The NIU Libraries has posted hours for Finals Week and the winter break.
Extended Hours for Finals
Through Thursday, Dec. 13: 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 14: 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Interim Session (Sunday, Dec. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 13)
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 1 to 5 p.m.
Winter Break Hours (Saturday, Dec. 22, through Wednesday, Jan. 2)
Friday, Jan. 28, and Monday, Dec. 31: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 1 to 5 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 24, through Thursday, Dec. 27: CLOSED
Tuesday, Jan. 1: CLOSED
Wednesday, Jan. 2: Interim session hours resume.
NIU’s Civic Leadership Academy offers this “guided tour” of the practical techniques and fundamental principles of the strategic planning process from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. The workshop focuses on developing skills and understanding the power of analyzing current organizational situations, laying out long- and short-range objectives, developing implementation plans and building an effective follow-up policy decision framework for an organizational strategic plan.
Topics will include environmental scanning, problem identification, SWOT analyses, strategy formulation, implementation planning and various sub-elements of the process such as the construction of scenarios.
Registration and more information about the CLA and its upcoming workshop are available online.
Starting Jan. 1, the NIU Libraries will begin sending patron’s library notices (overdue, recall, item availability) to official NIU e-mail accounts. Contact the Library Circulation Desk at (815) 753-9844 with questions.
Media Services will offer training on the use of the audiovisual equipment in Provost-sponsored
SMART classrooms.
A new hardware keypad for equipment control is being added over winter break. Instructors either can continue using the podium control icon on the computer desktop or press buttons on the hardware keypad.
Both new and returning instructors should benefit from these brief seminars:
These seminars are open-ended and run continually. A complete demonstration with hands-on practice could take 30 minutes.
If you cannot attend one of the above sessions, call a SMART classroom trainer to arrange a more convenient time. Please note that it is difficult to schedule a weekday training session once the semester begins because these rooms are in almost constant use.
The computer monitors in all 106 Provost-sponsored general purpose SMART classrooms throughout campus have been replaced with SMART interactive monitors. These touch screens can activate software by using a stylus instead of a computer mouse. The stylus also can be used to annotate and highlight over anything displayed on the computer monitor in a variety of ways.
Media Services will offer an introductory training on the use of these interactive displays from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, in Cole Hall 101. SMART Technologies representatives will demonstrate the hardware and introduce the accompanying software.
NIU will host the Northern Illinois Bridal Expo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, at the Holmes Student Center Duke Ellington Ballroom. The expo will feature more than 40 exhibitors, a groom’s room, a bridal fashion show and taste testing. Admission is free and includes a complimentary buffet. Parking is available at the visitors’ lot on Carroll Avenue, just south of the Student Center. For more information, visit www.niu.edu/hsc.
Here are the Top 5 reasons to travel to Costa Rica with the Alumni Association:
1) Have an adventure instead of scraping more snow off of your windshield.
Ever seen howler monkeys in the wild? Looked into the crater of a volcano? Flirted with a blue morpho butterfly? Bought a hand-painted oxcart? Relaxed in natural hot springs? Heard a three-wattled bellbird? While all these activities are impossible to do in Illinois, they can be part of your Costa Rican adventure.
2) There is something for everyone.
This weeklong excursion provides lots of variety, from nature hikes and beaches to shopping and museums. Travelers will see two volcanoes, waterfalls, cloud forests and hummingbird gardens. Despite its small size, Costa Rica has more biodiversity than the entire Midwest. If you have already visited Costa Rica, this itinerary allows you to discover something new and revisit old favorites.
3) Take time to smell the tropical flowers and admire the iguanas.
While the trip packs in lots of variety, it is designed to give you time to savor the experience as well. Rather than racing from one point to the next, the trip will focus on three major centers: San Jose and the Central Valley, Los Angeles reserve/Arenal Volcano and the Pacific Coast at Papagayo. Our final departure from Liberia gives us more time at the beach and less time in transit to the airport.
4) Your dollar still goes a long way in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica remains a very reasonably priced destination, especially because the dollar has retained a favorable exchange rate with the Costa Rican colón. As a result, travelers still can enjoy handcrafts shopping sprees without the guilt and avoid exorbitant prices for such little extras as a coffee or a soft drink.
5) Friendly people and a congenial atmosphere.
In terms of people, Costa Rica and NIU truly offer the best of both worlds. In addition to sharing the experience with your NIU alumni family, Costa Ricans are noted for their friendliness and hospitality. Another bonus to help make the trip run smoothly is a well-established tourism infrastructure and knowledgeable, well-trained guides who complete several years of study to be approved by the Ministry of Tourism.
More information about this alumni travel program is available online.
The David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library has announced its hours through Jan. 13.
The law library will extend its hours for reading period and final exams, ending Thursday, Dec. 20. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays.
The library is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21. The library is closed Saturday, Dec. 22, through Tuesday, Jan. 1.
Hours in the first part of January are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Regular hours resume Monday, Jan. 14.
Call (815) 753-0505 for more information.
The time has come to begin the nomination process for the 2008 awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching and instruction.
Nomination guidelines and forms are available online.
The Committee for the Improvement of Undergraduate Education is administering four different types of grants to support research in and projects for the improvement of instruction in undergraduate courses.
Multiple copies of the guidelines for these grants have been sent to each college and department office and are available online. Please use the current forms and not previous forms you might have retained.
All proposals must be submitted to the committee by Tuesday, Jan. 22. Projects must be accompanied by approval from the department chair and college dean.
All expenditures apart from salary must be made by June 1. Normally, salary associated with projects will be paid May 16 through June 15 regardless of when the work is actually completed.
In addition to holiday music heard throughout the season, Classical WNIU is pleased to offer the following specials:
9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17: Concordia College Christmas Concert
For 80 years, the small Lutheran Evangelical school out on the prairie, Concordia College, has had anything but a small vision when it comes to celebrating music. With a choir and orchestra of more than 400, the Concordia College Christmas concert attracts capacity crowds from all faiths to celebrate the season and the promise it holds. For this Christmas, listen to nationally-renowned conductor René Clausen as he leads the pure, youthful voices in a concert called “On Our Way Rejoicing,” a potpourri of familiar and traditional works intertwined with music that brings new sounds and meaning to the season.
9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18: Welcome Christmas!
The annual Christmas concert from VocalEssence, recognized internationally as one of America’s premier choral groups.
9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19: Chanticleer Christmas
A Chanticleer Christmas celebrates the mystery and wonder of Christmas with an elegant blend of traditional carols, medieval and Renaissance sacred works, and moving spirituals.
9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20: St. Olaf Christmas Festival
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is one of the oldest and most cherished celebrations of the holidays in the United States. Begun in 1912, the festival is a worship service of hymns, carols, choral works and orchestral selections that celebrate the birth of Christ. Featuring more than 550 student musicians, it takes place on the St. Olaf campus in Northfield, Minn.
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20: Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” Suite
Enjoy the entire ballet, performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Vladimir Ashkenazy.
9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21: Echoes of Christmas
Over the years, the Dale Warland Singers have provided magical performances for this season to listeners across the country. Drawing upon the archive of those live performances, Warland and host Brian Newhouse bring old and new treasures to listeners looking for Christmas inspiration.
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21: Handel’s “Messiah”
From the stunning solos, to the majestic and powerful effects in the Hallelujah Chorus, this performance steeped in tradition is guaranteed to set the Christmas mood.
8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22: Christmas Storytime
Sit back, pour the hot chocolate and let your inner child emerge this holiday season. Steve Blatt features a special program of enchanting music and beloved stories narrated by popular artists. Enduring classics accompanied by legendary orchestras will evoke memories of Christmas past, and set the stage for a blissful holiday. Highlights will include: “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” performed by the Boston Pops, John Williams conducting with actor/comedian Robin Williams narrating; Brother Heinrich’s “Christmas” by John Rutter, performed by the City of London Sinfonia & Cambridge Singers, John Rutter conducting and Brian Kay narrating; and Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra, David Zinman conducting and actor Kevin Kline narrating. Rebroadcast at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24.
9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 24: A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
From the chapel of King’s College in Cambridge, England, the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service (Biblical readings and music) as performed by the 30-voice King’s College Choir.
10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1: New Year’s Day from Vienna
Direct from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna, the most popular classical music concert in the world: the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Day concert. The conductor this year is Georges Prêtre.
Visit www.wniu.org for more information. WNIU is the classical music station of Northern Public Radio, the broadcast service of NIU.
89.5 WNIJ is pleased to offer the following seasonal specials in its program lineup:
6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16: J.R. Sullivan’s Home for the Holidays
Re-visit the first WNIJ Christmas special produced with Jim Sullivan and friends from 1994. Join us for an hour of holiday music and seasonal stories, presented by some of Rockford’s favorite performers, past and present.
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20: A Paul Winter Solstice Concert
From the cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, Paul Winter, one of the original world musicians, is back again with a unique exploration of the solstice tradition in cultures near and far. Hosted by John Schaefer.
1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23: J.R. Sullivan’s Hometown Holiday
Rockford native J.R. Sullivan returns home for his 14th annual holiday celebration, recorded live on stage in Rockford. This year’s show reunites the remarkable talents of Stephen Vrtol III, Linda Abronski, Shawn Wallace, Megon McDonough, Randy Sabien and, making her debut with the Hometown Holiday cast, Holland Zander.
6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23: Jonathan Winters’ “A Christmas Carol”
A public radio tradition hosted by NPR’s Lisa Simeone. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of Dickens’ holiday classic, with a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations.
10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24: Echoes Sonic Seasonings
This year’s Sonic Seasonings takes listeners through a winter landscape drawn from Norwegian fjords, Irish dales and Northeastern mountains and foothills. It’s not just carols, but original music evoking the season’s time-stopping silences and chilled landscapes. Host John Diliberto dusts the snow off his boots and pulls up a chair with the musicians, drawing out revealing tales and Christmas memories to enhance the intimate concert setting.
10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 25: An Echoes Christmas
Just when you thought you were sick of Christmas carols, find new ways of hearing some ancient sounds for the day with recent music by Andreas Vollenweider, Al Petteway and Amy White, Banshee in the Kitchen and more.
Noon Saturday, Dec. 29: The Capitol Steps New Year’s Edition of “Politics Takes a Holiday!”
The Capitol Steps’ annual awards ceremony roasts all of 2007 to a tasty crisp. Join Don Imus, Al Gore, the guy who had TB but still got on an airplane, Rudy Giuliani, Vladimir Putin, Hillary Clinton and many more as the Capitol Steps bring the year in review. You should look forward to 2008, but not before you make fun of 2007 first.
6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30: WNIJ’s 2007 Year-In-Review Special
The WNIJ Newsroom looks back at some of the significant local stories of 2007, including the summer floods, the closing of Cavel International in DeKalb and the resignation of U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert.
10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31: An Echoes Techno-Tribal New Year’s Stomp
Echoes kicks out the jams for a New Year’s Eve Techno-Tribal celebration, forming a seamless path into the new year, with music that dances in your head. John Diliberto matches beats and mixes atmospheres, riding the pulse of some of the newest ambient, lounge and techno-tribal music, creating the ultimate New Year’s Eve chill-out room.
Visit www.wnij.org for a complete program schedule, plus information on other news and events heard on 89.5 FM. WNIJ is the NPR News/Talk station of Northern Public Radio, the broadcast service of NIU.
NIU’s Presidential Commission on the Status of Women is accepting nominations for the 2008 NIU Outstanding Women Student Awards. This recognition process, begun in 1980 as the Women’s Student Leadership Awards, is intended to foster the development of leadership among women students, both graduate and undergraduate.
The nomination deadline is Monday, Dec. 17.
For details regarding eligibility, criteria and the nomination procedure, visit http://www.niu.edu/women/pcsw/osa.shtml or call (815) 753-0320.
To access the nomination form, visit http://www.niu.edu/women/pcsw/nonform.shtml.
NIU’s Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center will host the Spring 2008 Teaching Effectiveness Institute from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, in the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center.
The theme is “Promoting Active Learning Through Blended Courses.” Presenters are Alan Aycock, Amy Mangrich and Tanya Joosten, all from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Learning Technology Center. Aycock is associate director; Mangrich and Joosten are instructional design consultants.
A blended/hybrid course uses a blend of face-to-face as well as online teaching and learning activities. Successful teaching of blended courses requires rethinking and redesigning face-to-face courses, creating new learning activities and effective integration of online and face-to-face components.
This transformation requires learning new skills necessary to manage online interaction successfully, incorporating methods of assessment and effective use of the interactive and organizational tools found in Web course management systems.
The workshop is open only to NIU faculty and staff. Advanced registration is required and available online. The deadline to register is Friday, Dec. 21. Please contact the center if you do not receive a response or an e-mail confirmation of your registration within two working days.
Registered participants will receive workshop materials, lunch, refreshments and certificates of participation. Those who register and are unable to attend should inform the center by Monday, Jan. 7, so that those on the waiting list might have the opportunity to attend.
Call (815) 753-1085 for more information.
Students ages 18 and younger who want to pursue their study of the arts, but who cannot afford the full cost, are invited to apply for financial aid for the spring semester.
The NIU Community School of the Arts offers a wide variety of art, music and theater classes, including private music lessons and ensembles. The deadline for financial aid applications is Monday, Jan. 7.
All classes and lessons are taught on the NIU campus in DeKalb.
The NIU Community School of the Arts is sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Approximately 80 teachers offer lessons on most musical instruments as well as in art and theater. More than 600 community people from nearly 50 towns and cities travel to DeKalb each semester for lessons and classes.
Application forms are available at (815) 753-1450 or online at www.niu.edu/extprograms. The NIU Community School of the Arts is located in Room 132 of NIU’s Music Building.
The NIU Foundation, which looks forward to supporting faculty and staff in the pursuit of excellence in research, teaching, and outreach to the larger community, invites applications for the 2008 Venture Grants.
All proposals must be received in the Foundation Office (Altgeld 135) by Friday, Feb. 1, 2008. Awards will be announced no later than the first week of April.
Foundation officials anticipate awarding two to four grants at a minimum level of $5,000 and up to $25,000, with a total amount available of $55,000. All faculty and staff from units within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, the Division of Administration and University Outreach and Intercollegiate Athletics are eligible to apply.
For complete information about the grants, as well as application information and forms, visit the NIU Foundation Web page. Contact the Foundation with questions at (815) 753-7539.