This year's Benefits Fair will be held on Wednesday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the MLK, Jr. University Union. Representatives from several Health/Vision/Dental Plan vendors will be available to answer questions and provide current information regarding those plans. Please feel free to come check out what's new, ask questions about employee benefits, etc.

Also, representatives from CMS will provide presentations at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the 1895 Room. These presentations re open to all and will include time for questions. Both presentations will cover the same information, so employees are encouraged to attend whichever session best fits their schedule.

This year, SURS has asked if they can come. We are excited for their representative to join us and CMS.

Also this year, Benefits will hold a drawing for those who attend for some EIU swag.
*Do not need to be present to win.

We hope to see you all there! As always, if you have any questions regarding your employee benefits, please call (217) 581-5825 or email benefits@eiu.edu.

Following an extensive search process, Eric Wahls has been named Director of Facilities Planning & Management at Eastern Illinois University.

Wahls has served in the role on an interim basis since July 2024, bringing more than two decades of progressive experience in facilities operations, construction management and capital planning. Throughout his tenure at EIU, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to the University, its mission and the campus community.

As interim director, Wahls has provided strategic leadership and oversight across all areas of Facilities Planning & Management. He has managed significant operating and capital budgets while leading a team of more than 100 employees. His work has supported major campus initiatives, including infrastructure improvements, capital development projects and operational enhancements that strengthen safety, efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Prior to his current appointment, Wahls built a strong foundation managing construction and renovation projects at the University, successfully delivering projects and collaborating closely with campus partners and state agencies. Earlier in his career, he served in leadership roles at RR Donnelley, where he gained experience that continues to inform his thoughtful and levelheaded approach.

Please join Eastern Illinois University in congratulating Eric Wahls on his appointment and thanking him for his ongoing dedication to the EIU community.

IGP #94-Student Housing was recently updated with approval by the President. Please take time to review the changes to this policy.

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. 

As part of the upcoming academic reorganization, Marketing & Communications is developing a broader strategy for academic web content, including updates to program pages, site structure, and how information is organized for prospective students.

This work is focused on creating a more consistent, student-centered experience that makes it easier for users to explore programs and find accurate, up-to-date information.

As this planning moves forward, departments are asked to hold on major structural website changes, such as creating new pages or reorganizing navigation, so that future updates can align with this broader approach.

Additional information, guidance, and opportunities for input will be shared in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, routine updates such as correcting outdated information or fixing broken links can continue as usual. (Fill out the Marcom Work Request form for assistance!)

• Olivia Bennett of Charleston is a junior at Eastern Illinois University majoring in broadcast journalism. She has worked as a Gray Television fellow for WOIO-TV in Cleveland; a producer, anchor and investigative reporter for TruBlu Crime Streaming; and managing editor, anchor and reporter for WEIU-TV News Watch. With this year’s award, Benett is now a three-time INBA scholarship winner. She will be taking home INBA Fred “Fritz” Sorenson Scholarship. Sorenson was a longtime reporter and anchor for WKRS radio in Waukegan and WCIA-TV in Champaign.
• Andrew Spaid of Lake in the Hills will graduate this spring from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in TV and video production. He has worked as a sports and news anchor, producer and sports director for WEIU-TV and was an on-air DJ for Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU. He also is a host and producer of the Anytime Sports Podcast, worked on the live sports production crew for ESPN+ and was a freelance camera operator for WQAD-TV. Andrew is the winner of the INBA Don Brown Scholarship. Don Brown is the namesake for the INBA’s first-ever scholarship, given in 1963. He worked for radio stations in Iowa and taught at the Universities of Iowa, Illinois, and Arizona State and was instrumental in forming the INBA in 1955.

• Devin Brooks, reporter/anchor, WQAD-TV, Quad Cities, a multi-time INBA scholarship winner himself and INBA board member.
• Jenna Dooley, news director, WNIJ in DeKalb, and INBA past president
• Rachel Lippmann, justice reporter, St. Louis Public Radio, and INBA past president
• Emily Manley, former Missouri capitol bureau reporter for Nexstar and former INBA vice president

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

The Summer 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 in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab. Student-athletes and members of the Cheer Team are not allowed to waive the Student Insurance. The deadline to waive coverage for the Summer 2026 semester is May 27, 2026. 

Student Insurance is available for the Summer 2026 term. The coverage effective dates are 5/11/2026-8/16/2026. The cost for the coverage is $95.40.

Students who are insured in Spring 2026 who desire Summer coverage and will not be enrolled in the Summer Term, may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2026 Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/11/26.

Students who enroll for five or more hours for the Summer Term may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2026  Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/27/26. 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 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.

Eastern Illinois University is making important investments to improve our campus.

To help keep the campus community informed, we’ve launched a dedicated construction updates page. Visit the site for the latest information on active projects, timelines, impacts to campus access, and more: go.eiu.edu/construction.

Beginning March 16, 2026, parking lots between the Student Services Building, the Old Steam Plant, and south of Blair Hall will be closed as part of a comprehensive upgrade to EIU's campus infrastructure. NOTE: ADA parking spaces immediately south of Blair Hall will remain open, and an ADA‑compliant ramp will be installed to accommodate east–west pedestrian traffic at the northwest corner of the Student Services Building.

Please review a map of the parking lot availability HERE, noting the additional details below.*

Per IGP#19, campus-wide summer office hours will be in effect from Monday, May 11, 2026, through Friday August 14, 2026. When summer office hours are in effect, all offices must be open Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. All administrative offices (and others where possible) will remain open during the lunch hour, Monday through Thursday.

Each office is to change voice mail, signs, and other public communication to reflect its summer hours. Regular business hours will resume on Monday August 17, 2026. Please contact the Human Resources office with any questions.

Employees needing to complete a flex schedule: Please visit Flex Schedules to submit a request for supervisor approval. 

Holiday Weeks

• Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2026
  • Employees will record Holiday 7.5 hours and then work 30 hours between Tuesday – Friday. If you still want to leave at noon on Friday May 29, 2026, you may use accrued leave time off or work the additional 3.5 hours between Tuesday and Thursday (this would not be overtime, it would be considered flex time).
• Juneteenth/National Freedom Day
  • The week of June 15, 2026, employees will work (4) 7.5 hour days Monday – Thursday and record Holiday 7.5 hours for Friday June 19, 2026.
• Independence Day
  • The week of June 29, 2026, employees will work (4) 7.5 hour days Monday – Thursday and record Holiday 7.5 hours for Friday July 3, 2026.