Campus News

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is among the civic and community leaders scheduled to speak at the 2012 UIC Urban Forum Thursday.

The event, “Metropolitan Resilience in a Time of Economic Turmoil,” will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the UIC Forum.

Admission is free for UIC students and employees with i-card, but registration is required. Register and view the agenda online.

 

Focus on education
Chicago Teachers’ Union President Karen Lewis will present her outlook on the city’s education system today for the “Future of Chicago” lecture series.

Her talk, “The Future of Chicago Public Schools,” takes place from noon to 12:50 p.m. in Lecture Center C3.

The series, sponsored by the political science department, is organized and moderated by Dick Simpson, professor of political science and former Chicago alderman.

The talk is presented as the Fred Hess Memorial Lecture, which honors the late scholar and activist in the Chicago school reform movement.

 

Help UIC Radio stay on top
Vote for UIC Radio to be named “Best College Music Radio 2013” by the Chicago Music Awards.

UIC Radio won the title in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

 

Music master
Legendary jazz guitarist Larry Coryell will teach a music master class Friday.

The class is free and open to the public, and participants can bring their instruments.

The class will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in L060 Education, Performing Arts and Social Work Building.

Coryell has recorded more than 90 albums over the past 50 years as a band-leader, soloist and featured accompanist.

 

Need a new license?

The mobile Illinois Secretary of State office will be on campus today from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Center East concourse.

Students and employees can renew driver’s license or state ID, buy vehicle license plate stickers, register to be an organ or tissue donor, and buy specialty UIC license plates to support student scholarships.

 

Sustainability workshop
The UIC student chapter of the Sustainable Remediation Forum — an organization with members in industry, consulting firms, regulatory agencies and research — will hold its first workshop Monday on “Sustainable Civil and Environmental Infrastructure.”

Students and staff are invited to attend the workshop, 5 to 7:30 p.m., 205 Grant Hall. RSVP to uicsurf@gmail.com

 

Business competition
The 8th annual College of Business Administration Concept2Venture Business Plan Competition Dec. 17-18 helps undergraduate and graduate student teams from any of UIC’s 15 colleges turn ideas into real businesses.

Students pitch their business plans to potential investors and compete for awards exceeding $10,000 cash for their business ideas, plus in-kind services.

Registration is required.

For more information, call 312-996-2670.

 

HR units on the move
Compensation and organizational effectiveness, units from the UIC Human Resources department, have moved from the West Side Research Office Building to the Human Resources Building.

Compensation is now in suite 305, on the third floor, and organizational effectiveness is on the second floor in suite 205.

University of Illinois Hospital Human Resources has moved from the Human Resources Building to the third floor of the West Side Research Office Building.

All phone numbers will remain the same.

For more information, call 312-996-5691.

 

Want to play?
Students and employees interested in performing with the UIC String Orchestra can attend an open reading today.

The reading session, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in L060 Education, Performing Arts and Social Work Building, includes Vaughan Williams’ “Thomas Tallis Fantasia” and Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Overture.” Participants should bring their own instrument.

The orchestra, conducted by Daniel Black, is composed of students, employees and alumni who play violin, viola, cello and string bass.

For more information, email danblack@uic.edu

 

Just in time
UIC researchers can apply for “Just in Time” funding to support external research grant applications on topics related to clinical-translational science.

The program, sponsored by the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, helps investigators bolster preliminary data for new or competing renewal grant proposals or address critiques of a summary statement from a reviewed grant proposal.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Funding is limited to a one-year grant of up to $15,000.

 

Interested in museums?
Students can explore museum careers at an information session Dec. 18 for the museum and exhibition studies program.

The event takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.

The interdisciplinary, two-year master’s program prepares students for work in art, anthropology, history, science and other types of museums and cultural centers.

For more information, email museinfo@uic.edu

 

Relaxation techniques

Feeling stressed with finals just around the corner?

Visit the UIC Wellness Center’s interactive “Your Stress Relief Place”website to listen to soothing music, virtually relax at a Costa Rican river, play calming games and more.

 

Online employment verification
University employees who need employment verification to apply for a mortgage, rent an apartment or other purposes can use the online Employment Verification System available through NESSIE, the human resources website.

The online system provides immediate access to employment verification information.

Start the process at NESSIE by selecting the “Personal Info” tab, then establishing a “Vendor Access Number.” Provide the VAN number to the external business or vendor to give them access to your employment verification information.

 

State of the campus
Watch a video address by UIC Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares on the “UIC State of the Campus” on YouTube at

In a series of four video clips, Allen-Meares provides an update on the progress UIC is making in research, teaching and learning and broader campus objectives.

 

Helping hands
The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System seeks donations to help support needy children and families in the neighborhoods surrounding UIC through the 2012 Miracle on Taylor Street Annual Gift Drive.

Anyone can sponsor children or families by providing gifts from a wish list. Donors can give educational books and toys, school supplies, hats and gloves. Donations will be collected the week of Dec. 17.

To participate, e-mail miracle2@uic.edu

 

Student scholarships
Students who excel in academics and athletics are eligible to apply for the 2013-2014 Avery Brundage Scholarship.

Full-time students at the Chicago, Springfield and Urbana campuses, including incoming freshmen, graduate and transfer students, may apply.

Undergraduate and transfer students must rank in the top 25 percent of their college; incoming freshmen must rank in the upper 25 percent of their incoming class. Graduate and professional students must be in good academic standing.

Students must show “special athletic ability” in an amateur sport for personal development, rather than as preparation for professional athletics.

Previous winners represent a wide variety of sports, from archery and tennis to swimming, dance and wheelchair basketball. Last year, 16 winners were awarded $2,500 each.

The application deadline is Feb. 11.

 

Recognizing innovation
Nominations are due Dec. 14 for the Office of Technology Management’s annual UIC Inventor of the Year Award, along with a new award — Innovator of the Year.

Each award recognizes an outstanding faculty member who has worked with the Office of Technology Management in the technology transfer process.

Winners will each receive a one-time $3,500 prize and a commemorative award, presented Feb. 20.

Applications are available at

Submissions can be entered in one category (either inventor or innovator).

 

Reduced service
UIC will observe a reduced service schedule from Dec. 27 through Dec. 31.

On reduced service days, UIC will not be officially closed, and essential services, including security, will be provided. General administrative offices will close and doors to academic buildings will be locked.

University employees are asked to use accrued vacation time or floating holidays to cover these three days.

Staff members who would like to work during the reduced service days should notify their supervisor in writing by Dec. 1.

Campus units that do not observe the reduced service schedule include the UI Hospital and clinics, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, Facilities Management and Capital Programs, Environmental Health and Safety Office, Telecommunication Services, Facility and Space Planning, University Police, Campus Auxiliary Services and Biologic Resources Laboratory.