SIU Today | SIU News

SIU Today - September 29, 2025

As childhood myopia surges, SIU team finds cleaner, cheaper way to make a key drug 

As nearsightedness is expected to grow, a team led by SIU Carbondale researchers has developed a cleaner, lower-cost process to make an oral drug used in Europe to treat childhood myopia. A common microbe has been engineered to turn caffeine from spent tea leaves and coffee grounds into the medicine with near-perfect precision — for a tiny fraction of the current cost. The team’s findings were published in the high-impact peer-reviewed journal Green Chemistry, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Reminder: Campus Cookout is Wednesday 

As a token of gratitude, all faculty, staff and students are invited to a campus cookout to celebrate our strong retention and steady enrollment this fall. Join us from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, between the Student Services Building Pavilion and Faner Hall, rain or shine. 

You’re invited to provide input on campus master plan 

As part of the process to craft a new SIU Carbondale Facilities Master Plan, faculty, staff and students are invited to on how university facilities can better support their experience. The survey is open through Oct. 10, and all responses will be reviewed in aggregate. 

Salukis Care week promotes wellness, helps students succeed 

Salukis Care. It’s the culture at SIU Carbondale, and in recognition of that commitment to students and their emotional wellness, a weeklong celebration from Oct. 6-9 will help them thrive and succeed. 

Glassman Lecture to examine seismic activity around the world 

James A. Conder, director of the School of Earth Systems and Sustainability, will discuss seismic activity around the world as the keynote speaker for this fall’s Michael and Nancy Glassman Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 1. 

'Falsettos’ kicks off School of Theater and Dance’s 2025-26 season 

A musical that examines issues of gender identity, faith, family and relationships during the early AIDS epidemic of the late 1970s and early 1980s kicks off the School of Theater and Dance’s 2025-26 season, Oct. 15-19.

SIU to host international gathering on philosopher John Dewey’s ‘orienting text’ 

An interdisciplinary, international conference next month will examine one of American philosopher and educator John Dewey’s most important works. John Dewey’s “Experience and Nature”: A Centennial Celebration, Oct. 16-18, will feature more than 40 presentations, including panel discussions from some of the foremost Dewey scholars. Online registration is due Oct. 9.

First tenant moves in to SIU’s new hub for clinical, social services and training

The Evaluation and Developmental Center is the first tenant of the College of Health and Human Sciences’ Community Care and Education Center in University Hall.

SIU acquires new parking lot 

SIU Carbondale has acquired a new parking lot in an exchange of property with the City of Carbondale. Starting today, Sept. 29, the lot that runs along the east side of South Illinois Avenue, from the Lincoln Drive entrance to Grand Avenue, will provide parking primarily for commuting students.