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 As the perfect political storm brews over the nomination to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court, NIU's Artemus Ward says it's a prime example of why provisions for retirement from the nation's most powerful court need to be reformed.
“There's surprisingly little discussion about the reasons for and timing of retirement decisions,” says Ward, a professor of political science and expert on the nation's high court. Ward's 2003 book, “Deciding to Leave: The Politics of Retirement From the United States Supreme Court,” provided the first systematic look at the process by which justices decide to leave the bench. Most other democratic nations have fixed terms or mandatory retirement ages for high court justices, but U.S. federal judges – including Supreme Court justices – receive life tenures. Historically, Supreme Court justices served until they died. In the 1950s, when Congress expanded retirement benefits for federal judges, the option became more attractive and utilized. As an unintended consequence, the timing of departures has become an increasingly partisan process, Ward says. FULL STORY
  Big league. Major market. A 50,000-watt signal in 38 states and four Canadian provinces. Radio coverage of NIU football and men's basketball just went up, up and away.
NIU Intercollegiate Athletics and WSCR-AM, known nationally as “670 The Score Chicago Sports Radio,” have entered an exclusive four-year agreement. The Chicago-based clear channel sports talk outlet will carry all Huskie Sports Radio Network football broadcasts and 20 men's basketball games annually through 2008-09.
The joint announcement was made Thursday, July 14, by NIU Director of Athletics Jim Phillips and WSCR-AM Vice President-General Manager Paul Agase at a special luncheon held at Harry Caray's restaurant in downtown Chicago.
“This certainly is a monumental moment for all Huskies and our institution to be associated with ‘The Score,'” Phillips said. “For us, this is unchartered territory. The increased visibility and exposure for our athletic program and our university in the nation's No. 3 market with eight million people is immeasurable. Northern Illinois is thrilled to be in this partnership with WSCR.”
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 DeKalb County history buff Henry Leonard came to Lucy Townsend, curator of NIU's Blackwell Museum , with a question: “Can you help us?”
Leonard, a retired NIU math professor, was president of the DeKalb County Historical-Genealogical Society at that time. Townsend, curator of NIU's Blackwell Museum said “yes” to Leonard, a retired NIU math professor and then-president of the DeKalb County Historical-Genealogical Society at that time, joining a mission to create and publish 1,500 copies of a book chronicling the county's rich heritage of one-room schoolhouses. All are working to raise $30,000 to cover printing costs for “Rural School Journeys: A Legacy of Learning” that will feature around 250 pages and more than 200 photographs and anecdotes from former students. FULL STORY
 NIU's School of Theatre and Dance has announced its 2005-06 production season.
All events take place within the three theater spaces in the Stevens Building, which houses the 450-seat O'Connell Theatre, the “black box” Players Theatre with flexible seating up to 180, and the Studio Series-only Corner Theatre, which seats 145. Mainstage productions of the Subscription Series are performed in the O'Connell Theatre and the Players Theatre. The two series offer a wide variety of production styles and settings, and include several matinees planned for students from elementary school through high school.
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The State of Illinois mileage reimbursement rate for the use of personal vehicles on official NIU business has been increased from 37.5 cents per mile to 40.5 cents per mile. This applies to travel that takes place on or after July 1, 2005.
The NIU travel voucher form has been updated to reflect this change. For more information, call (815) 753-1514.
Founders Memorial Library's current lobby exhibition, "Behind the Scenes in the Library: The Cataloging Department," is on display through Aug. 31.
For more information, call (815) 753-9863.
The NIU Art Museum, which returned to Altgeld Hall when it reopened last fall, will reinstate its popular “Art to Lend” program and exhibition.
NIU employees can view available artworks from the museum's permanent collection that can be rented for display in university offices. Visit the Altgeld Gallery, on the west end of the first floor, through Thursday, July 28, to view and make selections from the works on exhibit. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment.
As in previous years, works will be assigned by lottery based on preferred selections. The lottery is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, July 28, in the North and Rotunda galleries of Altgeld Hall.
Works on paper currently on loan to borrowers, and those that have been out for more than the maximum five years, will need to be retrieved by the museum for conservations purposes. Museum staff will contact current borrowers regarding their return. To cause less disruption to offices, a single de-installation of current holdings and installation of new selections can be arranged.
All funds generated from this program are used for the direct care and maintenance of the collection, including matting and framing, which makes new selections available. Fees have risen over the years, but both the initial installation fee and the yearly rental fee cover only part of the museum's incurred costs.
Delivery and installation for signed contracts will begin the week of Aug. 1. Those not at the drawing, or without completed contracts, will be notified by phone Aug. 1 or Aug. 2. A contract/invoice then will be sent.
For more information, or a copy of the “Art to Lend” policy, call (815) 753-1936.
The Division of Public Administration's MPA alumni and friends will host the eighth annual golf play day Thursday, Aug. 11, at Bloomingdale Golf Course, 181 Glen Ellyn Road in Bloomingdale.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Lunch is served on the course. The reception is scheduled for 4 p.m., with a dinner and auction beginning at 5 p.m.
All event proceeds benefit NIU's MPA program.
Packages include the “ Mentor for a Day Foursome,” available for $550. Three participants will become “Mentors for a Day” as they enjoy golf, all meals and receive one hole sponsorship while showing support to a current MPA student at NIU. These groups also are recognized in the event program and dinner.
Other packages are available for foursomes ($575) and twosomes ($325) – with all meals, hole sponsorship and program and dinner recognition – as well as for individuals ($125 per person), golf/lunch only ($100 per person) and dinner/auction only ($40 per person).
The deadline for registration is Monday, Aug. 1. Reservations received after Aug. 1 are assessed a $25-per-person surcharge.
For more information, call (815) 753-6142.
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