Budget news worsens, Peters tells campus

The latest in a series of all-campus emails from NIU President John Peters outlines a worsening budget picture for state universities.

Peters is in Chicago today testifiying before the Illinois Board of Higher Education on the effects of a $8.6 million rescission in the current (FY03) budget. That proposed cut -- coming three-quarters of the way through the current fiscal year -- is looking more likely, and does not bode well for FY04, Peters said.

-- PRESIDENT'S E-MAIL UPDATE

NIU and Argonne National Laboratory formally have agreed to collaborate on basic research in nanotechnology, an emerging field that many scientists believe will spur the next technological revolution.

Nanotechnology aims to develop materials, electronics and machines at the smallest of scales, with dimensions of 10 to 1,000 atoms in length. The ability to create nanometer-scale building blocks with precisely controlled size and composition and to reassemble them into larger structures and mechanisms could revolutionize numerous industries, from computing to medicine to manufacturing.

-- FULL STORY

As the newly elected chairman of the Mid-American Conference Council of Presidents, NIU President John Peters has set his sights on raising the profile of the MAC.

"I want to increase the visibility of the MAC conference in the Chicagoland area," Peters said. "It's an exciting, competitive conference that draws many of its star players from the Chicagoland area, so I think the interest is already there."

-- FULL STORY

Earl "Gip" Seaver believes there is a whole lot more to enrollment management than just getting students to campus.

"Enrollment management means not only attracting students to NIU, but also retaining them, ensuring the quality of their education and making sure that they get proper guidance along the way," Seaver said. "Once we get them here we want to make sure they have a great experience. We need to make sure that undergraduate students have a good understanding of all the possibilities open to them here at NIU."

That attitude helped him stand out from a field of 32 candidates who applied for the position of vice provost at NIU. Provost Ivan Legg announced Seaver's selection for the post last week.

-- FULL STORY

NIU psychology professor Laura Pittman is part of a team of researchers whose study of the U.S. welfare-to-work initiative is attracting national attention.

The longitudinal study of low-income families in Chicago, Boston and San Antonio found that major fears surrounding the welfare overhaul in the mid-1990s generally have not come to pass. On average, preschoolers whose mothers left welfare for work did just as well in math, reading and behavior as children whose mothers remained on welfare.

-- FULL STORY

Thirty-three NIU undergraduates have won grants totaling $50,000 to conduct independent research projects.

The USOAR grant program - short for Undergraduate Special Opportunities in Artistry and Research - is funded through NIU's exclusive contract with Pepsi. The USOAR program allows students to apply for funding of research and artistry projects, often involving trips to other states or overseas. This year's recipients will travel to such far-off lands as Spain, England, Ireland, Sicily, Cuba and Russia.

-- FULL STORY

Sylvia Fuentes, director of the NIU Office of University Resources for Latinos, welcomed nearly 600 Latino high school students Tuesday, March 11, as they visited campus for the Seras Youth Leadership Group's 3rd Annual Conference.

-- VIEW PICTURES

The Northern Illinois University student organization Native Americans Together Insuring Our Nations' Sovereignty (NATIONS) will host "All My Relatives," a conference on Native American history, values and issues, from Friday, March 28, to Sunday, March 30, in the Holmes Student Center.

The conference seeks to raise awareness of Native American beliefs and culture, with a special emphasis on improving how those topics are handled in the classroom - from grade school through graduate school.

-- FULL STORY

The NIU Center for Latino and Latin American Studies and the Latino Law Students Association are co-sponsoring a panel discussion on "Latinos and the Law: Immigration Law, Amnesty, and Access to Public Education." The event is scheduled for noon Wednesday, March l9, in the Swen Parson Hall Moot Court Room (Room 170).

-- FULL STORY

Ophira Edut, a publishing entrepreneur and well-known writer on women's issues, will visit NIU this month to deliver a free public lecture followed by a book signing. Edut's lecture on the topic of body image - titled "Adios, Barbie: Loving Yourself Through Thick and Thin" - will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, March 24, in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium of the Holmes Student Center.

The author will discuss why body image is a multicultural women's health issue, sharing excerpts from her book, "Body Outlaws: Young Women Write About Body Image & Identity."

-- FULL STORY

The NIU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry invites the public to celebrate the arrival of spring with an evening of chemical demonstrations. On Thursday, March 20, the department will host an evening of chemistry demonstrations beginning at 8 p.m. in Faraday Hall 143. The theme of the demonstrations this semester is "Mission: Chemistry."

"We're combining the whimsical with the utterly practical this time around," said Michael Spires, coordinator for recruitment and public relations in the department.

-- FULL STORY

Certain NIU public officers, employees
asked for annual disclosure of economic interests
The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requires certain public officers and employees of Northern Illinois University to file a Statement of Economic Interests by May 1 of each year. P.A. 90-737 requires these disclosures be submitted to the University Ethics Officer for review before they are filed with the Secretary of State. --MORE

Group discussions scheduled on Asian,
Asian-American issues
Group discussions focusing on Asian and Asian-American issues are scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays in March in Room 110 of the Campus Life Building. The discussions are open to all students, faculty and staff. Bring a brown bag lunch. The discussions are sponsored by Asian American Resources and the Pan Asian Interest Student Association. For more information, call Lynette Rapcan or Michelle Bringas at 753-1421.

First-Year Connections program
needs instructors, mentors
Instructors and mentors are needed for the First-Year Connections program. This is a rewarding opportunity to help new students and stay current on student development, learning and retention issues. Get more information at our all-day open houses Wednesday, March 19, or Tuesday, April 8, in the Orientation Office (Campus Life Building120). For more information, call Chris Kubic at 753-1933 or e-mail firstconn@niu.edu.

NIU College of Law hosts
forum on Affirmative Action
The NIU College of Law will hold a panel discussion on affirmative action at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20, in Swen Parson 170. Elvia Arriola, an associate professor of law, will moderate the panel, which will include law professors Mark Cordes, Larry Schlam and John Walton. Also sitting on the panel is LeRoy Pernell, dean of the College of Law.

The panelists will discuss the case of Grutter v. Bollinger, which is pending before the Supreme Court. The case calls into question the constitutionality of affirmative action policies, alleging that the application of those policies at the University of Michigan Law School amounts to a quota system that unfairly rewards or penalizes prospective students based solely on their race. The administration of President George Bush has filed a brief in support of that position.

Panelists will discuss the positions of the parties involved in the case and compare and contrast it to a similar challenge 25 years ago. Panelists also will explore the question of whether diversity is a compelling governmental interest and whether affirmative action is a valid method of achieving the goal of diversity. --MORE

NIU’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser
set to benefit Hope Haven shelter
The fifth annual “Empty Bowls” project is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 21, in the Chandelier Room of Adams Hall. Reservations are required for the lunch-time seating; the dinner-time serving is first-come, first-served. A donation of $15 buys all-you-can-eat homemade soup and bread, a beverage and, while supplies last, a ceramic bowl made by an NIU art student. A donation of $5 buys food and drink only. Additional donations are welcome. All proceeds benefit the Hope Haven homeless shelter in DeKalb.The menu includes broccoli-cheese soup, tortilla soup with chicken and lime and minestrone soup. Guests also can munch on yeast rolls and a variety of breads donated by the NIU bakery. Beverages include coffee and iced tea. For reservations or more information, call (815) 753-1895 or visit chandelierdining.hhsweb.com/reservations online.

Parking will be available for both seatings for $2 in the visitor’s lot just southwest of the Holmes Student Center. Drivers must tell the attendant they are attending Empty Bowls to receive the reduced rate.

Unity in Diversity Steering Committee
accepting poster contest submissions
The Unity in Diversity Steering Committee each year selects a poster that represents the current UID theme ("Unity in Diversity: Explore, Create, Appreciate!").The winning entry will win $100 (possibly subject to taxes) and will be used during the next academic year to promote diversity awareness on campus.

The poster will be professionally printed and distributed throughout campus, and also will be framed and mounted as part of the permanent UID poster collection display in Holmes Student Center.There are also prizes of $75 for second place and $50 for third place, both possibly subject to taxes.

The poster contest winners will be recognized at the Unity in Diversity Award Ceremony from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, in the Chandelier Room of Adams Hall. Entry forms that include specific criteria and guidelines are available in the Office of Programming & Activities, Campus Life Building 150. The contest is open to NIU students, faculty and staff. Entrants may submit more than one entry, but only can win one prize. Entries will be judged by the UID Steering Committee.

Submission deadline is 4:30 pm, Friday, March 21. Send submissions to Programming and Activities, Campus Life Building 150, ATTN: UID Steering Committee.

Celebrated actress to present ‘Hyphenated Woman’ at NIU
Jasmine Guy, the celebrated actress, dancer, singer, producer and director, will present “The Hyphenated Woman” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium in the Holmes Student Center. Guy’s speech is the sixth event in the Campus Activities Board Speakers Series. It is free and open to all.

A consummate performer, Guy is best known for her performance as Whitley Gilbert on the popular television show “A Different World.” Even after adding the roles of wife and mother to her credits, this self-described “hyphenated woman” has managed to maintain her status as a leading lady both professionally and personally. Drawing on the trials she faced establishing herself as an actor, she discusses the motivational role that obstacles played in her life and discusses dealing with and overcoming rejection.

For more information, call 753-1580, visit the CAB offices in Campus Life Building Room 160 or go online at www.niu.edu/cab.

NIU School of Art presents speaker
on Middle Ages books about animals
The NIU School of Art is pleased to announce the next lecture in the 2002-2003 Elizabeth Allen Visiting Speaker Series. Christopher de Hamel will speak on "Why An Elephant Can't Bend its Knees: Medieval Bestiaries and their Purpose" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, in Room 100 of Jack Arends Hall (Art Building) on the NIU campus in DeKalb. --MORE

Black women’s health symposium scheduled
S.I.S.T.E.R.S., Health Enhancement Services and Sigma Gamma Rho sorority are sponsoring a black women’s health symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 29, in the Multipurpose Room at Stevenson Towers. The theme is "Empowering You, Empowering Me ... Recognizing Our Connection." This symposium is an opportunity for women to learn more and connect with their mind, body, and spirit. Women will have the opportunity to learn more about cancer, depression, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, the importance of medical exams, sickle cell, heart disease, abuse and other issues pertaining to women of color, as well as the importance of taking time for self. --MORE

NIU Art Gallery in Chicago presents
‘Lewis deSoto: Paranirvana (self-portrait)’
The NIU Art Gallery in Chicago is pleased to announce “Lewis deSoto: Paranirvana (self-portrait),” an exhibition that will run April 4 through May 24 with a public reception for the artist from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4. The artist also will present a gallery talk at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5. In deSoto’s breathtaking 26-foot-long air-inflated installation, religion, biography and technology combine to raise profound questions about life, death and spirituality. “Paranirvana” will be inflated daily at noon and deflated at 4:30 p.m. each day of the exhibition. --MORE

Clothing drive, related luncheon,
scheduled for April 9
Northern Illinois University’s Presidential Commission on the Status of Women and Kishwaukee College’s Employment Resources Center will conduct a suit drive Wednesday, April 9. Donations of new or “gently worn” women’s suits and dresses, as well as accessories such as bags, shoes, and new, packaged hosiery are being sought. --MORE

Faculty Development issues call
for proposals for faculty, SPS grants
The Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center is offering grants of up to $2,500 each annually to regular continuing faculty (tenured and tenure track). The purpose of the grants is to encourage and support faculty development activities that directly benefit the applicants' departments, colleges and/or the university. Equal matching funds from the applicants' academic units or appropriate external sources is required. --MORE