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SIU Today - January 08, 2026

SIU provides Air Force ROTC cadets with innovative mental health training

Imagine a colleague comes to you, struggling with tough life problems, perhaps life-or-death questions. Thanks to an innovative new mental health training program at SIU Carbondale, cadets from Air Force ROTC Detachment 205 will be prepared to help if faced with such situations.

Everyone invited to explore Rec Center during Jan. 11 Community Day

The Student Recreation Center is hosting Community Day at the Rec from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11. Just bring a nonperishable food item, which will go to the Saluki Food Pantry to benefit students with food insecurity, and get access to all the amenities.

Immigration law, policy scholar to present SIU Simmons Law School Lesar Lecture

Immigration law and policy scholar César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández will discuss federal courts and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies when he presents the Hiram H. Lesar Distinguished Lecture at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at SIU’s Simmons Law School.

2026 Winter Weeks of Welcome help students start the semester off right

When SIU Carbondale throws out the welcome mat, it does so in style as evidenced by Winter Weeks of Welcome, a special time to greet new and returning students as they come to campus for the spring semester and get them acquainted and connected with SIU and one another.

Saluki couple celebrate graduation on the same day

Sarah and James Anderson of St. Louis have three young children, full-time jobs and continued their education through SIU Carbondale's Online and Extended Campus program. Both walked across the Banterra Center stage during Dec. 13 exercises.

Veo e-scooters available this winter 

The City of Carbondale recently announced that a limited fleet of Veo e-scooters will be available for use during the winter months. Riders can check the VeoRide app for e-scooter locations and stay informed of closures for extreme cold or other inclement weather. 

Basketball, swimming on tap for Saluki sports 

The Saluki women’s basketball team hosts Evansville at 6 p.m. today, Jan. 8, and Valparaiso at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Banterra Center, while the Saluki men’s team hosts Drake at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14. Saluki men’s and women’s swimming and diving host Indiana State and Evansville at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Recreation Center’s Shea Natatorium. Be sure to check team schedules at siusalukis.com.  

2025 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase honors announced

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase held in December at SIU Carbondale celebrated some of the region’s most impressive new innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs.

SIU’s Export Controls newsletter is available

The monthly SIU Export Controls newsletter for December 2025 is available. The newsletter provides a resource for current export control issues and events that could affect SIU and its faculty. This edition includes guidance on international shipping.  

Illinois Ethics Matters newsletter is available

The latest Illinois Ethics Matters newsletter for December 2025 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 siusystem.edu/ethics.

New Arts Jazztet to perform Sunday

Members of the New Arts Jazztet, a Southern Illinois jazz group comprising SIU faculty and guests, will perform at Jazz Vespers, an evening prayer service, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Chautauqua St., Carbondale. NAJ was formed in 1984 by several School of Music faculty and has been in residence since that time. The performance will feature works by June Harris, John Hopkins, Bernard Ighner, Thad Jones, Ameen Saleem and Cedar Walton. The service will also be livestreamed on the Jazz Vespers at Epiphany Facebook page.