The Boldly Illinois Research Computing Visioning Committee invites you to share your input on campus research computing needs - from sensors and laptops to cloud services and supercomputers. We welcome responses from researchers and from faculty/IT staff who support them. Your feedback will help shape a campus-wide vision to strengthen research support and innovation. Start Survey

The draft Summer 2025 list is now available at https://go.illinois.edu/lotrae. If your course is missing, check your instructor report against the criteria in the draft list.  At least five students must have completed the relevant item(s) and you must have released your sections for inclusion on the list.  For questions or corrections, email ices@illinois.edu or call 217-244-3846.

Are you new to Illinois? There are a few tricky names on campus that trip up even seasoned Illinois students and staff. Visit the Pronunciation Guide on the brand website for a comprehensive list with audio. Here’s an example of one of the iconic buildings on campus. Foellinger Auditorium: FOAL-in-grrr (like a baby horse with a hard “g”) 

Homecoming 2025 Week is almost here! Celebrate this annual tradition with the Official Homecoming T-shirt available through the Illini Union Bookstore. Order online or stop in-store! You can also pick up the official Homecoming button for FREE in the store.

September 19 is the last day to drop a Part of Term A course via Self-Service. Have questions about registration deadlines or submitting a form? Click here for an advising appointment!

At the end of a busy day, when you’re hungry and tired, do you go home knowing you’re all set to prepare a tasty, healthy dinner? Are you happy with how much money you spend on food? Would you like to learn some tricks for eating well for less money? If any of these questions resonate with you, then How to Save on Food is the webinar for you! Registration required.

Looking for something fun to do with your colleagues and friends? Join the Bowling Leagues at the Illini Union Rec Room. This casual, fun environment is the perfect way to enjoy bowling with your friends. There are Sunday evening Duo or Team leagues, along with a Friday Lunchtime League. Sign up as a team or individual. The leagues start on Sept. 21 and will run until Dec. 7. Click here for complete details and to register.

The ability to craft an effective funding proposal can reap a lifetime of rewards. As a graduate student, now is the time to hone your grant writing proficiency. In this workshop from the Grad College's Office of External Fellowships, designed for students in science, technology, engineering, & math, you will learn how to identify funding opportunities, strategize the components of an effective proposal, and think like a grant writer. Come with questions about this mysterious genre; leave with a template you can adapt to become a competitive applicant for prestigious awards. Register here.

During this hybrid event, Center for Writing Studies faculty from across disciplines will unpack key terms central to writing research. Join us to hear faculty explore their favorite writing research keywords, the work these terms do in their own scholarship, and how these terms intersect or diverge across fields. This event offers a chance to see how writing research concepts move across disciplines, and we hope you’ll join us to gain fresh perspectives for your own research and teaching.  

Are you having trouble organizing all your sources but don’t know where to start? This hands-on workshop will introduce you to three popular citation managers—Mendeley, Zotero, and Endnote. We will go over pros and cons of each one and give you a preview of how they work to help you choose the best fit for your citation needs.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine will host a webinar that showcases practical, low-cost methods to sustain meaningful environmental and societal research during times of limited financial support. The webinar is aimed at supporting graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career faculty in environmental, social science, and associated disciplines. 

There are multiple methodologies to create literature reviews, with different aims, goals, protocols, and outcomes. Attend this workshop to learn about the range of evidence synthesis (literature review) methodologies, from a traditional narrative review to rigorous reviews such as systematic reviews and umbrella reviews. We will discuss 12 types of reviews, identify the similarities and differences between them and provide insight into how to select the review type that is best suited for your project.  Offered twice: September 16, 4-5 PM (in-person) and September 19, 11 AM-12 PM (online)

What is AI, is it useful for your research, and how can the University help support your exploration? In this 4-session workshop series, PhD students and postdocs will experiment with ways to use AI in their research process and reflect on its usefulness. IT professionals will lead hands-on exercises in these tools, followed by in-depth discussion. Topics will include getting started with generative AI, ethics & privacy, and working with qualitative and quantitative data. This is a collaboration between the Graduate College and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Registration Required

Are you overwhelmed by organizing your sources? Zotero is a free, open-source citation manager that helps you store and organize your files and insert formatted citations into papers. You will leave this hands-on workshop with a Zotero library set up and ready to use!

NCSA is offering a 2-hour workshop for campus researchers to introduce the Illinois Campus Cluster (ICC) and teach how to perform basic tasks in its cluster environment. There are no prerequisites for this workshop. A user account on the ICC will be provided for the hands-on exercises. Register by Sept. 25, 2025. 

MAXQDA is a robust software for analyzing qualitative data, including text, media, and survey data. MAXQDA is available for free to all campus users via Illinois Computes. This workshop is the first in a three-part series on using MAXQDA for analyzing qualitative data and does not assume any previous knowledge of MAXQDA. You may find it helpful to use the materials from the Planning Qualitative Analysis workshop to think about strategies relevant to your own research project. Offered twice: September 18, 2-3 PM (in-person) and September 19, 10-11 AM (online)

In this workshop, we'll explore two free tools for analyzing data: 1) Taguette and 2) QualCoder. Both tools are open-source and freely available. Taguette is an easy-to-use tool for coding text data and offers online collaboration for team-based projects. QualCoder's features are comparable to licensed software like NVivo or MAXQDA, including the ability to work with multimedia and survey data, to use variables, automatically code text data, and calculate inter rater reliability. Offered twice: September 15, 2-3 PM (in-person) and September 17, 10-11 AM (online)

If you are taking a preliminary or final exam this semester, make sure that you submit your request through the Graduate College Student Portal at least THREE WEEKS BEFORE your exam will take place. Late requests may require additional documentation. Please reach out to thesis@illinois.edu if you have questions.

If you are taking a preliminary or final exam this semester, make sure to start the committee appointment process through the Graduate College Student Portal. Once you've completed your request, it will be sent to your department for review and submission to the Graduate College. You can learn more and committee policies and access tutorials for the student portal on the Graduate College website.

The National Center for Principled Leadership and Research Ethics (NCPRE) is pleased to share a new resource highlighting a communication approach proven effective through a randomized trial and a replication study for holding laboratory discussions about issues central to the conduct of ethical research in the lab. 

The Writers Workshop is here to help you with your job search! We'll review best practices for creating a concise cover letter that complements your resume on 9/16 (bring your own + a current job ad to practice applying the strategies!). On 9/17, we'll go over expectations for statements of teaching philosophy and how to draft, strengthen, and tailor your own. Register by the day prior to the event to receive the Zoom invitation.

An effective interview should demonstrate why you're a good fit for a role and leave the interviewers excited about the prospect of working with you.  But actually achieving this goal can be a challenge. In this workshop, we'll discuss strategies for preparing yourself for job interviews, and techniques for answering different types of questions by telling your professional story in compelling ways. This session will be on Zoom at https://go.grad.illinois.edu/eventspace

What is a faculty interview actually like? What sorts of questions will I be asked? How should I talk about my research and teaching? How does a campus interview work? What do I talk to the department head about? Get answers to these questions and more as you learn the basics of the first-round faculty interviews. This session will be held on Zoom at https://go.grad.illinois.edu/eventspace

Interested in learning ballroom or latin dance? The Illini Ballroom and Latin team offers weekly lessons for all levels at affordable student rates! Professional lessons, taught every Sunday at 7PM by a professional instructor, are the fastest way to level up your dancing skills. Not sure if professional lessons are right for you? We offer one free trial lesson—no commitment. We also offer student-led classes every Tuesday and Thursday evening starting at 7PM. No prior experience or dance partner required; come meet new people and learn a life-long skill! 

In this talk, "Decolonizing Relationships: The Impact of an Empowerment versus Agency Mindset in International Technical Interventions," the speakers propose a new mindset that shifts the focus in technical education from the practitioner as the changemaker to the practitioner as a facilitator or consultant who affirms the agency and capabilities of the local community. They will discuss two engineering case studies, in Zambia and Honduras.

The Center for Writing Studies is happy to host Dr. Bernadette Calafell! She will be hosting a workshop titled "Using Critical Auto-methodological and Performative Methods in Our Scholarship," and giving a lecture titled "Revolutions are Built on Hope: Cassian Andor and the Revolutionary Politics of Hope in the Star Wars Universe." Please join us on Friday, September 26th! 

NCSA’s September colloquium features Kohei Kishida (University of Illinois) on Quantum Programming Languages with Types and Semantics. Quantum programming is key to making quantum computers practical and scalable, but it faces unique challenges due to the unique properties of quantum physics. This talk will outline the goals of quantum programming languages, explain why features like dependent types are important, and highlight recent progress, including Kishida’s development of the first-ever quantum programming language with linear dependent types and denotational semantics.

Dr. Robert Smith’s research interests include science policy, synthetic biology, emerging biotechnologies, public value, governance of science and technology, collaborative methods, research funding, responsible innovation, science and technology studies, and biofuels. Dr. Smith has published on topics including responsible research and innovation and genomic editing as a site for institutional reflexivity. More info + registration here.

Step into the vibrant world of Pakistan through stories, traditions, and everyday life shared by Pakistani students. This interactive program invites you to explore the warmth of Pakistani culture by savoring a cup of chai, tasting traditional street-style snacks, trying your hand at beautiful mehndi (henna) designs, and enjoying live performances of celebratory songs that bring the festivities to life. Free and open to all!

Join us for a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony! Chado, or the Way of Tea, is one of the most ancient and revered arts of Japan, and is at the very heart of Japan House. Each week will feature a different seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) for guests to enjoy with a bowl of matcha. Space is limited to 20 guests. Reservations are required, no walk-ins will be permitted. Tea ceremonies are offered weekly at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Sinfonia da Camera, the professional chamber orchestra in residence at KCPA, joins PYGMALION 2025 with an immersive concert at the Staerkel Planetarium on Saturday, September 20 performing Britten’s Sinfonietta, the world premiere of Orbital by UIUC composer Steve Taylor, and Milhaud’s jazz-infused La Création du monde, accompanied by stunning commissioned planetarium visuals exploring music, myth, and cosmos.

Join us for a special iCU presentation presented by Jennifer, a proud first-generation UIUC alumna and the founding Director for First Generation Student Initiatives, highlighting reflections from recent travel experiences within Central America and a newly launched Panamá study abroad program. Dinner is provided. This program is open to all current students, regardless of race, color or national origin. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request, please contact internationaled@illinois.edu  

The ancient poet Sappho coined “sweetbitter” in one of her most evocative verses, still striking us to the heart nearly three thousand years later. But who was Sappho? As with so many ancient figures, she is more legend than person today, her story told and retold even as her poetry continues to enchant and move us. RBML’s new exhibit will explore Sappho as poet, muse, and icon through the millennia. The opening reception will evoke an old form of a symposium: a party with spoken words and dance! This event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Join us for the opening of an exhibit celebrating Farm Aid with remarks from curator Dan Gilbert (History; Labor and Employment Relations), live music by New Souls, light refreshments featuring local produce, and more. About the exhibit: On September 22, 1985, 80,000 fans packed Memorial Stadium for a 14-hour show broadcast nationwide. That first concert launched Farm Aid, which still supports grassroots efforts for sustainability and justice in U.S. agriculture. Its model of artist–activist partnership remains a unique song of solidarity.

Join us to learn from two guest scholars about their experience publishing for different audiences: Catherine Hall (Modern British Social and Cultural History, University College London) and Jennifer Morgan (History, New York University). No registration required!

Global Relations in collaboration with the New American Welcome Center will have a Human Library Event as part of the events featured during 2025 National Welcoming Week. The event will feature immigrants and international students living in Champaign-Urbana as human books. Each human “book” will be available during the event to interact with “readers” and talk to them about their native country. Topics covered in the conversations include among others geographic location, cuisine, languages spoken and culture. Refreshments, arts & crafts will be offered as part of the event. Open to all ages!

Celebrate Constitution Day with a creative study break! Join the Library’s Government Information Services at the Illini Union’s Anniversary Plaza to decorate your own pocket Constitution or pick up some non-partisan U.S. government-themed coloring pages. Whether you stay and craft or take materials to-go, we’ve got you covered with free pocket constitutions, stickers, coloring pages, and other fun supplies. Commemorate what the Constitution represents—and celebrate civic life in your own way! 

Stop by the Courtyard Café for Musical Mondays featuring Kolten Taylor & The Truck Toppers. Rooted in outlaw country, while combining elements of rock, Taylor draws inspiration from his experiences as a blue-collar worker and memories of country living. While at college in Champaign-Urbana, Taylor picked up a guitar and began writing with his friends and family. His two latest singles are "Neon Glow" and "Good Time Bad". Taylor's heartfelt lyrics resonate deeply with listeners, capturing audiences with relatability and the band's raw performances. All are welcome to enjoy this free event!

Join We CU and the Illinois Leadership Center on Thursday, September 18, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for a workshop on Entering Community Partnerships. We’ll provide guidance on how to successfully collaborate with community organizations through service and help you reflect on the role that service plays in your personal and professional growth. This workshop includes interactive activities, and you will have time at the end for questions. Dinner will be provided. Register today!

The Mermaid Pool Party is an event designed to get children ages 2-10 comfortable in the water and engaging in fun activities, all while interacting with Mermaids! This event is $5 per child, and parents are required to stay for the duration of the event. Join Campus Recreation for a night of fun in the CRCE Pool! Register in Active Illini with your Illinois netID and password.

McKinley Health Center serves on-campus students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

The University of Illinois Counseling Center provides mental health counseling and well-being education for students. 

If you or a student you know may need support with their basic needs or financial stressors, please reach out.