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Join us in celebrating Carrie Gosset and wish her well in her retirement! Tuesday, September 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. in McAfee Room 2611.

EIU Comic Fest is almost here! Join us at Booth Library on Saturday, September 27, for a jam-packed day celebrating all things pop culture. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public—perfect for students, alumni, and fans of all ages. Explore cosplay, comics, games, workshops, trivia, vendors, and more! Don’t miss your chance to register for the eSports Tournament, Magic: The Gathering matches, and the Cosplay Costume Contest!

Bring your main character energy and enter the Cosplay Costume Contest during EIU Comic Fest on Saturday, September 27 at Booth Library.

-Open to everyone ages 14+
-10 categories to win prizes
-Sign up now at

• Dr. Jay Gatrell, President 
• Dr. Holly Farley, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Mr. Josh Norman, Vice President for Enrollment Management 
• Mr. John Blue, Executive Director for the Office of Belonging, Access, & Engagement 
• Mr. Jeremy Alexander, Senior Associate Director of Housing 
• Mr. Jody Stone, Dean of Students 
• Dr. Michael Gillespie, Dean of Student Success

President Jay Gatrell invites the entire campus community to the EIU Fall Update, scheduled for Wednesday, September 24.

The update will provide information on EIU's strategic direction under Plan 2028 — EIU's five-year blueprint for sustained success. The update will begin with coffee and donuts at 8:30 am in the Doudna Fine Arts Center Concourse with the update beginning in the Dvorak Concert Hall at 9:00 am.

As in prior years, EIU's annual Fall Update will honor the 2025 recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award and celebrate a selection of other recent EIU achievements. We look forward to seeing you there if your schedule allows.

National Hazing Prevention Week is September 22-26, 2025. The EIU Hazing Awareness and Prevention Committee is encouraging the campus community to participate in hazing awareness programs and to learn what each of us can do to eradicate hazing in all its forms. 

Monday, September 22/10am-2pm= These Hands Don't Haze, Outside Tower Dining, Mellin Steps, and South Quad Dining Breezeway in Taylor Hall. EIU students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to paint and place a hand print on the "These Hands Don't Haze" banners to be displayed on the Fourth Street Softball Fence from Sept. 23-29. 

Hazing Awareness and Prevention Through EIU NPHC Alumni Virtual Forum-7pm, Monday, Sept. 22 via Zoom. *See link on posters and displays to register. Led by Dr. Shawn Peoples

Tuesday, September 23/10am-2pm= Faces of Hazing, Library Quad. Display featuring photos and stories of hazing to educate the campus on the devastating impact of hazing on individuals, organizations, and families. 

Wednesday, September 24/10am-2pm= Panthers "Donut" Haze Prze Cab. Enjoy complimentary donuts and purple ribbons along with educational handouts. Studnets will be entered into a drawing to win one of three $50 dining dollar prizes. 

Thursday, September 25/7pm= Join us for the screening of "Love, Mom and Dad," followed by a discussion on the effects of hazing on victims' families and friends and how we can work together to prevent hazing at EIU. 

Friday, September 26- All Day= Panthers Say No To Hazing. Stop hazing and raise awareness by posting on Instagram with @eiu #PanthersAgainstHazing. Posts should highlight why individuals or groups stand against hazing. The student organization with the best post will win a prize for their entire group. 

For more about EIU's Hazing and Prevention efforts along with resouces please go to: /deanofstudents/hazing.php

Jody Stone

Dean of Students

deanofstudents@eiu.edu 

Join the HERC for the return of our popular Self-Care corner series! Join our Mental Health GA for check ins on how to help improve your mental health and take care of yourself during stressful times. We will be located in the Taylor Hall Breezeway from 11 AM to 1 PM!

EIU has planned a great event coming up this fall. We are excited to have some EIU alumni that will be presenting this year! Participants will follow the journey with individuals diagnosed with autism from pre-k toage twenty-two. They will gain knowledge of how specifically designed programmingwithin an autism program met the students’ individual needs. Case studies of students andwhat has been learned with those students on their journey will be presented. The topic is "An Educational Journey With Autism: Supporting Growth from Pre-K to Adulthood".

The event will be held in the EIU MLK University Union on September 19, 2025 from 9am to 3pm.  To register, please use the link below.  

Link to registration page:  /autismcenter/autismconference.php

Please join HERC staff in the MLK Jr. Student Union's Effingham Room from 5:30-6:30 PM for our mindfulness program. Learn tips and tricks to be more mindful and improve your mental health when stressed.

Booth Library will host its Fall Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 outside the south entrance of the library.

A large selection of books in all subject areas and hundreds of paperback fiction titles will be available for purchase. No patrons will be allowed to browse or purchase items prior to the 9 a.m. start time. Paperbacks are $1, and Hardbacks are $2.

All items have been donated by the campus and local communities. The proceeds from the sale are used to enhance library programs and services.

In case of inclement weather, the sale will be postponed or moved inside. For the latest information, check the library website, , or find Booth Library on Facebook or Instagram.

The English and History Departments will host historian Stacy Lynn at Booth Library for an author talk and reading of Loving Lincoln, recently published by the University of Illinois Press. Booth Library invites the EIU campus and greater community to join us on Wednesday, September 17, at 6 p.m. in the library’s West Reading Room for light refreshments.

Lynn is the author of three books on Abraham Lincoln, including, most recently, Loving Lincoln: A Personal History of the Women Who Shaped Lincoln’s Life and Legacy. Loving Lincoln is a collection of stories about the women who shaped Lincoln’s life, as well as those who were influenced by him, including Stacy Lynn herself. This book is a blend of historical and personal memoirs, uplifting Lincoln’s friendships with and love for women.

Lynn attended the University of Illinois, where she earned her Ph.D. in American History in 2007. For twenty years, she was an associate editor at the Papers of Abraham Lincoln from 1996 to 2016, and she now works on the Jane Addams Papers Project. Along with living in the Charleston community, Lynn is a member of the Past Forward Memoir Writers group at EIU.

Lynn will be speaking about her personal connection with studying Abraham Lincoln as well as her expertise as a historian and writer. More of her publications will be on display during the event.

Mark your calendars! EIU Student Success Week is September 8 through September 12, with an Open House on Thursday, September 11 in McAfee Gymnasium. 

Please visit our website at  and select "Get Permits" to purchase a permit. Permits may be ordered beginning July 21, 2025.

Fall or yearly are available online. Please note yearly permits are only offered in the fall semester.  Yearly permits include Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Students who plan to bring a vehicle and park on campus during parking enforcement will be required to display a valid parking permit. Students who live on campus, (including all Residential Halls, Greek Court, University Apartments, University Court) will need a valid parking permit displayed in/on their vehicle.

Delivery 

• All faculty/staff permits will be mailed to the campus departments. The annual 2024-2025 faculty/staff hang tag permits will remain valid until 8/31/2025.

• Student decal permits ordered now through August 10th will be mailed to the student's permanent address via USPS (s/h fee $3). Student permits ordered August 11th and after will be mailed to the student's local mailing address. This mailing address is for the current semester and the address where students are living while attending classes. If students are not living in campus housing, they should provide/update their student mailing address in PAWS. The mailing label is created via PAWS "Personal Information" tab "Update Addresses and Phones"

Part of the responsibility in driving a University-owned vehicle is to report any accidents involving that vehicle to Mike Hutchinson, the University Risk Manager. Anyone who has had an accident in an EIU vehicle 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.

The local Jewish community meets once a month for Shabbat services in the chapel of Wesley United Methodist Church, across from the EIU campus. The current schedule includes a Shabbat service on 9/12 at 7:30 pm and High Holy Day services led by Rabbi Bruce Pfeffer of Indianapolis also held at Wesley UMC with these dates and times: Rosh Hashanah evening service:  Monday, 9/22, 7:30 pm and Rosh Hashanah morning service Tuesday,  9/23 at 10:00 am; Yom Kippur evening service on Wednesday, 10/1 (Kol Nidre) at 7:30 pm, Yom Kippur morning service, Thursday, 10/2 at 10:00 am, and Yom Kippur concluding services (Yizkor/Neilah) on 10/2 at 4:00 pm. For more information, please contact Marjorie Hanft via email at mhanft@eiu.edu.

Booth Library is now seeking nominations for the 25–26 Authors@EIU series, celebrating the achievements of faculty, staff, and alumni writers.

Authors@EIU celebrates the scholarly and creative achievements of our community and offers an engaging forum for brief author talks, Q&A, and conversation—complete with light refreshments and book signing opportunities.

What’s new this year
In addition to EIU personnel, we are now accepting nominations of EIU alumni who have authored substantive works. This is an opportunity to highlight the lasting impact of our graduates while creating meaningful connections between current students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Who’s eligible
Faculty (all ranks/appointments) and Staff with a recently published book or equivalent major scholarly/creative work (monographs, edited volumes, translations/critical editions, significant creative works).
Alumni whose published works represent substantive scholarly or creative contributions.
Co-authored or co-edited works are welcome.

For the events, Booth Library coordinates logistics, promotion, and program materials.
Thank you for helping us celebrate the ideas and creativity of our community. We look forward to your nominations!

Thank you to the library donors whose generosity makes these events and other library programming possible!

Are you a college student, graduate student, or recent graduate with a disability seeking an internship or job? The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) connects federal agencies with college students and recent graduates with disabilities seeking to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace through internships or permanent jobs.

For more info visit  or contact EIU’s Office of Accessibility & Accommodations (McAfee 1336, 217-581-6583) or Career Services (Human Services 1301, 217-581-2412).

As part of º£½Ç´óÉñ’s commitment to ensuring institutional viability and financial stability, the University is implementing a time-limited Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) in FY26 for eligible Faculty, Administrative/Professional, and ASP staff. This program is designed to help the institution proactively manage resources, support ongoing budget restructuring, and strengthen our ability to adapt to current and future needs.

The VSIP is a time-limited program that provides a financial incentive for those who choose to participate, supporting both individual transitions and the University’s ability to realign resources for the future. Participation is entirely voluntary.

In the week ahead, eligible employees will receive direct email notification from Human Resources with plan details and FAQs. To learn more about the VSIP, please visit this link.

From Mya Harbison | Audience Development Manager

Dear EIU Faculty and Staff,

The Tarble is excited to share a new benefit exclusively for you! We are now offering a 20% discount on all membership tiers for EIU faculty and staff. Whether you're renewing or joining for the first time, this is a great opportunity to support the arts on campus and enjoy the benefits of membership at a reduced rate. Here's how!

• Join or renew online here:
• Navigate through the membership field and continue to your cart
• Select your payment method
• On the last page before checkout, use discount code: STAFF25

To explore the different membership levels and their benefits, please visit: . Thank you for being a valued part of the EIU community. We look forward to welcoming you (or welcoming you back!) to the Tarble.

Warm regards,

Tarble Arts Center

ITS'S BACK.....Step Up to a Healthier You with Walktober

Back by popular demand, Be Well is excited to announce the return of Walktober. Take advantage of autumn's cool temperatures and spectacular views in this fitness campaign. You'll go on a virtual color tour through some of the world's most vibrant, breathtaking landscapes and fun events while boosting energy, improving mood, and making walking a priority.

Be sure to participate with a team, friend, family member, or co-worker for support. For participating in the Walktober Challenge, you will have a chance to win Be Well SWAG or one of the grand prizes by completing any of the categories listed:

1. Weekly drawings for earning at least 5 leaves (any color)
2. Midpoint drawings for earning at least 10 leaves (can do any color or gold only)
3. Final drawing(s) for reaching program goal, being a top team or and individual shout out or biggest motivator on the Wellness Wall.

Winners can choose from select prizes ($50 value) including:

• Ear buds
• Smart scale
• Activity tracker
• Magic Bullet

Dates to remember

• Logging begins: Wednesday, October 1
• Registration and team formation ends: Friday, October 31
• Last day to log activity: Sunday, November 30.

Logging activity is simple using your favorite tracking device or the Step Converter tool. Delicious recipes, inspiring articles, interactive message board, motivating daily emails and more help keep you moving!

Sign up for Walktober here: 

And be sure to check for EIU teams to join and maximize your activity!

The University is currently seeking faculty and staff to serve as Advisors and/or Hearing Panel Members in cases involving sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and Title IX procedures.

• Advisors support students or employees as they navigate the formal process, offering non-biased, trauma-informed guidance.

• Hearing Panel Members serve as decision-makers during formal hearings, evaluating evidence and determining outcomes.

Ideal candidates are analytical, fair, supportive, and able to maintain strict confidentiality. This is a limited time commitment, and involvement is based on the frequency of cases and the University’s need. Comprehensive training will be provided—no prior experience is necessary.

Join a community of colleagues working to ensure a fair, respectful, and safe environment for all.

To learn more or express interest, contact Dr. Shawn D. Peoples, Director of the Office of Civil Rights/ Title IX Coordinator, at sdpeoples@eiu.edu or 217-581-5020. 

Did you know you can update your own EIU online profile and directory information?

Each University employee has access to a personal profile editor that makes it easy to keep your information current. Simply visit the profile editor directly, or click the “Update Your Profile” button located in the lower left-hand corner of your profile page. After logging in with your EIU credentials, you’ll be able to edit a wide range of content - from your biography and office hours to languages spoken and photo.

These updates help students and colleagues get to know you better and ensure your profile reflects your current role and contact information.

Note: Certain fields (including phone number, building, office location and department) are managed through Banner. If you need to update any of those, you’ll be directed to a form that will be reviewed and processed by Human Resources.

All EIU students and employees have free access to the complete Adobe Creative Cloud. 

There will no longer be a need for students and employees to buy Adobe software for personal use on their computers.  Adobe Creative Cloud provides apps, web services, and resources for all your creative projects — photography, graphic design, video editing, UX design, drawing and painting, social media, and more.  

If you have questions, check out the FAQ section below.

How can I get access to the Adobe Creative Suite? 

Students:

1. Visit  and login with your EIU credentials.

2. In the upper right hand corner select "Add apps" then "Request new apps".

3. Under suggested apps select "Adobe Student Access" then "Add".

4. Access may take up to 1 hour to be granted. You will receive an email telling you when you have access.

Employees:

All EIU employees will have access by default () and will not require an additional request. 

Are all EIU students eligible? 

All students, with the exception of dual credit students, are eligible.

Why did EIU make this investment? 

Through a partnership with all Illinois public higher education institutions EIU has secured the Creative Cloud at a significantly reduced cost. This has resulted in substantial savings for EIU students while also expanding access to the software for the entire student community.

How long will students have access to Adobe Creative Cloud? 

Eligible students will have access to Adobe Creative Cloud through June 30, 2026.

Are there any restrictions on the use of Adobe Creative Cloud or where I can use it?

No restrictions as long as the student/employee maintains eligibility.

Faculty question: If I want to incorporate this into my course instruction, how do I learn more about its capabilities? 

EIU is working directly with Adobe and the FDIC to provide workshops on instructional use cases. In the short term you can learn more by visiting the .

EIU Marketing & Communications is excited to share our students’ college success through Merit Pages, a platform that highlights student achievements and allows us to tell our student's stories.

These stories include:

• Dean’s list inclusion
• Scholarships
• Presenting research/academic work
• Winning awards
• Internships
• Volunteering
• RSO & club involvement
• Work experience
• Other recognition & accomplishments

EIU's Merit Pages helps showcase student accomplishments from admission through graduation and creates an online presence that will set students apart as they enter the workforce. This makes it easier for employers, graduate schools and internship coordinators to discover and recognize student success. In partnership with EIU Marketing & Communications, Merit Pages also turns student accomplishments into personalized stories.

To learn more and suggest a Merit Page update, visit the Marketing & Communications Merit Page info site.

EIU offers several internal grant opportunities, including:

The Academic Program Innovation Grant (API) supports projects designed to foster new curriculum innovations and enhance the academic reputation of the University. Applicants must hold status as a full-time EIU faculty member (either Unit A or Unit B). Department chairs are eligible to apply. Applications are due by noon, Friday, September 12, 2025. The API application, program details and application submission instructions can be found at the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) API Website.

The EIU Student Impact Grant for Faculty Mentors supports faculty who engage in high impact student practices. Student Impact Grants must be used to support both students and faculty members. Full time faculty (Unit A or B) who will be interacting with or mentoring at least one undergraduate or graduate student during the academic year are eligible. The submission deadline is noon, Monday, October 6, 2025. Program details, including application submission instructions can be found at the ORSP Student Impact Grant Website.

The Early Career Grant (ECG) program supports projects with potential to lead to significant external funding. All University personnel within their first six years of employment by EIU are eligible to submit ECG proposals. Eligible projects include—but are not limited to—research, creative activity, and innovation in academic programs. The submission deadline is noon, Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Program details, including application submission instructions can be found at the ORSP Early Career Grant Website.