Please email Cindy Ashwill by January 15 to submit items for the next issue of the digest.
ACTION ITEMS
Building Usage: All employees should complete the iSchool Return to On-Site Work - Spring 2021 form by Friday, December 18, at noon to allow the Return to On-Site Work Team (RTOW) to plan for the spring semester. If you are a new iSchool employee and haven’t taken the COVID-19 training, you should complete this training by Monday, January 25; this training remains valid indefinitely. Building usage guidelines for the spring are available iSchool Wiki. If you have any questions, email RTOW.
Course Registration: Course Explorer is open for spring semester. Classes begin on Monday, January 25. Enrollments can be monitored in the Self-Service/Banner Class Schedule after registration opens; alternatively, you can use DMI Class Rosters for Instructors. The ATLAS Photo Roster is available for your reference. Cancellation decisions will be made the week of January 10. In order to hold a course, enrollment of at least 10 students is expected, but other factors are also important, including graduation requirements, core topics, and overall student interest.
Course Websites: Request your spring courses with the ATLAS Course Site Request System. For guidance, follow the step-by-step documentation and video tutorial. ITD is available to review websites and provide navigational and aesthetic improvements. If you would like assistance, contact the Help Desk.
End-of-Semester Survey: Please fill out a brief survey by Friday, December 18, to assist ITD and the Help Desk team in providing you with the best support possible.
Grant Proposal Deadlines: Due to the expected increase in submissions across campus, it is essential that researchers planning to submit proposals in January allow enough time for a full review and possible corrections. SPA policy requests that proposals be submitted at least four business days before the sponsor deadline, which means that documents should be submitted to Research Services at least two days before then. This will avoid the failure to submit proposals in time, especially if submission systems crash. Please keep in mind that Research Services staff will not be available from December 24 - January 3, so please contact both Tamara Roosevelt and Beth Etchison before the break about January proposals, so they can help manage submission requirements.
Payroll Processing: The December pay period will require payroll processing during winter break. Please determine if your hourly employees need to work on December 24-26 and notify iSchool HR. Timesheets for employees who will not work during this time should be submitted immediately after the last day of work prior to winter break.
Spring Appointments: Requests for student appointments (RA, GA, or PGA) are due as soon as possible. Instructions are located in the iSchool Wiki. Please be sure to confirm if the student is working remotely. Questions? Contact iSchool HR.
W-2 Information: The OBFS website provides a distribution timeline and directions for receiving your form electronically. The due date to provide consent for electronic distribution is Thursday, January 14.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
iSchool Virtual Convocation: You are invited to join the celebration of this year's graduates (May, August, and December) by attending the upcoming convocation ceremony. Thomas Padilla (MS '13) will serve as the speaker.
iSchool Virtual Student Showcase: Save the date for this event, which now includes undergraduate students:
- Friday, April 2, 4:00 p.m.
Student Orientation and Onboarding: Student Affairs will continue to host all onboarding and orientations online. Orientation and Welcome Weekend times and dates are listed below. Please note that all MS/LIS students, regardless of modality, will participate together.
- MS/IM Required Online Orientation: Friday, January 15, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- MS/LIS Required Online Orientation: Saturday, January 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- MS/IM Required Online Career Session: Tuesday, January 19, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
- School Library Licensure Information Session: Tuesday, January 19, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (tentative)
- Welcome Weekend (normally for new online MS/LIS but open to all new MS/LIS students): Saturday, February 27, with optional activities on Sunday, February 28
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gradebook Consultations: The ITD team is happy to schedule a gradebook consultation to help you finalize your gradebook and get ready for submitting grades to Banner. Contact the Help Desk for assistance.
HR Survey: Watch for a survey from iSchool HR to document who will work out of the state and country during spring semester. This information is required for payroll and tax purposes.
iSchool Alumni Association (ISAA) Board of Directors: Current officers, elected on December 5, include President Brad Irwin (MS '16), Vice President Louisa Kwasigroch (MS '13), Secretary Robert Sarwark (MS '16), Treasurer Bradley Kuykendall (MS '15), Past President Jamie Wittenberg (MS '15), and Directors Jhani Miller (MS '15), Mark McCarthy (MS '18), Jake Bowen (MS '17), and Tarida Anantachai (MS '11).
iSchool Tagline: An information session was held by Communications on December 11 to share plans for a new iSchool tagline. This tagline will be used to strengthen the iSchool brand across a variety of communications and marketing initiatives. The session provided an overview of the creative process, supporting messages, and next steps. The presentation is available for review by those who could not attend.
Moodle Upgrade: The Learn@Illinois Moodle will be upgraded from version 3.6 to version 3.9 before the start of the spring semester. Information about the changes will be shared via email, and a Tech Time will be held the week of January 18 to showcase new features.
New Building Progress: Construction continues on the new building at 6th and Daniel, with potential occupancy of the 4th and 5th floors by the iSchool in fall 2021 (apartment leasing is advertised for fall 2021). The next phase of planning will identify which faculty and staff will be housed in the new space and their furniture and equipment needs. Tad Schroeder will coordinate information gathering for this phase and manage inquiries.
Research Services Workshops: This spring, short workshops will be offered to provide insights and guidance concerning new opportunities in research. Upcoming topics include setting up an ORCID research ID, navigating the new NIH/NSF SciENcv online forms, and using Amazon to pay research participants. If you would like to propose specific topics, please email Alaine Martaus.
Tech Time: If you missed a session this semester, visit the Help Desk's Media Space channel. To receive emails when new recordings are added, subscribe to this channel.
Winter Break Closures:
- Business Office: Closed December 24 - January 3
- Communications: Closed December 23 - January 4
- Facilities: Closed December 23 - January 3
- Front Office: Closed December 24 - January 3
- Human Resources: Closed December 23 - January 3
- Information Technology/Help Desk: Closed December 24 - January 3
- Research Services: Closed December 24 - January 3
Emergency or Urgent Contacts during Winter Break
The iSchool will be closed to the public, with swipe access for employees only, until January 25. If there is an immediate or imminent threat to life or property, call 911.
For an urgent facility need, please call in the following order:
- Tad Schroeder: (217) 841-4540
- University Facilities and Services: (217) 333-0340
- Public Safety (217) 333-1216 (after business hours)
Examples of non-emergency events:
- Ice or snow buildup on walkway or entryway
- Water leak and/or plumbing issue
- Power failure
- Broken exterior window or door
- Smell of natural gas
For assistance with facilities-related issues, please email facilities@help.ischool.illinois.edu.
For assistance from the Help Desk/ITD, please email help@support.ischool.illinois.edu.