Northern Illinois University

School of Family, Consumer & Nutrition Sciences

Student Advancement Committee (SAC)

The Student Advancement Committee (SAC) was created to serve as an outlet for student concerns, and to provide unity for student to student and student to faculty relationships within the school of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences. The mission of the Student Advancement Committee to the FCNS school is to foster a good working relationship between the faculty and the students. Our goal is to thereby enhance the educational experience.

In order to obtain this goal, our responsibilities are to:

Identify issues of significance to the students and bring to the attention of  the FCNS chair and faculty

By holding meetings with representatives of each major and organization within FCNS, each group within the department has representation in the meetings, thereby increasing the opportunities to make a difference within your field of study. Participating majors include: (Undergraduate) Child Development; Early Childhood Studies; Family and Individual Development; Family Social Services; Hospitality Administration; Nutrition and Dietetics; Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising; (Graduate) Applied Family and Child Studies; Marriage and Family Therapy; Nutrition and Dietetics.

Participating organizations include: Student Dietetic Association; Northern Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children; Fashion Industries Organization; Kappa Omicron Nu.

Recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching

Each year the students of NIU nominate the best undergraduate teacher. SAC conducts the balloting for the “Undergraduate Teaching Award” presented in the Fall. The purpose of the award is to:

  1. Honor excellent undergraduate teaching in the university.
  2. Encourage improvement of instruction.
  3. Promote discussion among members of the university community on the subject of teaching.

Identify students to serve on school, college, and university committees

Students become the voice of their own concerns.

Serve as ambassadors for the school

Our newsletters, bulletin boards, mentoring programs and special functions allow SAC to help FCNS students not only become familiar with our organization, but with all programs FCNS offers, and we give you excellent networking opportunities, all in turn, sending you off with information about NIU, FCNS, and much more.

Coordinate activities that benefit FCNS students and organizations

SAC hosts get-to-know-you functions that give students and faculty the opportunities to interact with one another outside of the classroom setting.

During the holiday season, SAC participates in Toys for Tots, coordinating the charity participation through FCNS, making it easy for students and professors in the department to give something back.

SAC also hosts the end-of-the-year Achievers Award Reception, which honors students and professors for their achievements throughout the year.

Facilitate resolution of student grievances

Your experience as an undergraduate or graduate student at NIU should be a fulfilling one. SAC can help make your experience at NIU even better by using your suggestions for improvement in the department, school, and within the university. Contact your majors' representative or organization's representative  who will listen to your concerns, and bring the issue up in committee meetings where your opinions/suggestions/comments will be heard.

Develop unity/identity among FCNS majors and premajors

Get to know more people who have the same interests as you by attending one of our functions and come to SAC meetings to meet students who are interested in the committee and its involvement in continuously improving the FCNS school.

Serve as a source of accurate information for FCNS majors and faculty

By attending SAC meetings and functions you'll be learning about the most up-to-date information within the department. Whether it's concerning classes, registration, even graduation information, SAC is a great organization to be involved in for the most current information in your area of study.

With SAC, you will serve as a source of accurate information to your fellow classmates and can contribute your information to the organization.