The first meeting of the 2026-2027 University Senate will be held at 3:10 p.m. Monday, May 4, in Illini Room A of the Illini Union (first floor). This Organizational and Elections meeting will include the election of Senate officers and committee members for the upcoming year in preparation for the fall semester. View meeting materials online. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Major email providers like Microsoft and Google are enforcing stricter rules to verify where emails come from and as a result more emails are being filtered to the Junk/Spam folder. These changes are driven by global security needs and external email providers — not by campus policy. Tech Services is working with vendors and university IT pros to ensure emails get delivered to your inbox. More details can be found in this Answers KnowledgeBase article.

Preview and provide feedback on the Library's new search and menu experience. Explore the updates, then follow the link on the homepage prototype to share your feedback through May 15. NOTE: You must be on the campus network or logged into the VPN to view. The use of additional VPNs or relays on your device may impact your ability to access.

As organizations navigate growing complexity, workforce pressures, and evolving community needs, Continuous Quality Improvement remains an essential framework for moving beyond day-to-day problem solving toward stronger, more resilient systems. This year’s conference focuses on how CQI helps organizations stabilize what matters most, strengthen relationships and processes, and build the capacity to sustain meaningful improvement over time. The deadline for proposals has been extended to May 4.

We invite you to submit original and creative proposals that help improve the ways that we think about global mental health and community well-being. We welcome a wide range of submissions, including traditional scholarly abstracts, as well as creative formats. such as artwork, poetry, music, short films, digital storytelling, and other multimedia presentations. This virtual conference aims to create a collaborative space where people with lived experience, caregivers, community members, artists, etc.

The Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity invites submissions for the upcoming Thursday noon series (fall 2026 and spring 2027). The series "Gender Equity in Inequitable Era” explores how persistent and emerging inequalities in a global context shape the pursuit of gender justice by bringing together theoretical inquiry, research, and practice through interdisciplinary dialogue. It connects scholarship with policy, education, and community engagement and addresses pressing issues such as reproductive justice, labor, and knowledge production. Submission deadline is June 15.

From May 4-22, stop in the Tech Zone at the Illini Union Bookstore to check out their spring clearance sale. You can save hundreds on new previous generation Mac, iPad, PC, and accessories. You can save even more on open box and demo items. This is a great time to grab some new summer tech! Check it out online.

The Radiation and Laser Safety Committee will hold an open forum via Teams at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, to present a brief overview of the radiation and laser safety program and address any community questions and concerns you may have regarding Radiation and Laser Safety on campus. Please email Lowre Young at ldyoung1@illinois.edu by noon Wednesday, May 6, to receive the Teams invitation. 

The final day for Career Center drop-in services is May 6. The last day for Mock Interview appointments is May 7, and the final day for the Professional Portrait Lab is May 8. Coaching appointments will remain available during summer from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Document Review Drop-Ins will be available in the Resource Center from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, starting May 18. Online Personal Statement Reviews will continue as normal with a limit of one review per student for the summer. The submission limit will be reset on May 18.

Our office will be open the following hours during final exam week for processing exams administered using Scantrons: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 8; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, May 11, through Thursday, May 14. We will remain open during the lunch hour from noon to 1 p.m.

The Illini Union Bookstore Starbucks offers the Grounds for the Garden program. Faculty and staff can stop by the Starbucks at the Illini Union Bookstore and pick up free five-pound bags of used coffee grounds, which you can use to add to your gardens and/or compost pile. Bags are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are placed outside of the Starbucks counter. Stop by any time and any day. If bags aren't available, just ask a barista. Read more details about why coffee grounds are good for your garden.

Thomas Wuchte will discuss his experience at the U.S. Departments of Defense and State, the importance of “soft power,” and in what concrete ways does strategic foresight help to counter transnational threats — particularly in Africa. His presentation will discuss the reluctance to embrace right-sized preventive diplomacy as it applies to intra- and interstate conflicts. By tampering with international development models — we will never get to strategic foresight if we lose focus on the need to empower Africa and other rising regions.

LabEscape brings you the final and most exciting chapter in the story of renowned quantum physicist Professor Schrödenberg. The year is 2052. Mining the asteroid Psyche seemed like such a good idea ... until a dark matter anomaly knocked part of it on a collision course with Earth! This latest mission features a unique set of awesome puzzles and challenges, all designed to amaze and astound! Absolutely NO science background is necessary to succeed. Great as a team building activity! Sign up today at https://labescape.org.

Bling your book at the Rare Book and Manuscript Library! We are diving into the book edge decorating trend — bring your own book or sketchbook and paint the edges with our craft supplies! Books that are at least one inch thick will work best with our stencils. Some cool historical fore-edge paintings from the RBML collection will also be on display in our Reading Room. This activity is free and all are welcome to attend.

The Native American House Congratulatory Ceremony is a community-focused event celebrating the graduation of Native and Indigenous students. Graduates and their families are invited to participate in a meaningful, unique program, featuring traditional songs, dances, and other cultural acknowledgments to honor degree completion. Throughout the ceremony, participants will hear messages from Elders, university leadership, and other special guests. A buffet-style dinner concludes this event.

Help make this year's Dump and Run® a success by volunteering in two-hour blocks at one of eight mobile storage units between Monday, May 11, and Saturday, May 16. Volunteers will assist with ensuring only accepted items are dropped off and with monitoring general site activity. Eight containers will be placed near campus residence halls (map) where students and other individuals at the U. of I. can put surplus or gently used personal items into bulk boxes inside the containers. Please note that the transfer of university property is not allowed.

Starfleet has opened registration for brave explorers and scientists to join the spring IT Professionals Forum on Stardate 2026.06.03 to 2026.06.04 (June 3-4, 2026). June 4 will be available in person at the I Hotel and Conference Center online, while June 3 will be online-only. All transmissions will be captioned in real-time, and post-event caption enhancements will be made where needed. Starfleet will close registration at 2 p.m. May 22, so register now to secure your spot on the bridge!

Step into an interactive world of light, sound, and data and discover how public virtual reality can transform shared spaces through an interactive VR installation in Moonlight Bay at Siebel Center for Design, hosted by Ruth West, professor and director of the xREZ Art and Science Lab at University of North Texas!

Join us at Riggs Beer Company at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 10, to hear Sameh Tawfick discuss his work on Mission Illinois. Mission Illinois will carry an experimental scientific demonstration to the international space station to explore how composite materials manufacturing can be done in Earth orbit. You can read more about the project here. Snacks will be provided. We hope to see you there! Presented by the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Beckman Institute, and MCB GSA.

Please join us for the University Archives' monthly Women in Science Lecture Series from noon to 1 p.m. May 6. Samar Hegazy, professor of biomedical and translational sciences, will discuss her research on pathologies in female reproduction and her work on improving pathology education. This is a hybrid event and will take place in the University Archives, Main Library Room 146, or you can register for the Zoom link. Light refreshments provided for in person attendees.

Join us for the Bolashak Research and Professional Development Showcase, a culminating event highlighting participants’ work and learning. The event features pedagogy-focused ePortfolio presentations on instructional design and teaching practices, alongside research poster and professional development presentations from scholars across disciplines. Connect with Bolashak Scholars from Kazakhstan, a cohort of professionals and researchers who have spent the past year at Illinois in academic exchange, professional development, and collaborative work. View the event schedule and project topics.

Explore the possibilities of individual and group dance improvisation. Find a creative path into your own movement expression while building connections with the dancers around you. Based on the ideas and principles of dance pioneer, Barbara Mettler, this workshop follows a progression of creative problem solving to wake up our movement imaginations, tune into our physical selves, and connect with others in dance. No dance experience necessary.

Three accessibility workshops are coming up next week! Join us May 5, 7, and 8 to learn how to make Canvas @ Illinois courses and PDF documents more accessible for all students. Sessions cover Canvas accessibility tools, the Pope Tech Canvas Accessibility Guide, and PDF remediation using Acrobat Pro. Registration is required. See all three workshops and register.

Take a journey with Scott Elrick, ISGS Bedrock Geology, through the deep past as the Illinois landscape changed from an ancient ocean to emergent land, drifted across climate belts, and felt the near- and far-field effects of global plate tectonics. This seminar brings the state’s buried history to life using paleogeographic maps that reveal how the rocks and geologic resources of Illinois formed over hundreds of millions of years. Register HERE - the Zoom link is provided in the confirmation email to join virtually if you are unable to attend in person.

The Capstone is the culmination of every Sustainable Design major’s degree, and a demonstration of how students learn to apply creativity, systems thinking, and sustainability to solve real-world challenges. With a shared commitment to cultivating a better future, the diversity of Capstone projects reflects the truly individualized, interdisciplinary paths each student follows. Please join us in congratulating our graduating class on the completion of their BSSD Capstone Projects!

As the semester comes to a close, this relaxing and uplifting Coffee Across Cultures Hour invites participants to reflect on the simple joys and comforting practices that bring calm during busy or stressful times. Share the activities, routines, and traditions that help you feel grounded, and learn how others find moments of peace. The session offers practical coping strategies to help you cultivate peace, joy, and well‑being in your lives. Coffee, tea, and pastries will be provided. Free and open to all. Co-sponsored by Illinois International and The Counseling Center.

Celebrate as we open the 2026 Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition! Explore a wide range of art and design work created by 100+ BFA graduates in studio art, new media, art education, graphic design, and industrial design. Exhibition on view through May 16. The School of Art and Design will host a reception for artists and visitors in the Link Gallery. *Parking is free on weekends.*

Calling all students! Come rest up, study, and relax during this semester’s Reading Day! Good luck on finals! In collaboration with the College of Fine and Applied Arts and Ricker Library for Art and Architecture, Krannert Art Museum is proud to host FAA Finals Fest, a Reading Day program that includes a coffee bar, snacks, study space, and artmaking for students. Outlets and study tables will be provided in our galleries for students seeking a calm and inspiring place to study.

Take care of yourself before Finals start or create a Mother’s Day gift. Make a card, decorate a pot and plant your own plant, and pack a de-stress tea jar.

Immigrant Student Support in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights, and Community will be hosting a webinar focused on knowing your legal rights and university protocols for campus staff and faculty when interacting with civil immigration enforcement. Learn more about how the protocol works in different spaces and how campus will communicate if immigration enforcement activity occurs on campus. The webinar will be offered at 3 p.m. May 5 (Teams Registration) and again at 4 p.m. May 11 (Teams Registration).

Join us for a virtual info session to learn about the Master of Health Administration Online! This program is designed for working professionals with 3–5 years of experience who are ready to advance into health care leadership roles. Explore our flexible 100% online, asynchronous format, 8-week courses, and affordable tuition under $30,000. If you or someone you know is looking to grow in health care management, we invite you to attend or share this opportunity! Register on the MHA Program Events Calendar!

Join us for the Master of Public Health Online Info Session at 5 p.m. May 7, via Zoom! Learn how the Illinois MPH supports students across backgrounds and career stages. Explore the online program, degree options (epidemiology, health behavior and promotion, physical activity and health), hands-on learning, networking opportunities, career outcomes, and admissions guidance — everything you need to take the next step in public health.

Panel sponsored by U. of I. chapter, American Association of University Professors. Kate Clancy, anthropology professor and co-president of the Campus Faculty Association, discusses how developments around Title VI are challenging academic freedom. Drawing on Title IX and sexual harassment in higher ed expertise, she examines how antidiscrimination enforcement, which can promote inclusive climates, is being weaponized to suppress academic freedom, especially around politically controversial topics. Robin Kar, law/philosophy professor and president, U. of I. AAUP, will respond. Q&A to follow.

The Master of Science in Strategic Brand Communication program will host a virtual information session for prospective students from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, via Zoom. The session will provide an overview of the program, including curriculum, format, and career outcomes, and will include time for questions. Faculty and staff are encouraged to share this opportunity with prospective students who may be interested. Registration is available at: https://choose.illinois.edu/register/May132026. For additional information, please contact Brooke Bear.

Researchers in the U. of I. Informatics Department are conducting a study to understand how people use AI systems when making health-related decisions. Participants will: complete a short background survey, review several hypothetical health scenarios, and describe their thinking while making decisions about the scenarios during an interview. Study Duration/Compensation: Phase 1 of the study takes 15-20 minutes. Phase 2 of the study takes 60 minutes to complete. Compensation: $25 for completing both phases. If you would like to participate, contact researcher: Angela Fike, afike2@illinois.edu.

This study is to understand and explore ways to design health information with older adults. The study procedures include reading health texts, completing surveys, and interacting with researchers to design health information. Adults older than 60 years old are welcome! The study will take two hours in the iSchool building (614 E. Daniel St.) with a compensation of $35 in cash (parking fee included). Thank you very much.

The PLAY Lab is looking for children finishing preschool or kindergarten to participate in a year-long study. Participation involves attending five laboratory sessions over one year and completing some motor and cognitive tasks while various brain responses are recorded. Up to $100 in compensation. PLAY LAB-Department of Health and Kinesiology, Freer Hall | play-lab@illinois.edu; INTEREST FORM LINK!

The Human Factors and Aging Laboratory is conducting a survey to understand how older workers (ages 50+) with longterm disabilities think about their role at work. If you are currently working or volunteering 20+ hours per week, your thoughts and experiences can help us learn more about this topic. This survey takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you will have the option to enter your email to be entered into a raffle for a $25 Amazon e-gift card (10% of participants who provide their email will receive a gift card). Click here to be directed to the DAWN-IS IRB25-0118.

Help University Laboratory high school students learn through research. Do you have a child age 6 weeks to 5 years old? Are you interested in helping high school students learn the research process? If yes, please take our short survey. Uni High students are learning about: data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This is not a formal research study, rather classroom learning. Expect the survey to take less than 15 minutes. If you would like to receive a summary of the Uni High students' analysis, you may submit an email. Deadline: May 6.

The Nutrition and Exercise Performance Research Group is recruiting recreationally active adults (19–40 years old) to participate in a 2-day study examining how food combinations affect muscle protein synthesis and whole-body protein utilization. Participation includes four free meals, resistance exercise, muscle biopsies, and blood, breath, and urine sampling across two lab visits. Participants who complete the study will receive $300 and information on body composition and caloric needs. Interested individuals may contact Calvin at (cw148@illinois.edu) to learn more and see if you qualify!

The Nutrition and Exercise Performance Research Group is looking for participants to partake in a 2-day study to establish the utility of the indicator amino acid oxidation method in adults. Participation in this study involves 2-day habituation lead in with all meals provided, muscle biopsies, and blood, breath, and urine sampling during two all-day trials. Upon completion, you will receive $150 and information about your body composition and caloric needs. Contact Gena (NEPRESEARCH@illinois.edu) for more information! Male participants are strongly encouraged!

Are you interested in a study involving research that will lead to advances in screening for depression and anxiety? We seek participants who currently have depression and/or anxiety to participate in a study that will involve completing some electronic surveys and doing a recorded interview on Zoom. This study has been approved by the Peoria IRB (#1776905).