Coming events

The SIU women's softball team opens Missouri Valley Conference play with a three-game homestand against Northern Iowa this weekend at Charlotte West Stadium. The Salukis face the Panthers in a doubleheader that starts at noon, Saturday, March 15. The Salukis and Northern Iowa then play a single game to close out the series at noon, Sunday, March 16.

A Women's Safety Class, presented by SIUC's Department of Public Safety, is from 5 to 6 p.m., Monday, March 17, in the Student Recreation Center's Martial Arts Room. The class, exclusively for women, offers personal defense instruction, including physical and non-physical options, along with a glimpse into the attacker mindset. For additional information, contact Sonia Garrett at sonjka@siu.edu. Admission is free. The event is part of Women's History Month.

Tours of Morris Library's newly renovated third through fifth floors are showcased during an open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 18. Tours will be offered every hour, on the hour from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. A special ceremony at 2 p.m. will feature brief remarks from University officials including David H. Carlson, dean of Library Affairs. Refreshments for the event are coming from SIUC's Hospitality and Tourism Administration program, within the animal science, food and nutrition department. Admission is free.

The SIU men's baseball team hosts Murray State at 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at Abe Martin Field. Admission is free.

The SIU women's softball team hosts Southeast Missouri State at 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at Charlotte West Stadium.

"Empowerment through the Arts: Uppity Women Sing the Blues," is presented at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at the SIUC Faculty House, 1000 S. Elizabeth St., Carbondale. The event features a presentation by ethnomusicologist and blues performer Maria Johnson. Admission is free. The event is part of Women's History Month.

A film and discussion about alcohol and binge drinking among women on campus is set for 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, in the Student Center's Ohio Room. "Women and Alcohol," looks at the rise and impact of alcohol consumption by women. Admission is free. The event is part of Women's History Month.

A Carnegie Hall preview concert by SIUC's School of Music's Wind Ensemble, under the direction of conductor and assistant professor Christopher L. Morehouse, is set for 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, at Shryock Auditorium. Admission is free. The ensemble makes its Carnegie Hall debut at 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, in the Issac Stern Auditorium on the Ronald O. Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. The event is part of the New York Band and Orchestra Festival.

Please check the SIUC Public Events Calendar for information on these and many other happenings on campus.