SIU Today | SIU News

SIU Today - October 29, 2026

SIU’s journalism program hosts discussion on efforts to combat ‘news deserts’ 

A panel discussion on Nov. 5 will examine the nation’s increasing number of news deserts and the role of journalism schools in filling the void. “News Deserts: J-Schools As a Solution,” features SIU Carbondale alumnus and veteran journalist Tim Atseff, along with Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising faculty.

Spooky fun manifests at SIU’s Student Center on Friday

Faculty, staff, students and the community can join in spooky fun on Friday, Oct. 30, as the SIU Student Center celebrates Halloween with a full day of activities, costume contests and specialty drinks.

Early voting available at SIU Student Center

SIU Carbondale faculty, staff, students and the public who live in Jackson County can cast early ballots for the Nov. 3 midterm elections on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 29-30, in the north hallway of the Student Center, first floor, near the escalators. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for people who live in the 56 precincts within Jackson County.

SIU University Honors, Craft Shop host pumpkin carving for Dome Glow

Here’s your opportunity to show your Halloween creativity! The University Honors Program and the SIU Craft Shop will host a free pumpkin carving session Friday, Oct. 30. The finished projects will be part of the fourth annual Jon Davey Memorial Dome Glow on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1.

Annual Halloween Pops brings spooky music to Shryock Auditorium Oct. 29

The SIU  School of Music invites the community to dress up, grab some candy and settle in for live spooky music at its free, annual Halloween Pops concert at 7 p.m. today, (Oct. 29) in Shryock Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

SIU hosts Nov. 4 piano recital featuring Romantic period works

Nicholas Phillips, professor of piano at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, presents a guest solo piano recital at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall. The recital hosted by the School of Music is free and open to the public.

Reminder: Mandatory Ethics Act Training deadline is Nov 16

Mandatory 2026 annual Ethics Act training on the D2L Brightspace platform for all SIU Carbondale faculty, staff, graduate assistants, undergraduate assistants, volunteers, student workers and extra help workers opened Oct. 1 and closes at 11:59 pm on Nov 16. School of Medicine employees located on the Carbondale campus will complete training using HealthStream.

SIU sculpture fundraiser offers 30 scratch blocks for cast iron artwork

SIU Carbondale’s sculpture program and the student organization Critical Forum are selling 30 scratch blocks that supporters can use to create their own cast-iron artwork. Sales will continue through the program’s Nov. 7 iron pour at the Art Foundry, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SIU Jazz Ensemble to present fall recital Nov. 4

Broadway standards, Brazilian choro and a superhero soundtrack share the stage when the SIU School of Music’s Jazz Ensemble presents a free concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall.

Reminder: Electronic travel-reimbursement training underway 

Training sessions are underway for a new electronic travel-reimbursement process. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Accounting Services will no longer accept paper travel expense vouchers.

Men’s, women’s basketball open regular seasons

The Saluki men’s basketball team opens the 2026-27 season at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, against Maryville University at Banterra Center. The Saluki women’s basketball team opens its season at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, also at Banterra Center, against University of Illinois-Springfield. The Saluki women’s soccer team closes out its home schedule on Senior Day at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, against Northern Iowa at the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex. The Saluki men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams host Missouri Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31, in the Recreation Center’s Shea Natatorium. The Saluki baseball team closes out the fall schedule  against Mineral Area College at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Itchy Jones Stadium. Be sure to check team schedules at siusalukis.com.