Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018

The offices of Educational Outreach, ACCESS, and Information Technology Services are collaborating to bring Blackboard Ally to your Blackboard courses this fall.  

Blackboard Ally is a product that provides students with alternate formats for uploaded PDF, Word, PowerPoint and HTML content. For example, it can convert a text document to an audio file. It also assists faculty in making content more accessible by pointing out where formatting can be improved or providing alternative file types. 

By now, you may have noticed new indicator icons in your courses that will show how your content measures up to web accessibility standards.  If you click on these icons, Blackboard Ally will guide you through steps for improving content. Although it might seem overwhelming at first, starting with low-effort tasks like adding alternative text to images is a good way to begin tackling the larger goal of creating accessible course content. Since accessibility is a key factor in student success, we hope that faculty devote the time to design courses with all students in mind.  

Please take the time to review this overview of the Blackboard Ally tool and how it will function in your course. You can also refer to this quick start guide. 

If you would like additional training, please register for one of the training sessions, or contact us at idlt_center@siue.edu.  

Register now for The Mississippi Project Workshop VIII: The Value of the Humanities in Teaching and Learning about Sustainability.

9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 15
SIUE Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (The Fuller Dome)

The workshop is free to educators in the region, and will be co-facilitated by Connie Frey Spurlock and Lisa Martino-Taylor. Register at cfrey@siue.edu.

These resource experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the workshop. SIUE's Shelly Goebl-Parker will help participants think about how art can be incorporated into the sustainability curriculum.

SIUE Distinguished Research Professor Greg Fields will share connections between indigenous knowledge and sustainability.

The Mississippi Project at SIUE is one of 13 AASHE recognized Centers for Sustainbility Across the Curriculum. The workshop is in its 8th year, and has been hosted by SIUE, Saint Louis University and Harris Stowe State University.

We are looking for faculty and full-time staff volunteers to assist with Move-In Day for first-year students on Thursday, Aug. 16.

Volunteers help welcome first-year students and their families to SIUE, and direct traffic at the entrance to Lot B and each of the first-year residence halls (Bluff, Prairie and Woodland).

If you would like to volunteer for this amazing process and show your SIUE pride while welcoming new students, please sign up at the following link, signupgenius.com/go/20f084da4a628a0f94-volunteers

Directions on your role and more information will be sent out by Monday, Aug. 13. Please email Rex Jackson at rjackso@siue.edu with any questions about this opportunity.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

* Returning students move into Evergreen Hall and Cougar Village on Saturday, Aug. 18.

The SIUE Suzuki Program will host an informational meeting for prospective new students and families:

7-8 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22
Dunham Hall, Room 1109

All are welcome and no commitment is required at the meeting!

Please email suzukiprogram@siue.edu with questions.

Please mark your calendars and join us for the Inaugural Fall Welcome Reception: 

4 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 29
Morris University Center, Meridian Ballroom 

This year we are extending an invitation to current and incoming SIUE black faculty, staff and students.