From the Chancellor
One aspect of our new retention plan focuses on exploratory students — those who have not selected a major at the time they enroll. We know from research that students with majors have higher retention rates.
Strategies include the creation of a living learning community for undecided students and structured support for students exploring careers and majors, including a “select a major” campaign and career exploration sections of UCOL 101. Please see the plan for details.
Please note the item below related to the state’s pension law. Our goal is to keep you as informed as possible given the rapidly changing situation.
Congratulations to 13 School of Medicine faculty members whose promotions in tenure and academic rank were approved by the Board of Trustees on May 8. We regret that their names were inadvertently omitted from the previously published list. Overall, the board approved promotions for 53 of our faculty.
Rita Cheng
Chancellor
Pension law implementation delayed
Two events this week signal a delay in implementation of changes to the state's pension law. On May 14, a judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of the law until a lawsuit disputing changes is heard, according to the State Journal-Register. Earlier in the week, the State Universities Annuitants Association issued a press release indicating that it has reached a tentative agreement with the Illinois attorney general to postpone implementation of the law until July 1, 2015. Retiring employees with questions about the potential impact of these actions on their plans may contact human resources at 453-6668.
The SIU Alumni Association has chartered its first group dedicated to military veterans who have and continue to serve their country.
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The Health Care Management program in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts is offering students the ability to earn a bachelor’s degree online. The program is completely online except for a required internship.
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The Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism and the Sustainability Office recently honored students and individuals with Civic Engagement Achievement Awards to recognize volunteerism and contributions during the 2013-2014 academic year.
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Two people who were involved last year in what became a national debate on organ transplants and children will be part of a discussion “From Critical Shortage to Critical Mass: Addressing the Lack of Organ Donations” during the 16th annual SIH/SIU Health Policy Institute on Friday, May 16, at the SIU School of Law.
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Morris Library will host upcoming workshops that focus on 3-D printing and finding health information online.
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The MidAmerica Health Executives Forum recently presented health care management awards to two students. More
