To the University Community:

As some of you may be aware, student-leaders from Southern Illinois University Carbondale have helped to spawn a Southern Illinois region-wide campaign called the Beautify Southern Illinois Campaign. This campaign, spearheaded by former Board of Trustees Chairman Glenn Poshard with the assistance of SIUC Center for Environmental Health & Safety Director Paul Restivo and SIUC students began in February 2005 with the lofty goal of re-establishing Southern Illinois as the most beautiful part of the state and to keep it that way. Litter and neglect have defiled our naturally beautiful Southern Illinois region and this has negatively affected our region's economic future as well as quality of life, and in my opinion also negatively affects campus visitors, whether prospective faculty or staff, students or their parents, tourists, or corporate executives.

One of the prime missions of our university as outlined in Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment states:

"We must lead by example in our services to others, embrace the value of service, and inspire our students to become citizen-leaders with global perspectives."

I believe we have a tremendous opportunity to put our mission into positive action as part of the Beautify Southern Illinois Campaign. I encourage faculty, staff and students, and the clubs and organizations that you belong to consider adopting a stretch of highway or a neighborhood street for the purpose of beautifying our region. On Saturday, Sept. 10, the campaign is conducting a "Sign-Up To-Clean-Up" event in 17 Southern Illinois counties. A campaign flier showing the locations is in this Spotlight edition in Fliers Row. In addition, students who volunteer for the Saluki Volunteer Corps' Day of Service event on Sept. 10 will also be provided information on how to adopt an area.

I am also pleased to note that several faculty members have expressed plans to incorporate service-learning components to academic classes during the fall '05 and spring '06 semesters that will directly relate to the mission of this beautification campaign. Such efforts can help provide outstanding educational experiences with a real-world impact for our students and offers us a great opportunity to have a positive impact on our region and the state. Thank you for your hard work, your commitment to Southern and your selfless service to our region.

Sincerely,

Walter V. Wendler

Chancellor