海角社区

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!

海角社区 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.

On Thursday, April 23, come enjoy a night of games, snacks, and prizes courtesy of the Society for Collegiate Journalists, made up of members of the Daily Eastern News, WEIU TV, and HitMix 88.9. This free event will start at 6:30 p.m. and is open to students of all majors. Feel free to join alone or bring along your friends! Events include board games and big-screen Mario Kart. Meet outside the Buzzard Hall auditorium, then head to the game of your choice!

This presentation by the HERC will discuss how alcohol and cannabis affects the body. Join us on Wednesday, April 22 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the MLK Jr Union's Charleston/Mattoon room (3rd floor).

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.

Everyone's welcome as the Department of Psychology Honors Students, in collaboration with Health and Counseling Services, presents a Burnout Fair Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in the MLK, Jr. Union Bridge Lounge. Mellow out with a therapy dog, eat pizza, relax with a craft, or smash away your stress by breaking tiles. 

Attendees also can take part in the following sessions:

• Progressive Relaxation from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m., Charleston/Mattoon Room
• Mindfulness from 3:30 to 4 p.m., Sullivan Room
• Laughter Therapy from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m., Sullivan Room
• Art for Connection from 5 to 6 p.m., Sullivan Room

One of the many benefits of being a SURS member is that you have access to local SURS Defined Contribution Account Representatives. These experienced financial professionals can assist with retirement planning and answer your questions about the SURS Retirement Savings Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan.

• Are you on track to retire well?
• Do you understand how much retirement income your current savings will generate and how much you’ll need to retire comfortably?
• Are you taking advantage of all of the retirement savings resources available to you through SURS?

Details

• Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 1-on-1 meetings
• Location: Greenup Room MLK Union

If you have any questions, please call 800-613-9543 to speak with the SURS Defined Contribution Contact Center Monday–Friday from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. CT or visit surs.org, where you can access your account. Schedule an appointment with a local representative at .

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 海角社区 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.  

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 April 17 from 11 a.m. to noon!

Sick Leave Bank enrollment is opening soon! 

• Enrollment window: May 1 through May 29
• How to enroll: Log into your PAWS account, click the Employee tab, then click Employee Sick Bank.
• Questions: Contact the Benefits Office at benefits@eiu.edu or 217-581-5825.

The Political Science Department would like to congratulate Jeff Ashley, Political Science Professor, on his 25 years of service and retirement.  Jeff has served on University Personnel Committee, Faculty Senate, Faculty Fellows, and assorted college and departmental commitees.  Enjoy your retirement Jeff!

This tabling will discuss how alcohol and cannabis affects the body. Join us on April 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Taylor Hall Breezeway!

Kara Huber Guest Piano Recital
Free for All Audiences
The Recital Hall
Monday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Kara Huber of Interlochen Arts Academy will present a solo piano recital featuring a vibrant program that highlights influential voices in American piano music alongside the powerful Romantic works of Sergei Rachmaninoff. A distinguished pianist and dedicated educator at Interlochen Arts Academy, Dr. Huber mentors the next generation of young musicians. Known for her insightful programming and expressive performances, she brings both scholarly depth and artistic passion to the stage.

Jazz Band and Combos
Free for All Audiences
The Theatre
Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Join EIU's Jazz in the Theatre for classical jazz compositions and new student arrangements and compositions. The concert will feature EIU's Jazz Lab Band and Combos: the Birdland Quintet and the Blue Note Quintet.

A Doll's House
$15 General | $5 EIU Students
The Black Box Theatre
Thursday, April 16 // Friday, April 17 // Saturday, April 18 // Sunday, April 19 -- All shows at 7:30 p.m.

Adapted & Directed by Anne Thibault, Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is an electrifying drama that shattered 19th-century norms and still ignites debate today. At the heart of the play is Nora Helmer, a seemingly perfect wife and mother who harbors a secret that threatens to upend her carefully curated life. As the façade of domestic bliss cracks, Nora embarks on a journey of self-discovery, challenging societal expectations and redefining what it means to be free. Filled with tension, betrayal, and unexpected moments of tenderness, A Doll’s House remains as urgent and provocative as ever - asking us all: What do we sacrifice to play our assigned roles? And what happens when we refuse?

You can purchase your tickets online at www.eiu.edu/doudnatix, over the phone (217) 581-3110, or in person at Doudna's Box Office during Box Office Hours (Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Jazz Alumni Concert
Free for All Audiences
The Theatre
Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy a jazz concert featuring over 40 former EIU students from the last 35 years in recognition of Prof. Sam Fagaly.

EIU's Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the Council on Faculty Research would like to congratulate the faculty members who received a 2026 Summer Research and Creative Activity Award. Those faculty members who received an award include:

• Assande Desire Adom, Economics
• Michael Beck, Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Gary Bulla, Biological Sciences
• Gary Canivez, Psychology
• Bradley Decker, Music
• Hongshan He, Chemistry
• Toqeer Israr, Technology
• Andrew Kerins, Kinesiology Sport and Recreation
• Simon Lee, Business
• Scott Meiners, Biological Sciences
• Britto Nathan, Biological Sciences
• Cesar Ortiz-Ledón, Chemistry
• Gopal Periyannan, Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Alan Pocaro, Art + Design
• Md Farhadur Reza, Mathematics and Computer Science
• Anne Thibault Geen, Theatre

• Olivia Bennett of Charleston is a junior at 海角社区 majoring in broadcast journalism. She has worked as a Gray Television fellow for WOIO-TV in Cleveland; a producer, anchor and investigative reporter for TruBlu Crime Streaming; and managing editor, anchor and reporter for WEIU-TV News Watch. With this year’s award, Benett is now a three-time INBA scholarship winner. She will be taking home INBA Fred “Fritz” Sorenson Scholarship. Sorenson was a longtime reporter and anchor for WKRS radio in Waukegan and WCIA-TV in Champaign.
• Andrew Spaid of Lake in the Hills will graduate this spring from 海角社区 with a degree in TV and video production. He has worked as a sports and news anchor, producer and sports director for WEIU-TV and was an on-air DJ for Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU. He also is a host and producer of the Anytime Sports Podcast, worked on the live sports production crew for ESPN+ and was a freelance camera operator for WQAD-TV. Andrew is the winner of the INBA Don Brown Scholarship. Don Brown is the namesake for the INBA’s first-ever scholarship, given in 1963. He worked for radio stations in Iowa and taught at the Universities of Iowa, Illinois, and Arizona State and was instrumental in forming the INBA in 1955.

• Devin Brooks, reporter/anchor, WQAD-TV, Quad Cities, a multi-time INBA scholarship winner himself and INBA board member.
• Jenna Dooley, news director, WNIJ in DeKalb, and INBA past president
• Rachel Lippmann, justice reporter, St. Louis Public Radio, and INBA past president
• Emily Manley, former Missouri capitol bureau reporter for Nexstar and former INBA vice president

A friendly reminder to emplyees to submit their monthly leave reports before noon on the 10th of each month or at the time designated by your department approver. In addition, all approvers must have all time/leave approved prior to noon on the 10th of each month as well. To fill out a leave report, please log-in to PAWS from this link: .
 
Log-in using your EIU provided user name and password.

1. Click on the EMPLOYEE tab
2. Select PAWS9 EMPLOYEE DASHBOARD
3. Select ENTER LEAVE REPORT (blue box, right side of screen)
4. Select the correct reporting period
5. Select ADD EARN CODE and enter hours

For additional information concerning Positive Time Reporting/Leave Reporting, please click on the following link to the FAQs:
and log in using your EIU provided user name and password.

The following internal governing policies were recently updated with approval by the President. Please take time to review the changes to these policies:

• IGP #72 - Grant-In-Aid Awards (nomenclature change only)
• IGP #86 - Sports and Recreation Board  ELIMINATED
• IGP #88 - University Union Board ELIMINATED
• IGP #102 - University Accounts
• IGP #145 - Use of University Facilities and Grounds - Lantz Building
• IGP #146 - Use of University Facilities and Grounds - Usage Charges
• IGP #156 - Campus Safety Responsibilities (nomenclature change only)

Student Insurance provides the student worldwide protection, 24 hours a day. The Plan has a $100 deductible per diagnosis and pays up to 70% of eligible expenses for physician and hospital expenses, lab and x-ray, surgery, ambulance transport, physical therapy, maternity expenses, mental health and substance abuse issues. The Student Insurance plan also covers prescriptions at the Health and Counseling Services center on campus.

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving students a choice in their care and provides coverage for treatment the student receives while they are at home, at school, and wherever they may travel. When you have other insurance, the Plan coordinates with the primary carrier. Student Insurance is an economical way to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses when family health plans do not cover 100% of medical costs because of deductibles, co-payment amounts, limitations on specific benefits, and out-of-network penalties. The Student Insurance Plan complements the family health plan. Most students find it beneficial to carry both, particularly if the family plan has a deductible and/or coinsurance.

You can find more information about the Plan at or by contacting our office at (217) 581-5290. There are two short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

The Summer 2026 Student Insurance fee will be automatically assessed to students enrolled in an on-campus program taking nine or more hours; graduate assistants under contract to the University; and international students enrolled in an on-campus program taking three or more hours. 

Students wishing to waive the Student Insurance Plan must complete the Waiver Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab. Student-athletes and members of the Cheer Team are not allowed to waive the Student Insurance. The deadline to waive coverage for the Summer 2026 semester is May 27, 2026. 

Student Insurance is available for the Summer 2026 term. The coverage effective dates are 5/11/2026-8/16/2026. The cost for the coverage is $95.40.

Students who are insured in Spring 2026 who desire Summer coverage and will not be enrolled in the Summer Term, may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2026 Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/11/26.

Students who enroll for five or more hours for the Summer Term may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2026  Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/27/26. Coverage is effective upon receipt of the enrollment form.

Student Insurance provides the student worldwide protection 24 hours a day.  The Plan has a $100 deductible per diagnosis and pays up to 70% of eligible expenses for physician and hospital expenses, lab and x-ray, surgery, ambulance transport, physical therapy, maternity expenses, mental health and substance abuse issues. The Student Insurance Plan also reduces copays for prescription medications at the Health Services on campus. 

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving students a choice in their care and provides coverage for treatment the student receives while they are at home, at school, and wherever they may travel. 

Student Insurance is an economical way to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses when family health plans do not cover 100% of medical costs because of deductibles, co-payment amounts, limitations on specific benefits, and out-of-network penalties.  The Student Insurance Plan complements the family health plan.  Most students find it beneficial to carry both, particularly if the family plan has a deductible and/or coinsurance.

You can find more information about the Plan at  or by contacting our office at (217) 581-5290. There are two short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

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.

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. 

海角社区 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: .

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鈥慶ompliant 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.

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 海角社区 Police Department at (217) 581-3213 or police@eiu.edu to schedule.