience or disruption is expected as a result of the assessment.  

Benefits Choice Open Enrollment for FY 25 began May 1, and runs through the month of May. 

Benefits changes made during the month of May will become effective July 1, 2024.

There have been some changes to insurance premiums for the new fiscal year (beginning July 1, 2024), and the coverage map for the state of Illinois has also had some changes. 

Please refer to the FY25 Benefits Choice booklet at this link: FY 2025 Benefit Choice - State Employees Group Insurance Program (illinois.gov) to see what changes have been made. 

Also, Benefits Choice booklets are no longer available in paper form.  Please go to the above link to view and print, if you prefer to keep a physical copy of the booklet.

This year’s Benefits Fair will be held on Wednesday, May 22 in the Grand Ballroom.  In addition, representatives from CMS will hold presentations at 10 am, noon, and 3 pm in the 1895 Room.  These presentations are open to everyone and will include a question & answer session.  Each presentation will cover the same information, so employees can attend whichever session most easily fits their schedule.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits, please call 581-5825 or email benefits@eiu.edu.    

Every year, an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award and thereby becomes a Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Student Laureates are honored for their leadership and service on campus and beyond, their pursuit of the betterment of humanity, and for their overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. Faculty and staff are invited to nominate an outstanding senior to be named EIU’s Student Laureate from our 2025 graduating class (baccalaureate degree).

A note from the Lincoln Academy: As you consider a deserving student who demonstrates strong leadership aptitude, please also consider the characteristics of Abraham Lincoln that made him someone who inspired and transformed the world for generations: integrity, courage, honesty, and empathy. It is highly recommended that diverse fields of study be considered and that your Student Laureate has demonstrated exceptional attributes in leadership with an exhibited desire to make a difference in the world through civic engagement.

The recipient will receive the Lincoln Academy medallion, a challenge coin, and a stipend in the amount of $1,000 in recognition of their outstanding achievement. The in-person convocation will be held in Springfield on Saturday, October 26, 2024. The completed FORM, accompanied by a letter of nomination, must be returned to the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, 1031 Old Main or vpsa@eiu.edu, no later than 4:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2024.

Student Insurance is available for the Summer 2024 term. The coverage effective dates are 5/13/2024-8/11/2024. The cost for the coverage is $87.45.

Students who are insured in Spring 2024, who desire Summer coverage and will not be enrolled in the Summer Term, may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2024 Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/12/24.

Students who enroll for 5 or more hours for the Summer Term may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2024  Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/21/24. 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 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.

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 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 Summer 2024 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 in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab. The deadline to waive coverage for the Summer 2024 semester is May 21, 2024. 

The Marketing & Communications web team are thrilled to share that the EIU Events Calendar can now feature non-EIU events too! Our aim is to strengthen the bond between the EIU campus and the surrounding community, providing everyone at EIU the chance to engage in local happenings.

Community businesses and organizations holding events that could appeal to the EIU community are welcome to submit their event through this form. Our team will evaluate the details and if suitable, we'll feature them on the calendar. This way, your event can reach out to EIU students, faculty, staff, and annuitants.

Please share this update with your community associates and let them know about this exciting opportunity!

go.eiu.edu/communitycalendar

Faculty/Staff Yoga is back! Join us in McAfee North Gym Mondays and Fridays at 12:05 for yoga with Raven. All levels welcome, from beginner to advanced, just bring your mat and water bottle!

Registration appreciated, but not necessary: CLICK HERE to register.