January 27, 2026
Newsletter link: https://mailchi.mp/a420a292531e/spring-into-honors
Happy New Year and Welcome Back to the Grind
I am so happy to be back and to see students again. This place gets awfully dreary without you folks to light up the days. Dreary, and yet the work never slows. January has come and nearly gone, and we've got so many things to tell you!
First of course, is "Welcome Back!" Second is that you've had some time to get into the thick of things, and it's a great time to remember that it doesn't have to be full steam ahead all the time. We've got the usual suspects: Learning Lounges, Gaggle, and De-Stress, but we're adding a new thing with some stretching sessions. (Surprisingly beneficial)
Additionally, we've got some news regarding service hours. Many of you have had questions, so hopefully this will help.
Blackboard and Communication
Most importantly: We've got a new blackboard community. Search for JMHP in your organizations. This is going to be where we put all the info that was previously on the website. So:
- Advising announcements
- Hold release instructions
- Course descriptions for next semester
- And more!
No more digging for the email to find the link to the page to the thing with the name that you can't remember. One place. All there.
And without further ado, our super short first Spring semester newsletter begins!
~V
This Week in Honors
Living the Suite Life™:
Learning Lounges - co-study, parallel study, study and request help, study get stickers. It's whatever you need.
Gaggle - Social, support, whether it's serious or light, we're here. With stickers.
De-Stress Thursday is TBD, but there will be... stickers!
Okay, so you might have noticed all the stickers. Out of the goodness of her heart, V has bought a zillion stickers to give away for no good reason.
Advising Announcements
Advising has started! Things to note:
- We're changing how you show up for your appointment and walk-ins. From now on, DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR ADVISOR'S OFFICE. Check in at the front desk, and have a seat in our glorious new reception area.
- Juniors and Seniors, upper level advising is only available through walk-ins or advising pop-ups.
Service Announcements
- Ever since we moved to the new system, our well-oiled service hours machine has had some... hiccups. Updates will be posted almost daily here until we get the flow moving to our satisfaction.
- Reminder: Service Hours should still be reported through Suitable for all honors students.
- Go to the Suitable app or website.
- Tap the three-lines icon, bottom right or at the website, check the left-side menu for "Forms"
- Go to "Forms"
- Look for the service hours form, and select.
- Follow the directions to submit.
- Once a month, we offer a chance to earn suitable points by submitting service hours through the "Activities" section. It's titled "[Month] Service Hours" and it will take you to the same form you use for regular service submissions, just by way of a points activity. You will not need to resubmit for service credit. For questions, please contact vhovers@siue.edu.
Health Hacks: Stretch and Reach for better health!
Stretching offers a wide range of benefits beyond maintaining muscle flexibility, including reducing stress, improving circulation, and supporting joint health. Honors students are invited to join a guided stretching session at the Vadalabene Center designed to release tension, increase blood flow, and promote overall well-being. Motion is lotion for the joints! No prior stretching experience is required—whether you stretch regularly or are completely new to it, all are welcome. This mindful, low-impact session will last approximately 25–30 minutes and will hopefully help you feel refreshed and mentally clear as you head into the weekend.
This week's stretch sessions are Friday, January 30th at 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm in Vadalabene Center: Group Activity Room 1
- Study Abroad Info Session, Wednesday, February 4, 3-5pm in the Martinson Honors Suite. Learn about your opportunity to visit London, Peru, and more!
