Planning to participate in the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremonies? Please complete this form. This will help EIU prepare for seating arrangements and allow for reserved parking. 

Saturday, December 20 - Groniger Arena

Civil Service Council Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. in the Rathskeller Loft- 7th Street Underground. You do not have to be a member of the council to attend! All Non-Negotiated Civil Service employees are welcome to attend. 

Please feel free to review past meeting minutes, those who are on the Council, and Constitution and ByLaws on our website: https://www.eiu.edu/council/.

EIYOU Showcase will bring EIU's first-year students together to demonstrate what they have learned from the EIYOU class.
Each class will have an opportunity to present what the year has taught them.

Monday, December 8, 2025 from 3 to 5 p.m.
University Ballroom
Martin Luther King Jr. University Union
1720 7th Street
Charleston, IL 61920

Last year, Booth Library hosted their first Beats and Books, an after-hours party where students left with good books and great memories. Beats and Books will be coming back this year on December 5^th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. 

Partygoers will get to “speed date” with six book titles and take home the book of their choice. Pizza, snacks, and mocktails will be available to enjoy. Students are invited to hit the dance floor at Booth Library and pick up a free book! 

Reservations are required—secure one of the 75 spots by following this link: https://eiu.libcal.com/event/15614137

Dear Colleagues,

The University will be closed in observance of the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday on:

• Thursday, November 27, 2025
• Friday, November 28, 2025

We will also observe 2025 Christmas and 2025/2026 New Year's Eve/New Year's Day on Eastern's four official holidays:

• Wednesday, December 24, 2025
• Thursday, December 25, 2025
• Wednesday, December 31, 2025
• Thursday, January 1, 2026

Please note all offices must remain open through December 23, 2025. The University will reopen for full service on Friday January 2, 2026.

In addition, per IGP #7.5, paid Gift Days for 2025 will be observed on:

• December 26, 2025
• December 29, 2025
• December 30, 2025

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, 2026. For more information regarding Gift days please visit here.  

Employees who are in probationary status who wish to use time outside of the Gift days (example, December 22, 23, January 2), will be allowed to use any available accrued leave or take leave without pay during the Holiday season, with supervisor approval. Probationary employees who wish to use accrued leave during the holiday period must submit the Civil Service Employee Request for Accrued Leave During Probation form online and 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 December 23, 2025. 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 workday 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 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, 29 or 30, please report it under University Gift Day – Non-work (763).  If you must work on any of the Gift days, please report applicable 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.

As in previous years, please make note of the adjusted monthly payroll schedule for December. The pay date for December will be on January 2, 2026.

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

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 two short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

Spring 2026 semester students enrolled in five or more hours (any program format), are eligible for coverage. Please note, students enrolled in an on-campus program taking nine or more hours, Graduate Assistants, and international students enrolled in an on-campus program with a minimum of three 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 26, 2026. 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 two short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

The Spring 2026 Student Insurance fee will be automatically assessed to students enrolled in an on-campus program taking nine or more hours; graduate assistants under contract to the University; and international students enrolled in an on-campus program taking three 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. Student athletes and members of the Cheer Team are not allowed to waive the Student insurance. The deadline to waive coverage for the Spring 2026 semester is January 26, 2026.

Fall ‘25 Wind-Down & Finals Week Schedule: As we approach the last few weeks of Fall ’25, remember the Gregg Technology Center (GTC) opens at 7 a.m. (Monday through Friday), offers both color and black & white printing, and a nice quiet place to study by yourself or with a small group.

During Finals, the GTC will be open accordingly:

• December 15 (Monday) through December 18 (Thursday) – 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.*
• December 19 (Friday) – 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.*

* Due to staffing limitations and/or weather, the GTC lab may close earlier than the regular hours. Any closings will be posted.

Doudna has a week jam packed with concerts and our annual Holiday Fest. We will have the art sale, vendors, concerts, a radio show, and exclusive performances that make for an exciting week before we wrap up the semester. Many of the shows this week are free to attend. For ticketed events, you can purchase your tickets through Doudna's ticket website, over the phone at 217-581-3110, or in person at our Box Office from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Moonlight and Fire

Monday, December 1, 7:30 pm
Free Admission

Dr. James Giles is a distinguished artist and sought after teacher serving as Coordinator of the Piano Program and Director of Music Performance Graduate Studies at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music.

Dr. Giles's recital at Doudna's Recital Hall will feature a program of poetic lyricism and pianistic brilliance, tracing a musical journey from the Romantic era to the 20th century.

Featuring works by Schubert, Chopin, Debussy, and Earl Wild.

Percussion Ensemble

Tuesday, December 2, 7:30 pm
$15 General Admission | $5 EIU Students

The Percussion Ensemble will be performing folkloric music from Cuba and chamber music for percussion. Directed by Prof. Jamie V. Ryan, this concert will feature "Flowstones" by EIU student composer Jackson Mortland.

Holiday Fest

Thursday, December 4 through Sunday, December 7
Free and Open to the Public

Our annual Holiday Fest will be this weekend. Join us in Doudna's Concourse for the holiday art sale, food trucks, kids' crafts, and special performances.

Kid's Day at Holiday Fest

Saturday, December 6, Noon to 4 pm

Kid's Day will be full of exciting activities for families to enjoy including free face painting, Scovill Zoo, The Grinch, Santa, and more.

Jazz Ensemble

Thursday, December 4, 7:30 pm
$10 General Admission | $5 EIU Students

EIU's Jazz Ensemble will be swingin' hard on tunes by various artists. This concert will feature guest artists Adam Larson on saxophone and EIU's Paul Johnston on piano.

Christmas Carol: Reprise

Friday, December 5, 7:30 pm | Saturday, December 6, 7:30 pm
$15 General Admission | $5 EIU Students

If you missed the Theatre Department's run, you now have the opportunity to listen live to EIU's reprisal of A Christmas Carol radio play during Doudna's Holiday Fest weekend.

Holiday Concert

Sunday, December 7, 4 pm
$15 General Admission | $10 EIU Employee and Senior | $5 EIU Student and Youth (17 and under)

Join the Eastern Symphony Orchestra, EIU Choral Ensembles, Charleston High, and East Central Chorale for an evening of holiday music. Featuring soprano Jamille Lea in Poulenc's Gloria, the Nutcracker Suite, French Carols, and music from Home Alone.

EIU Marketing & Communications is excited to share our students’ college success through Merit Pages, a platform that highlights student achievements and allows us to tell our student's stories.

These stories include:

• Dean’s list inclusion
• Scholarships
• Presenting research/academic work
• Winning awards
• Internships
• Volunteering
• RSO & club involvement
• Work experience
• Other recognition & accomplishments

EIU's Merit Pages helps showcase student accomplishments from admission through graduation and creates an online presence that will set students apart as they enter the workforce. This makes it easier for employers, graduate schools and internship coordinators to discover and recognize student success. In partnership with EIU Marketing & Communications, Merit Pages also turns student accomplishments into personalized stories.

To learn more and suggest a Merit Page update, visit the Marketing & Communications Merit Page info site.