SIU Today | SIU News

SIU Today - December 02, 2021

SIU Board of Trustees approve honorary degrees, distinguished service awards 

Former U.S. senator and groundbreaking Illinois politician Roland W. Burris will receive a Distinguished Service Award following approval by the SIU Board of Trustees today (Dec. 2). Burris is one of six individuals recommended by SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin A. Lane for honorary degrees and distinguished service awards.

University to award posthumous degrees to students

SIU Carbondale will award posthumous degrees to four students who tragically died during the fall 2021 semester.

Saluki Pride: Meksem receives inaugural SIU System Inventor of the Year honor

The SIU Board of Trustees recently honored Khalid Meksem with the inaugural SIU System Inventor of the Year award. Meksem, a professor of genomics and genetics, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of seed traits and nematodes resistance. Nominating a colleague is easy; simply fill out this form.

How to support students’ emotional health

Working with others may present faculty and staff to be a resource for emotional wellness. Given the increased stress many students are experiencing toward the end of the semester, you may find yourself encountering students with mental health and emotional needs that warrant your attention. Here are some tips from the counselors at Counseling and Psychological Services for how you can be proactively engaged with students you work with and responsive to their needs.

Commencement volunteers sought

Faculty and staff are invited to help Saluki Nation and celebrate the accomplishments of 1,400 of our newest alumni by volunteering to assist with fall 2021 commencement exercises on Dec. 11 at the Banterra Center.

Nominate an inspiring colleague for a Faculty and Staff Excellence Award

Know someone who inspires you with their incredible talent, passion and commitment? Nominate them for a Faculty and Staff Excellence Award. The nomination deadline is 4:30 p.m. Feb. 4. 

Encourage students to register for spring classes  

Even with the end of the semester, it’s still not too late to remind students to register for classes. Faculty and staff are encouraged to remind students to register before leaving campus for break so that they can get the classes they want.

‘Illinois Ethics Matters’ newsletter is available

The monthly Illinois Ethics Matters newsletter for November 2021 is available. The Office of Executive Inspector General publishes the newsletter to allow state employees to stay informed of current issues relating to ethics. The SIU System Ethics Office website is at siusystem.edu/ethics.

New Arts Jazztet will help kick off the holidays

The New Arts Jazztet and jazz vocalist Eden Atwood will again bring in the holiday season with “The New Arts Jazztet Does Cool & Yule” in the renovated Balcony Stage at The Varsity Center on Sunday, Dec. 5.

SIU interdisciplinary media program students to host exhibition this weekend

Five students in the Master of Fine Arts interdisciplinary media program in the School of Media Arts will show their work Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5, in the Communications Building’s Northlight Studio, Room 1251.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase will highlight SIU’s innovators and inventors 

The university’s 2021 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase today (Dec. 2) will give the community an opportunity to learn more about some of the interesting creative development underway at the university and in the region. The event, which will also recognize some of SIU’s innovators and inventors, is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

Evanston mayor to discuss city’s reparations program 

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss will discuss the agenda for his city, including a slavery and racial discrimination reparations program, during a virtual conversation hosted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on Monday, Dec. 6.