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SIU Today - May 14, 2026

Come join the musical fun at SIU’s 2026 Sunset Concerts beginning June 11

The 47th edition of the ever-popular Sunset Concert Series returns with a wide variety of diverse musical performances beginning June 11 on the Shryock Auditorium lawn.

Employee Appreciation Day is today 

SIU Carbondale is hosting Employee Appreciation Day from 1 to 4 p.m. today (May 14) and all faculty and staff are invited to attend. The fun, informal, free event will be at the Becker Pavilion/Campus Lake area and the Tedrick Welcome Center, with shuttles running between locations throughout the afternoon.

SIU Carbondale to offer bachelor’s degree in AI+

Beginning this fall, SIU Carbondale will become the first public university in Illinois to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence Plus (AI+).

Flexible schedule summer program starts May 24

The university is offering an employee flexible-schedule program again this summer. The program will begin May 24 and will continue through July 25, 2026.

May is Internal Audit Awareness Month

The SIU System’s Office of Internal Audit, Compliance and Ethics is recognizing Internal Audit Awareness Month in May and wants to push away some common misconceptions.

SIU Craft shop offering creative summer adult craft workshops

Adults can get in on summer arts and crafts fun at SIU. The Student Center Craft Shop is offering a full slate of adult craft workshops in addition to the full lineup of children and youth camps there and across campus.

SIU’s Paul Simon Institute awards four Simon Democracy Prizes

Miguel Alvarez, an SIU Carbondale graduate master’s student in social work, is one of four recipients to receive a 2026 Paul Simon Democracy Prize. The award goes to current students at Illinois colleges and universities for designing and implementing projects aimed at revitalizing democracy in their communities.

SIU Alumni Association opens Saluki Market to new vendors

The SIU Alumni Association’s online marketplace, Saluki Market, is now taking applications for a wide variety of new vendors.

SIU launches $2M Able Flight campaign following successful May 6 giving day

SIU Carbondale and Able Flight have launched the Campaign for Able Flight. SIU is now home to the national nonprofit program where people with disabilities can become licensed pilots certified to operate light sport aircraft. The campaign’s $2 million goal will establish the Charles H. Stites Able Flight at SIU Endowment Fund to create permanent support for scholarships, adaptive flight training and program operations.

Reminder: Benefits Choice open enrollment underway 

The deadline for the State Employees Group Insurance Program Benefit Choice open enrollment for all eligible employees is June 1. Employees can review the Benefits Choice Booklet for details on all changes, benefit enhancements and premium costs. An on-campus Benefits Choice Fair is May 26 in the Student Center.

Senior Weekend for Saluki baseball 

It’s Senior Weekend for the Saluki baseball team as it hosts Valparaiso for three games, today (May 14) through Saturday, May 16, at Itchy Jones Stadium. The games are at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday to close out the regular season ahead of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, May 20-23 at Murray State. For complete Saluki schedules, visit siusalukis.com.