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If you are a faculty or staff member who is a parent or guardian of a student who will be participating in the commencement ceremony and you would like to present their diploma to them on stage at the Spring 2026 ceremony, please fill out this form. If you have questions, please reach out to Megan Morecraft at mamorecraft@eiu.edu. 

Commencement could not be made possible without the dedication of volunteers, as they play an essential role in creating a smooth and memorable experience for our graduates and their families! If you are interested in volunteering for this special day for our graduates, please fill out this form. Any assistance is greatly appreciated! 

Saturday, May 9 - Groniger Arena

• 10 a.m. – Undergraduate Degrees in the College of Education and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• 1 p.m. – All Graduate Degrees
• 4 p.m. - Undergraduate Degrees in the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology, College of Health and Human Services, and Interdisciplinary Studies. 

Please contact Megan Morecraft at mamorecraft@eiu.edu with any questions. 

Thank you for your consideration! 

Planning to participate in the Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies? Please complete this form. This will help EIU prepare for seating arrangements and allow for reserved parking. 

Saturday, May 9 - Groniger Arena

Panthers in the Effingham area, we’re bringing Eastern to you! Join us for EIU Night Out in Effingham at the Gabby Goat, located at 303 E. Fayette Avenue, for a fulfilling evening of connection, conversation, and Panther pride. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30; advanced registration is required.

Enjoy great food, refreshing drinks, and plenty of time to network with fellow EIU alumni and friends. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with classmates, expand your professional circle, or simply enjoy an evening out with fellow Panthers in the area, this event is the perfect opportunity to strengthen your ties and find new Panther pals.

We hope you’ll join us for an energizing evening of alumni camaraderie in Effingham!

º£½Ç´óÉñ is committed to providing accessible experiences for all guests. If you require accommodations to fully participate in this event, please contact University Advancement at alumeiu@eiu.edu.

Booth Library is accepting submissions for an Anime-Style Character Contest to find the face of 2026 EIU Comic fest. The Library is looking for an anime-style character in three related poses to license as its official 2026 Comic Fest mascot. The 2026 EIU Comic Fest Contest is officially OPEN, and the winner will take home a $300 prize!

Contest information:

• Submissions must come from current EIU students.
• The student artist must create an anime-style character in three related poses:
  • Directional Gesturing
  • Speaking
  • A third pose of the artist's choice
• Characters must be original artwork. No copyrighted images will be accepted. Final production submissions must be original artwork, not AI-generated.
• At least one pose should translate well for printing in single-color on EIU Comic Fest 2026 t-shirts.
• Entries are due Wednesday, April 29.

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• Remember to submit your character in all three poses. The winning design will be the official face of the 2026 EIU Comic Fest!
• The winning submission will be licensed to Booth Library for usage related to 2026 EIU Comic Fest in perpetuity; however, the copyright for the character will remain with the submitting artist.

For more information about EIU Comic Fest, visit or email comicfest@eiu.edu.

TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING - EIU's Spring Festival 2026, the event will be April 23, 24, and 25. Hayes Street (aka Doudna Circle) and the North Buzzard Parking Lot will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, and will remain closed throughout the festival weekend. Hayes Street and the North Buzzard Lot will be available Sunday, April 25, beginning at midnight. Any vehicles remaining in the closed lot will be cited and relocated at the owner’s expense. Festival planners and UPD appreciate everyone's support and understanding during this temporary inconvenience.  Thank you.

The Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Mobile Mammography Bus will be on EIU's Campus Tuesday, April 21.

  -  Who: All Women age 35 and over
  -  When: Tuesday, April 21
  -  Where: Between the Alumni Clock Tower and Lumpkin Hall
  -  How to schedule your appointment: Call 1-800-639-5929

Join us for an unforgettable evening in Groniger Arena of entertainment, dining, and philanthropy at the , a premier Panther Club event benefiting º£½Ç´óÉñ student-athletes. This high-energy celebration brings together alumni, donors, community leaders, and Panther fans for a night that makes a meaningful impact for our student-athletes and department as a whole. The evening will include dinner, music, entertainment and a silent and live auction.  

Purchase tickets or call/email Amber May at (217) 581-6425 or ammay@eiu.edu.  

No worries about inclement weather this time!

Booth Library Spring Annual Book Sale will be in the library's Atrium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at the center of the library's main level, regardless of weather conditions outdoors! To find the Media Sale in the library’s Atrium, enter the building at the north or south entry, and take the 3000 level concourse to the central elevator or Atrium stairs, then proceed downstairs to the 1000 level.

Take note, we're spinning a different tune this time, and hosting a Book Sale without the BOOKS.

Instead, we’re rolling out the VINYL and other media collections that don't tolerate heat, moisture and outdoor conditions at our traditional sale events! Look forward to browsing classical, jazz, and popular music:

• More than 800 LPs
• More than 700 DVDs
• More than 2000 CDs
• Audiobooks
• Sheet music, too!

No reading required. Just press play. Browse our Vinyl, DVDs, CDs, including audio books, all at bargain basement prices! Pre-sale browsing, holds and purchases will not be permitted. All items have been donated by the campus and local communities. The proceeds from the sale are used to enhance library programs and services. For the latest information, check the library website, , or find Booth Library on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Visit the website below for more information, to review the schedule, and to register! 

More Information Here!

Don't stop stressing! Stress is a part of our everyday lives. Come learn skills and strategies to help you manage your stress levels. We'll chat about time management, self-care, mindfulness, and much more! We'll be in Taylor Hall starting at 5 p.m. April 2!

Join Booth Library and the Office of Belonging, Access and Engagement as we hear about the lived religious experience of students from around campus! This interfaith panel, supported by the Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative, will bring multiple faiths together, allowing for deep conversations on our similar journeys. This event will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2 in the West Reading Room, 3000 Level of Booth Library. For additional information on the Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative, please visit this .

Celebrate April Fool's Day by making breakfast for dinner! Flip pancakes and cook up some turkey bacon for a lighter take on a classic breakfast combo.
Note: Pancakes are vegetarian and turkey bacon is not (of course!)

Date:          4/1/2026
Time:         5 p.m.
Location:   Klehm Hall 2309        

Come table with us to learn about our next Healthy Cooking event titled, April Fool's Day: Breakfast for Dinner! Celebrate April Fool's Day by making breakfast for dinner!  Flip pancakes and cook up some turkey bacon for a lighter take on a classic breakfast combo. We'll be at the MLK Jr Student Union from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 31.

All full-time employees with at least one year of full-time service are eligible for this recognition.  Nominees should embody the EIU brand and exemplify what makes EIU a distinctive and outstanding place to live, learn, and work.  The President's Council will review the nominations and make recommendations to the President.  Up to five awards will be granted annually and announced at the President's Fall Update in September/October.  Each service award recipient will receive a commemorative plaque.

Please SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS by 11:45 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026.

Did you know as an EIU employee, you have access to thousands of discount through Working Advantage? Visit the EIU Benefits site for details, and check out the for more information as well. 

EIYOU (EIU 1111) Seeking Fall 2026 Instructors 

The Student Success Center is seeking energetic, innovative, and engaged individuals to teach EIU 1111: EIYOU The Panther Experience, Eastern’s first-year seminar, for Fall 2026.

Please consider bringing your passion, experience, and expertise to our newest students welcoming them to campus and to their new adventures at EIU. 

What is EIYOU: The Panther Experience?

EIYOU is designed to help you make the most of your Panther experience! EIYOU is the first-year experience course that provides the building blocks for academic excellence at EIU.

Students actively participate in areas of student success including navigating the university, building college success skills, creating college support networks, finding your future path and career, financial wellness, academic technology, and student social, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

EIYOU is required for all incoming full-time on-campus students with less than a 3.00 high school GPA, but open to all incoming full-time on-campus freshmen, transfer, and returning students.

In addition, instructors will be expected to attend immersive training on the newly designed course and its implementation. 

Other guidelines for the course: 

• EIU 1111 is now a (1) credit hour course, and the class meets one day a week. Applicants will identify days and times that fit their schedule. 

• Incoming first-year students with under a 3.00 High School GPA will be required to take this course; incoming freshmen with a GPA above this can elect to take the course, including as part of their Freshman Connection experience. 

• Course text:

• Instructors may teach up to (2) course sections. 

For more information about the course, as well as the instructor application, please visit the EIYOU website. The application for new instructors is available Applications are due by the end of the day on April 15, 2026. Instructors will be notified of their acceptance by April 30, 2026, and at that time the day and location of the instructor training session will be provided.

Questions may be directed to Dr. Michael Gillespie at mgillespie@eiu.edu.

º£½Ç´óÉñ is making important investments to improve our campus.

To help keep the campus community informed, we’ve launched a . Visit the site for the latest information on active projects, timelines, impacts to campus access, and more: .

Curious about your mental health? Online screenings can give you a quick check to see if you might be dealing with a mental health concern. While these screenings won’t give you a diagnosis, they can help you decide if it’s time to chat with a mental health professional. As required by the Illinois Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act, EIU offers a variety of screening tools for different mental health topics. Don’t worry—these tools are completely anonymous and won’t ask for your name, E-number, or email. Current screening tools include those focusing on: Anxiety, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Eating Disorders, Post-Partum Depression, PTSD, Cannabis and Alcohol Use.  Visit /mentalhealth/screeningtool.php

The annual Staff Senate election will be held online on April 22, 2026 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Any employee interested in running for a position as Staff Senator may fill out the Staff Senate Nomination Petition. The deadline to submit a petition is April 1, 2026 at 3 p.m.

Staff Senators shall be elected for a term of three (3) years and are eligible for re-election. The term for all positions is 7/1/26 through 6/30/29. Eligible candidates must be permanently employed at EIU for one (1) year and must not be a member of President’s Council, Provost’s Advisory Group, or be represented by Faculty Senate.

Employee categories eligible for election this Spring:

• 1 position from the Administrative & Professional group
• 1 position from the AFSCME 981 employee group
• 1 position from the Contract Appointment/Grant Funded employee group

If you have any questions or need information on your category, please contact:

• Kim Pope | ktpope@eiu.edu | 581-3328 | CLAS Dean’s Office
• Jordan Jenkins | jpjenkins@eiu.edu | Residence Hall Operations
• Mary Brown | mlbrown2@eiu.edu | South Quad Dining

Staff Senate Nomination Petition

Beginning March 16, 2026, parking lots between the Student Services Building, the Old Steam Plant, and south of Blair Hall will be closed as part of a comprehensive upgrade to EIU's campus infrastructure. NOTE: ADA parking spaces immediately south of Blair Hall will remain open, and an ADA‑compliant ramp will be installed to accommodate east–west pedestrian traffic at the northwest corner of the Student Services Building.

Please review a map of the parking lot availability HERE, noting the additional details below.*

Per IGP#19, campus-wide summer office hours will be in effect from Monday, May 11, 2026, through Friday August 14, 2026. When summer office hours are in effect, all offices must be open Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. All administrative offices (and others where possible) will remain open during the lunch hour, Monday through Thursday.

Each office is to change voice mail, signs, and other public communication to reflect its summer hours. Regular business hours will resume on Monday August 17, 2026. Please contact the Human Resources office with any questions.

Holiday Weeks

• Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2026
  • Employees will record Holiday 7.5 hours and then work 30 hours between Tuesday – Friday. If you still want to leave at noon on Friday May 29, 2026, you may use accrued leave time off or work the additional 3.5 hours between Tuesday and Thursday (this would not be overtime, it would be considered flex time).
• Juneteenth/National Freedom Day
  • The week of June 15, 2026, employees will work (4) 7.5 hour days Monday – Thursday and record Holiday 7.5 hours for Friday June 19, 2026.
• Independence Day
  • The week of June 29, 2026, employees will work (4) 7.5 hour days Monday – Thursday and record Holiday 7.5 hours for Friday July 3, 2026.

Part of your responsibility in driving a university owned vehicle is to report any accidents involving that vehicle to Mike Hutchinson the University Risk Manager. You will need to come to Old Main - Room 1140 within 48 hours to fill out a claim report. If there is a police report, please bring it with you. Incidents involving damage to university property must also be reported. If you are unable to come into the office, call (217) 581-2921.

In an effort to strengthen campus safety and emergency communication, the University is offering campus training opportunities and updating its alert procedures.

All employees and students who have a cell phone number on record will automatically receive emergency text alerts. This replaces EIU's previous opt-in system. Anyone who does not wish to receive text alerts will now need to opt out. If the University does not have your current cell phone number, you may add it (along with up to three additional numbers) by logging into Alert EIU. 

The campus emergency management team will also offer three additional upcoming A.L.I.C.E. training sessions. Participants in A.L.I.C.E. sessions learn about the actions that everyday people can take to survive a dangerous encounter with a violent intruder.

Upcoming A.L.I.C.E. Sessions

• Tues., Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union, Arcola/Tuscola Room 
• Wed., Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union, Arcola/Tuscola Room 
• Mon., Feb. 16, 3 to 4:30 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union  Greenup Room 
• Fri., Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union, Arcola/Tuscola Room 
• Tues., Mar. 3, from 2-3:30 pm | MLK Jr. Union  Charleston-Mattoon Room 
• Wed., Mar. 11, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union  Charleston-Mattoon Room 
• Wed., April 8, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union  Charleston-Mattoon Room 
• Fri., April 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. | MLK Jr. Union  Charleston-Mattoon Room 

Register for A.L.I.C.E. sessions here.

If your office, department, or organization would prefer an individualized session, please contact the º£½Ç´óÉñ Police Department at (217) 581-3213 or police@eiu.edu to schedule.