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SIU Today - March 20, 2025

SIU hosts Illinois Supreme Court oral arguments 

The Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases before a packed audience at the SIU Carbondale Student Center on March 18. More than 900 junior high and high school students, SIU law students, members of the community and special guests listened to arguments by attorneys in cases arising out of Kendall County and Cook County. The SIU Simmons Law School hosted the event, which is part of the state’s high court tradition of “riding the circuit” throughout Illinois. A Q&A with First Circuit Judge Christy W. Solverson, the presiding judge in Jackson County, followed oral arguments.  

Maple Syrup Festival is Saturday and Sunday

The 2025 Maple Syrup Festival, a delightful, palate-pleasing springtime tradition, returns to the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center on Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23.

CAM seeks flash talk proposals from the campus community for AI and creativity symposium 

The College of Arts and Media is seeking abstracts and presenters for flash talks next month that showcase the work by faculty, students and professionals using artificial intelligence in their innovative process and creative endeavors. The free, public CAM x AI: Innovating Creativity Symposium is April 11 in Morris Library. Participants must submit an abstract by Monday, March 24, with final presentation files due April 7.

Big Muddy New Play Festival starts tonight

The 13th annual Big Muddy New Play Festival begins tonight (March 20) and runs through Sunday, March 23, featuring “Mind’s Mirage,” by Aleksei Ellis, a third-year graduate student, along with three full-length stage readings, a free workshop and talkbacks by St. Louis playwright Courtney Bailey.

First-gen Saluki bridges the gap for SIU students

Rob Beverly, a 2000 graduate in marketing and now vice president of a medical device company, believes it’s important for Black SIU alumni to give back to the university. Beverly and his wife, Onyhatte, established The Beverly Bridging the Gap Fund, which supports SIU students through the Office of Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, providing financial assistance to students in need.

Outside the Box music festival starts Saturday

The 2025 Outside the Box new music festival will continue to build on its legacy for an 18th year by highlighting internationally known musicians and the talents of eight featured performers from the SIU School of Music. The free, public seven-day festival runs Saturday, March 22, to Friday, March 28, at various locations on campus.

Storytelling, video gaming workshops set for March 26-27 

The School of Media Arts is hosting a series of workshops on Wednesday and Thursday, March 26-27, on forms of play and storytelling with Allen Turner, an assistant professor in game development and interactive media in DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Design. 

Students can register now for 2025 Creative Activities and Research Presentations 

Registration is now open for the Creative Activities and Research Presentations (CARP), set for Thursday, April 10, at the Student Center on the second floor Art Gallery. Students are invited to display a poster explaining their project. 

Yellow Moon Gyroid concert at Morris Library is Friday

Four SIU Carbondale Master of Music students will help everyone think of warmer weather ahead during a free, public concert at 4 p.m. Friday, March 21, in Morris Library’s third-floor rotunda.

Reminder: Promotion, tenure workshops are next week 

The Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Administration will host a series of promotion and tenure workshops on Wednesday and Thursday, March 26-27. 

Reminder: A/P performance evaluations due March 31 

University policy requires that all administrative/professional staff have their work evaluated on an annual basis between Jan. 1 and March 31.

Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society hosts recital on Sunday 

Acclaimed violist Daphne Gerling and pianist Tomoko Kashiwagi will collaborate in a blend of contemporary works and timeless masterpieces in a performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship.

Student Center is an early voting location in Jackson County  

The Student Center is one of the early voting locations for the April 1 consolidated election in Jackson County. Early voting will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 24-25. Signage will direct voters to the polling location within the Student Center. Information on voter registration and grace period registration and April 1 polling places and precinct maps is available. 

Baseball Salukis highlight SIU sports this week

It’s back to the diamond for Saluki fans. The SIU baseball team hosts the University of Illinois Chicago for three games at Itchy Jones Stadium Friday through Sunday, March 21-23 — 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday before they host UT-Martin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 26. 

View this month’s ‘Saluki Watch Dawg’

The Department of Public Safety’s March 2025 issue of the “Saluki Watch Dawg” is available. In this month’s edition, you can fill out the department’s 2025 community survey and learn more about online safety, severe weather preparedness, hazing prevention and income tax return information.