Does your family or a family you know with children need assistance this holiday season? USI Staff Council is again sponsoring The Giving Tree 2022, an outreach program that provides gifts to the children of faculty, staff and students in the USI community who need assistance.
Application deadline for those seeking to be a part of this year's program is November 7.
Please read the information below before applying:
Dates for gift pick-up will be posted later in November. If you have any questions concerning the application form, please contact Dawn Paris, Staff Council Chair, at 812-465-7047 or Cindy Braker, Employee Relations Chair, at 812-465-7056.
Apply online at https://usisurvey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_envGkza6goRN5GK.
USI Staff Council is hosting a pumpkin decorating contest open to all students, organizations, departments, employees and anyone within the USI community.
Show off your skills at the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 26 for a chance to win a prize. Those who wish to participate in the contest should register their pumpkin by 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 25 by emailing Cindy Braker at chbraker@usi.edu. All pumpkins can be dropped off at the Fuquay Welcome Center between 8 and 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 26.
Voting will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the display tables in the UC Breezeway. You are invited to come vote for your favorite pumpkin in the categories of silliest, spookiest and most creative. Winners will be notified by email.
The Human Resources Department is happy to welcome back the Benefits Bash, the kickoff for open enrollment. Please save the following dates to learn more information about this year's open enrollment period.
Open Enrollment Period—October 20 through November 3
Benefits Bash: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, October 20
Location: University Center East Rooms 2217-2220
Closing Benefits Session: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, November 3
Location: University Center West, Rooms 226-227 (near Carter Hall)
If you have any questions, please contact the USI Benefits staff at 812-464-1815.
Scholarly communication at Rice Library supports USI scholars with an institutional repository (known as Scholarly Open Access Repository or SOAR), open access publishing and author rights. Below are the different ways you can tap into Rice Library services that go beyond journals, books and databases!
Open Access Publishing review and funding
To facilitate more choices in publishing venues for USI faculty, the Faculty Senate endorsed an Open Access Publication Funding Charge (Charge 2018.20). This expands the availability of the Faculty Development Fund provided by the Provost's Office to include Open Access publishing charges in reputable venues. Department or College funds for Open Access publishing may be available as well.
A review of Open Access venues is available in collaboration with the Scholarly Communication Unit of the David L. Rice Library. Authors can submit an Open Access Publication Application to start the review. The review process is free of charge!
Helpful open access review and funding research guide
For more assistance contact Peter Whiting at pwhiting@usi.edu.
Submit and showcase your scholarship in Rice library’s institutional repository SOAR
We offer assistance for USI faculty, staff and students in making their scholarship available to a worldwide audience in in the Scholarly Open Access Repository (SOAR).
SOAR (Scholarly Open Access Repository)
For more assistance on SOAR, contact Peter Whiting at pwhiting@usi.edu.
Applying copyright law to research, teaching and learning
The staff of Rice Library is available to provide education and guidance on applying copyright law to research, teaching and learning to USI faculty. Ways we can help include copyright and fair use concerns related to research, teaching and learning.
Helpful Rice library copyright research guide
For more assistance or questions, you can contact:
USI Disability Resources will present Turbo Teach Tuesdays for faculty, held in quick, 15 minutes or less Zoom virtual sessions, beginning September 27. The meetings are meant to be judgment-free zones where faculty members can ask questions and receive information. Sessions will begin at 9 a.m. on the scheduled days.
Planned topics are:
If you were unable to attend the quick sessions, below are links to recordings from each topic!
Are you looking to organize your Grade Center in Blackboard? This Tech Takeaway video can guide you through the process. Thank you to Online Learning for providing these helpful videos!
Human Resources has announced Ascension St. Vincent Breast Center Mobile 3-D Screening Mammography will be on campus this spring and fall to provide screening mammograms to employees.
From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the mobile screening will be located in Parking Lot I, located behind the Physical Plant Service Center. To participate, please call Ascension St. Vincent Breast Center at 812-485-4437 to schedule your screening. When calling to schedule, inform them that you are a USI employee or the spouse of a USI employee making an appointment for the day. Please bring to your appointment your insurance cards and physician order if you have one (not required).
You are eligible for a screening mammogram if:
Beginning November 2, 2022, Lot C Bay 4 will be closed and reserved for each USI Men's and Women's Basketball game at the Screaming Eagles Arena.
The University Health Center will hold a series of flu vaccination clinics on campus beginning Wednesday, October 5 for USI students and employees.
Flu shots will be offered at the following times and locations, without an appointment necessary:
Employees covered by any USI Anthem medical plan may receive a flu shot at no cost and should bring their Anthem medical card to the clinics.
Flu shots are free for students with the Office Visit Plan. Students without the Office Visit Plan can bill the flu shot cost through insurance or pay $25.
For more information, contact the UHC at 812-465-1250.
New Hires/Rehires
Ariana Swinney
Senior Accounting Assistant, Business Office
Judy Willoughby
Staff Accountant, Business Office
Elizabeth Bowers
Education Coordinator, Intuitional Equity Office
Thomas Tubbs
Public Safety Officer Part-Time, Public Safety
Riley Jamison
Event Support Supervisor, Special Events and Scheduling Services
Rowan Jones
Part-Time Assistant Cross Country Coach, Athletics
Emily Goodin
Assistant Softball Coach, Athletics
Maxell Durcholz
Game Management Personnel, Athletics
Brice Stuteville
Part-Time Grounds Maintenance, Facility Operations & Planning
Kara Carlson
Director of Academic & Support Services for Student Athletics, Athletic Administration
Michael Rust
Games Management Personnel, Athletics
Matthew Will
Games Management Personnel, Athletics
Brandon Cole
Instructor in Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Promotions/Transfers and Reclassifications
Alyssa Akin
Previously: Custodial Worker, Facility Operations and Planning
Graduate Admissions Assistant, Graduate Studies
Lauren Smith
Previously: Assistant Director, Alumni Relations and Volunteer USI
Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement and Volunteer USI
Janet Johnson
Previously: Director, Alumni Relations and Volunteer USI
Director, Alumni Engagement and Volunteer USI
Corrections: Promotions/Transfers and Reclassifications
Moriah Smothers
Previously: Assistant Professor of Education, Teacher Education
Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Masters and Certificate Programs in Education, Teacher Education
David Bower
Previously: Vice President for Development and President of USI Foundation
Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement and President of USI Foundation
Taylor Rokicki
Previously: Adjunct Instructor, College of Liberal Arts
Instructor of English, English
Katherine Watts
Previously: Adjunct Instructor, College of Liberal Arts
Instructor of Art and Design, Art and Design
Kyungyeol Kim
Previously: Assistant Professor of Sport Management, Kinesiology and Sport
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Sport, Kinesiology and Sport
Alyssa Weatherholt
Previously: Associate Professor of Exercise Science, Kinesiology & Sport
Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Sport, Kinesiology & Sport
Ken Walsh
Previously: Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry, Chemistry
Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Jessica Roark
Previously: Instructor of Communications, Communications
Instructor of Communication and Media, Communication and Media
Sally Vogl-Bauer
Previously: Associate Professor of Communications, Communications
Associate Professor of Communication, Communication and Media
Anastasia Draper
Previously: Interim Chief Information Officer, Information Technology
Deputy Chief Information Officer and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Information Technology
John Farless
Previously: Director, University Communications
Chief Communications Officer, University Strategic Communication
Samantha Fiducci
Previously: Digital Marketing Coordinator, University Marketing and Communications
Digital Marketing Specialist, University Marketing Strategy
Stephanie Hawes
Previously: Marketing Manager, University Marketing and Communications
Associate Director of University Brand and Special Projects, University Marketing Strategy
Jennifer Hertel
Previously: Marketing Specialist, University Marketing and Communications
Content Marketing Specialist, University Marketing Strategy
Susanne Stanley
Previously: Travel Manager, Procurement Services
Manager of Travel and Credit Card Operations, Procurement Services
Julie Weinzapfel
Previously: Senior Buyer, Procurement Services
Manager of Procurement Operations, Procurement Services
Carolyn Zullo
Previously: Marketing, Events and Web Coordinator, College of Liberal Arts
Content Marketing Specialist, University Marketing Strategy
William Elliott
Previously: Professor of Geology and Chair of Geology and Physics Department, Pott College of Science, Engineer, and Education
Associate Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education and Interim Chair of Geology and Physics Department and Professor of Geology, Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education
The University's TIAA plan representative, Michael Dooley, will be on campus and has appointments available to discuss retirement planning, investments, open accounts or answer any of your questions.
To schedule an appointment, call 800-732-8353 or visit www.tiaa.org/public/support/contact-us/consultations-seminars—from this page, select "Schedule" under "Your Employer," then select Indiana and University of Southern Indiana from the drop-down menus to see current open appointment times.
Onsite meeting dates for the fall are:
USI students and employees are encouraged to participate in Spirit Fridays and show off their Screagle Pride by wearing USI spirit wear or USI colors (blue, red and white) every Friday!
In need of spirit wear? Browse USI apparel at the USI Campus Store or online.
USI EMPLOYEES: Please note, while Spirit Fridays allow for relaxed business casual, if meetings or events require professional dress, you should adhere to these requirements. For more information on the University's dress guidelines, please refer to the University Handbook entry on Dress Guidelines.
Teaching Faculty: Please announce to your classes that Priority Registration will be from October 24 through October 28. Priority Registration allows eligible students to select courses prior to the beginning of the term. Classes may be looked up online through myUSI.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, October 24, and progresses according to the daily schedule shown in the Class Schedule (bulletin.usi.edu) and at www.usi.edu/registrar/registration/priority-registration-schedule. Students register online via myUSI (my.usi.edu) according to the total of their earned plus currently enrolled hours. Please encourage your students to register at their earliest opportunity.
Don’t wait – enroll now, pay later!
Students who sign up for spring classes during Priority Registration will not be billed until December 16 and are expected to settle their account with the Bursar’s Office by January 13. Summer billing will take place in the weeks leading up to each summer session.
Rice Library hosts workshops to promote research, inspire, explore and connect the USI community on issues associated with research and learning. All workshops are provided for free.
October 24 at 3 p.m.: Open Access Funding and the Nelson Memo
Explore Open Access Funding at USI including "APC (Article Processing Charge)" and the "Nelson Memo: Public access to research" recently issued by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and what this means for researchers that were recently issued by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Presented by Peter Whiting, Scholarly Communication Librarian.
Zoom link: https://usi.zoom.us/j/92331344276
October 25 at 3 p.m.: Showcasing Your Scholarship in SOAR (Scholarly Open Access Repository)
Explore USI's SOAR (Scholarly Open Access Repository) and Open Access. Presented by Peter Whiting, Scholarly Communication Librarian.
Zoom link: https://usi.zoom.us/j/94194810941
October 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by the Rice library entrance: Open Access Week Celebration!
Learn about Open Access and get some free swag!!
Miss a Rice Library Workshop? Contact the presenter of the workshop you missed to connect one-on-one or at a department or college/division meeting.
Questions about the Rice Library Workshops? Contact Peter Whiting, Scholarly Communication Librarian, at pwhiting@usi.edu or 812-465-1280.
The following positions were added to the USI employment website for the period between September 10, 2022 – September 23, 2022.
Office/Clerical
Administrative Assistant, Registrar
Senior Gift Processing Assistant, Development Office
AV Systems Analyst, Academic Technology Services
Service/Maintenance & Security
Public Safety Officer, Public Safety
Professional/Administrator
Career Coordinator, Career Services and Internships
Director, Student Financial Assistance
Chief Marketing Officer, University Marketing and Communications
Content Marketing Specialist, University Marketing and Communications
Faculty
Assistant Professor of Physics, Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education
To review and apply to current positions, visit the Human Resources employment website www.usi.edu/jobs.
Thriving Time is a peer-led, adult learner support group held via Zoom twice per month (once during lunch and once in the evening) to support the mental health and academic success of adult students. This recurring event is sponsored by USI's Center for Adult Learner Success in coordination with Counseling and Psychological Services.
The Byte Smart Coolers located in University Center East and The Link between Health Professions and Science Center are now accepting USI IDs along with credit cards. If you enter your email address after your purchase, you will receive your receipt and also a link for future reference to see what is available in the coolers before visiting them.
The LeBread vending machine located in University Center East also is accepting USI IDs along with credit cards. New items have been added to its menu as well!
To see other dining options on campus, visit Sodexo's "What's open now" page.
The University Health Center has received Pfizer bivalent booster shots—the newest booster shot—to administer during its regular vaccination clinics on Tuesdays, while supplies last. The UHC also is still administering first and second doses of the primary series vaccine during clinics.
Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. every Tuesday that the University is open. Vaccination clinics are held in the University Health Center, located in the lower level of the Health Professions Center, Room HP0091. Visit the Health Center clockwise to make a vaccine appointment.
The USI Vaccination Clinic is open to the general public, allowing anyone eligible for the FDA-approved Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to make an appointment and receive the vaccine at the on-campus University Health Center. All healthy individuals age 12 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine, regardless of residence. Minors must be accompanied to their appointment by a parent or guardian.
The USI Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program will offer free, non-diagnostic pregnancy ultrasounds to those in their second and third trimester. These will be available in the afternoons on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Thursday, September 29. Students will be practicing assigned images under the direction of experienced faculty members. To schedule an appointment, email usi1dms@usi.edu.
Have questions about technologies available to USI students? These might include resources available through the David L. Rice Library or any of the following Eagle Apps:
Join the Center for Adult Learner Success for Tech Tuesdays at 2 p.m. every Tuesday in Health Professions Center 3084. An open consultation about technologies and resources for students will be held for one hour. In-person walk-ins are welcome or students may schedule an online appointment by emailing adult.learners@usi.edu.
Students who are attending graduate school at USI are encouraged to check out Graduate Assistant positions to help pay for school and build their resume as they enter the workforce. Please share this opportunity with students for summer and 2022-2023 school year opportunities. Learn more about graduate assistantships at USI by visiting the Graduate Resources webpage.
With the start of a new academic year, Human Resources would like to remind supervisors and recap preparers about important information regarding the student worker hiring process.
If you have any questions about the student worker hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 812-465-1815 or humanres@usi.edu.
During the 2022 Fall University Meeting, several departmental changes, including name changes, were announced.
University Marketing and Communication will undergo several changes as it is aligned to meet the University's Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan goal of elevating visibility and reputation. Departmental name changes and additions include:
The Office of Sponsored Projects and Research Administration (OSPRA) will now be directed by Dr. Amy Chan Hilton, who also serves as the Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). This update will enhance programs and services to support scholarship, research, and creative endeavors and teaching and learning activities. OSPR supports faculty and administrative staff in their efforts to seek and secure grants, monitors compliance of related regulations and administers the review of human subjects research (IRB). CETL provides holistic faculty development to support success, including effective teaching and course design and impactful scholarship.
Communications, in the College of Liberal Arts, will now be Communication and Media. The shift brands the department with a name accurately reflecting its range of disciplines, breadth and distinction. It also reflects the current landscape of the communication-related academic disciplines and improves overall marketability and visibility both internally and externally. Finally, it helps provide a clearer delineation between the academic and administrative units (i.e., University Strategic Communication).
Chemistry, in the Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education, will now be Chemistry and Biochemistry. Since the introduction of the biochemistry major in 2014, the proportion of biochemistry majors in the department has grown to a majority. The name change will help with recruitment and marketing of those interested in biochemistry.
Human Resources has released the latest University Handbook updates. The University Handbook is available in an interactive and fully searchable web portal or can be downloaded as a searchable PDF. Both can be accessed at handbook.usi.edu. Below are the latest revisions to the University Handbook effective July 23, 2022.
Thank you for keeping up to date with University policies and procedures.
A new benefit has been introduced for USI employees—the Savi tool. Through TIAA and powered by Savi, this tool helps strengthen your financial footing in the short term and positions you for student loan forgiveness by helping you find the best federal repayment and forgiveness programs for your situation. It also helps simplify the long-term task of navigating the way to student loan forgiveness.
Benefits of this tool include:
DIY Tool: $0 per year
Essential Tool: $60 per year
USI employees are encouraged to take a minute and find out how much you could lower your monthly student debt payment. Visit tiaa.org/usi/student for more information.
The beginning of the Fall 2022 Semester brings new hours for the dining options around campus. For more information on USI Dining and the convenient What's Open Now? feature, visit USI.sodexomyway.com.
The hours listed below will be the regular hours for these dining locations:
More dining options are being constructed; watch USI Today for more information as these new spots become available.
University Marketing and Communications will undergo several changes as it is aligned to meet the University’s Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan goal of elevating visibility and reputation. Changes include increased support in the areas of marketing and communications related to the University’s transition to Division I athletics; the development of a marketing department, which previously did not exist; and a strong focus on marketing and communications at the college, online and outreach levels that supports recruitment, retention, visibility and reputation. Positions embedded in each college, as well as other key departments, will manage and implement marketing strategy, apply brand identity, develop aligned content, manage college/department website and social media, and serve as liaisons with Special Events and Scheduling for major events. Several department changes within the department will better reflect the strategic nature of their work as opposed to simply being service providers.
Additionally, Alumni Relations and Volunteer USI will make a structural move from University Marketing and Communications to report to the USI Foundation and Vice President David Bower going forward. This move helps align with the upcoming capital campaign. The team will physically remain in their offices in University Center West.
University Marketing and Communications Departmental Name Changes/Addition
Title and Reporting Changes
New Positions
Other University Departmental Changes
The following email, regarding new services offered by USI Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) was sent to students via email Monday, November 22.
"In addition to the current in-person and telecounseling services provided by the USI Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), we are now offering telecounseling and virtual mental health care for all students through an online service called TimelyCare.
With TimelyCare, you’ll be able to talk to licensed mental health providers from a smartphone or any web-enabled device. Services are available to you 24/7 in all 50 states and include on-demand access to chat with professionals, scheduled counseling options, group sessions and individual health coaching. Services include:
CAPS is adding this telecounseling service as an option for students looking for additional mental health support and resources beyond the current in-person and telecounseling services (individual and group) with licensed counselors and TalkCampus, an anonymous 24/7 chat line for peer-to-peer support monitored by mental health professionals.
How to register for TimelyCare
Go to timelycare.com/usi to register with your .edu email address. You can then schedule visits from any web-enabled device, including smartphones, laptops or desktops. This demo video will walk you through the service and how to register.
If you have questions about the TimelyCare service, you can contact USI Counseling and Psychological Services at usi.caps@usi.edu or 812-464-1867.
University Communications would like to remind USI faculty and staff to submit their achievements via this online submission form. These achievements will be published on the USI Today webpage and shared periodically in USI Today emails.
Examples of faculty and staff achievements include, but are not limited to:
University Communications would love to share your accomplishment. Please do not hesitate to share the great work you’ve been doing!
Please include your name, job title, contact information, a description of the achievement and the date on which it occurred.
Where have you shown your #ScreaglePride lately?
Whether it's at a restaurant, a child's activity or in a new city, USI Today wants to see where you're sporting your Screaming Eagles spirit wear!
To participate, email your photo to usi.today@usi.edu.
Please include: