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SIU Today - March 16, 2026

1,400 students to visit SIU for World Languages and Cultures Day

SIU Carbondale will celebrate the 50th World Languages and Cultures Day “50 Years of Learning, 250 Years of Belonging,” on Thursday, March 19, with 1,400 students from 23 high schools across the state learning the history and future of languages and cultures.

2026 Big Muddy Film Festival features 72 films

The longstanding Big Muddy Film Festival returns Thursday through Saturday, March 19-21, to showcase some of the finest works of independent filmmakers and students.

Saluki Remembrance Day ceremony is April 2 

SIU Carbondale will remember six faculty, staff and students who have passed away during the 2025-2026 academic year with a ceremony at 1 p.m. April 2, in the Student Center Ballrooms.

SIU Parking switching to ParkMobile for pay stations

Beginning today (March 16), the Department of Public Safety’s Parking and Traffic is switching vendors for pay station payments to ParkMobile.

SIU String Orchestra to perform March 17

The SIU String Orchestra will present a free, public concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in Pulliam Hall’s Furr Auditorium.

Help needed for State Science Fair at SIU April 24-25

Volunteers are needed for the 2026 Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) State Science Fair hosted by SIU Carbondale, April 24-25. About 1,800 guests are expected for the annual statewide competition for middle and high school students.

Reminder: Roundtable talk on Wednesday to examine support for first-year students

Faculty, staff and graduate assistants are invited to the second in a series of first-year experience roundtable discussions on Wednesday, March 18. The sessions examine the unique transitions, challenges and experiences of first-time-in-college students and transfer students who are new to SIU Carbondale. The session is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Faculty Staff Lounge in the Student Center’s Old Main Room. 

Record-breaking crowd attends Chancellor’s Reception during Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis

A record-breaking crowd of nearly 400 alumni, students and friends gathered March 4 at Sports & Social St. Louis for the Chancellor’s Reception during the 5th annual Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis.

Chancellor Lane featured on HigherEdJobs podcast

In a HigherEdJobs podcast, “Inside the Chancellor’s Office: Leadership, Family, and Legacy,” Chancellor Austin Lane reflects on his three decades of experience in higher education, including his duties as a university chancellor, along with the importance of engaging with students, faculty, staff, board and community stakeholders — all while balancing the personal and professional demands of leading a major public institution.

SIU’s SBDC Day seminar and celebration is Wednesday

The Illinois Small Business Development Center is hosting an SBDC Day celebration and Business Growth Seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at the Gower Translational Research Center.

SIU, Lewis and Clark Community College sign Saluki Step Ahead transfer agreement

Leaders from SIU Carbondale and Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) signed a Saluki Step Ahead transfer agreement on March 5, strengthening pathways for LCCC students to complete their bachelor’s degrees through SIU.

Reminder: Virtual faculty, staff regalia sale is Thursday

Virtual appointments are available on Thursday, March 19, for the faculty and staff regalia sale through Herff Jones. Graduate students wishing to purchase rather than rent regalia are also welcome to participate.

SIU System Faculty Collaboration Award deadline is Friday

The Faculty Advisory Committee for the SIU System (FACSS) is accepting applications through Friday, March 20, for the 2026 Faculty Collaboration Award. The annual award recognizes faculty for impactful collaborative endeavors across SIU campuses in the areas of teaching, scholarship and creative activities, service and/or antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion.

View this month’s ‘Saluki Watch Dawg’   

The Department of Public Safety’s March 2026 issue of the “Saluki Watch Dawg” is available. In this month’s edition, you can learn more about the department’s Drone-as-First-Responder program, mental health issues on college campuses and SIU’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offerings, income tax filing tips, and following the department’s social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.