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SIU Today - April 14, 2022

Join the fun at the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta

After a two-year hiatus, the ever-popular Great Cardboard Boat Regatta returns to Campus Lake on April 23. Early registration for the 2022 event, the 47th edition, ends today, April 14. Registration is available through the day of the event.

Update on COVID-19: Trends moving in the right direction

As the SIU Carbondale Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, trends continue to move in the right direction. The number of positive cases and hospitalizations remain low. The requirements on wearing face masks and weekly tests remain unchanged.

Saluki Pride: Arash Komaee works to unlock next generation of surgical robotic tools 

Ensconced in a laboratory packed with high-tech equipment, Arash Komaee, associate professor, School of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, is working on technology that might result in a new generation of surgical instruments. His efforts may someday lead, for example, to physicians using magnetized tools that can safely be operated inside a patient’s body using sufficiently strong magnets outside the body. Nominating a colleague is easy; simply fill out this form.

Excellence Awards announcement is Monday

Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend a ceremony recognizing the university’s 2022 Faculty and Staff Excellence Award recipients. The ceremony is at 3 p.m., Monday, April 18, in Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium. A reception in the first-floor rotunda will follow.

Open forums with College of Arts and Media dean candidates begin Tuesday 

Five candidates for dean of the College of Arts and Media at SIU Carbondale will meet with faculty, staff and students during a series of open forums beginning Tuesday, April 19.

Open forums for College of Liberal Arts dean finalists start April 21 

Four candidates for dean of the College of Liberal Arts at SIU Carbondale will meet with faculty, staff and students during a series of virtual open forums beginning Thursday, April 21.

Camp Little Giant will be reimagined better than ever, taking hiatus for 2022

Camp Little Giant and Touch of Nature’s Inclusive Recreation Program are going to be completely reimagined, making it even more fun, relevant and exciting. The 2022 camp is on hiatus as a special task force is being established, comprising Camp Little Giant stakeholders, along with industry specialists in the fields of inclusive and adaptive recreation, nursing, mental health, veteran services as well as other engaged community leaders to look at all of Touch of Nature’s inclusive programs, facilities and staffing structure.

Emeritus faculty works featured in University Museum exhibition

A reception and artist talks by emeritus faculty Jerry Monteith and Daniel Overturf are scheduled at University Museum this month. A reception is scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 15. Monteith’s artist talk is from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, with Overturf’s talk from 2 to 4 p.m. April 23.

WSIU-TV launches ‘Meet the Candidates’ program

WSIU-TV is starting a “Meet the Candidates” series through June to introduce candidates running for Illinois state, House and Senate races to the public. The half-hour program starts at 7 p.m. today (April 14) and runs through June 16. Additional information on the schedule is available online at news.wsiu.org. The programs will also be available to stream the day after the broadcast.

Reminder: Complete the diversity climate survey today

Faculty, staff, students and administrators are reminded that the last day to participate in the campuswide diversity climate survey is today, April 14. The survey will be used to identify strengths and opportunities related to diversity, equity and inclusion. On March 14, you received an email invitation to participate in the online survey directly from Campus Climate Surveys, LLC. If you have any questions, please contact Sheila.Caldwell@siu.edu.

School of Health Sciences Color Fun Run is April 22

The School of Health Sciences is hosting a Color Fun Run around Campus Lake for students and SIU employees on April 22. Event check-in is at 4 p.m., with the 2.2-mile run/walk starting at 5 p.m. The cost is $25 per participant and includes a T-shirt if registered by Friday, April 15.  Registration and additional information is available here.

Technology survey deadline is today 

SIU Carbondale needs your help to improve how we integrate technology into all that we do. Please complete a confidential questionnaire, which should take about 10 minutes, by today, April 14. Your candid responses will help identify opportunities to extend and improve administrative technology resources. Survey data will be compiled and used by the Ellucian team to facilitate further discussion on April 19-20 as part of a strategic alignment planning process.

Autism Conference on April 22 at Student Center

The Autism Conference from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 22 at the Student Center will provide professional development for providers and resources for families. Registration is due Monday, April 18. Learn more.