NIU President John Peters will host a Community Thank You and Appreciation Reception to be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at the NIU Convocation Center.
When tragedy struck Feb. 14, the greater DeKalb/Sycamore community united with NIU to provide excellent emergency and medical response, generous contributions to healing and recovery efforts, numerous expressions of compassion and countless acts of kindness. Today, NIU’s recovery is under way and continues to be sustained by the collective spirit of the unified community and university – the “communiversity.”
Please join us as we acknowledge the many people who contributed and continue to offer a helping hand as we move forward, together forward.
A brief presentation will begin at 3:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP at (815) 753-0835 or apetta@niu.edu.
Michael Martin, director of the University Honors Program for the past six years, will retire at the end of June. Martin previously taught in the School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences.
A reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the Honors Program Office, Campus Life 110. Presentations will be made at 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Contact Joanne Ganshirt at (815) 753-9398 for more information.
Huskie Pup Camp, a summer camp for children ages 6 to 12, is being offered again by Recreation Services.
The nine-week camp is designed to help campers become more independent, enhance self-confidence and develop both mind and body in a fun and safe learning environment. Camp registration is on-going. For complete information, a copy of the brochure can be obtained at www.rs.niu.edu.
NIU’s Civic Leadership Academy will present a workshop Thursday, May 22, to explore the influence of globalization on leadership roles in local communities. Participants also will hear different strategies for coping with the challenges and maximizing the opportunities of increased competition and interconnectivity in the global economy.
The purpose of the workshop is to better understand economic development and workforce development theories which maximize the competitive advantage of local places in an increasingly global world. Case studies from other cities and regions will be used to demonstrate emerging best practices, and an interactive dialogue process will be used to help participants understand new techniques that can be used to more effectively lead their communities in this era of globalization.
The presenter is Rebecca Steffenson, a senior research associate for NIU’s Center for Governmental Studies
Registration and more information about CLA and its upcoming workshops are available online.
If you’re a current or retired NIU faculty or SPS staff member who wants to extend the spirit of “NIU Cares” to new freshmen next fall, First-Year Connections (FYC) is looking for you: Join a team of volunteers interested in mentoring new students during their transition to NIU.
The Student-Faculty Links mentoring program is a component of Orientation & First-Year Experience. Mentors are asked to fill out a short survey to match them with new students who express similar interests or are in a related academic department.
Mentors and protégées are contacted in early August with each other’s contact information, and are invited to an informal reception hosted by the FYC staff Friday, Aug. 22. All meetings after the reception are to be determined by the mentor and the student.
Student-Faculty Links gives NIU faculty and SPS staff a unique opportunity to reach out and make a difference in the lives of new students. Your involvement is highly beneficial to new students seeking support and encouragement to make their college experience successful and enjoyable.
If you are interested in mentoring a new student for fall 2008 or would like to learn more, contact First-Year Connections by phone at (815) 753-0028 or e-mail firstconn@niu.edu.
NIU’s Fall 2008 Teaching Effectiveness Institute is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14, and Friday, Aug. 15, in the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center.
Hosted by the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, the workshop is open only to NIU faculty and staff. Registered participants will receive workshop materials, lunch and refreshments and certificates of participation.
Advanced registration for both days is required by Friday, July 25. Register early at http://www.facdev.niu.edu or via e-mail at facdev@niu.edu. Those who register and later are unable to attend should inform the center by Monday, Aug. 11, so others on the waiting list can enjoy the opportunity.
Day One – “Fundamental Principles of Effective Instruction” – will introduce faculty to basic principles of teaching, offer information about support resources related to teaching and discuss how faculty deal with students’ needs. Participants will have opportunities to network with new and experienced faculty at NIU.
Day Two features speaker Robert Noyd, a professor of biology and former director of faculty development at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he teaches botany, general biology and senior seminar courses. Noyd is known for his innovations in faculty and curriculum development, including work with classroom observations, microteaching and course design.
Noyd will cover “Overteaching: When is Less Really More?” and offer his expertise on selection of effective instructional methods and simple ways to drive content, promote thinking and assess learning.
Join the NIU Community School of the Arts this spring at one of many music performances.
Students of all ages perform solos or in ensembles. All recitals are scheduled in the Music Building Recital Hall unless otherwise noted, and many end with a gala reception. The recitals are free and open to the public.
Lessons, classes and ensembles in music, art and theater are offered for children and adults throughout the year. The summer semester begins Monday, June 16. For more information, contact Renee Page at (815) 753-1450 or visit http://www.niu.edu/extprograms.
The summer semester is right around the corner, and the NIU Community School of the Arts has great classes and ensembles to offer people of all ages. Registration is open. Look at the summer’s offerings on the updated Web site: www.niu.edu/extprograms.
Are you looking for a fun, exciting summer camp for your children or grandchildren? Look no further than your own back yard.
NIU offers summer sports camps for all sports with a fun and challenging atmosphere for all skill levels. NIU employees receive a discounted rate on all camps.
Campers receive Division 1 college coaching as well as interaction with collegiate athletes combined with the college campus experience. For more information, call (815) 753-5300, e-mail sportscamps@niu.edu or visit- www.niuhuskies.com.
Founders Memorial Library has extended hours for spring finals weeks:
Interim session hours begin Saturday, May 17.
Faculty and staff are invited to join President John G. Peters at the Fall 2008 Academic Convocation to be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in the NIU Convocation Center.
Academic Convocation is the formal ceremony to officially welcome and celebrate incoming NIU students. Students will learn about the many academic opportunities and cultural traditions of NIU.
RSVP by Thursday, May 15, to Mary Spring, Office of Student Affairs, at mspring@niu.edu or (815) 753-1573. For more information and to order regalia, visit www.stuaff.niu.edu. Regalia and assembly at 10:30 a.m.
Diane Schlosser is retiring after 32 years of service at University Bookstore.
A celebration in her honor is planned for 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, May 23, in the University Suite.
A book drive is being held in the Founders Memorial Library lobby through Thursday, May 15.
Textbooks, picture books, law books, medical literature and general literature (good reads) are being collected. Donations will become part of the new library for Restore Academy in Gulu, Uganda.
For more information on the academy’s sponsor, Restore International, visit http://restoreinternational.org/. For information on the book drive specifically, contact NIU student Jessica Goodrum at goodrum.jessica@gmail.com.
Eligible faculty and staff now can obtain their new NIU OneCards.
To get new IDs, members of the faculty and staff should bring their current NIU OneCards to the OneCard Office, located on the lower level of the Holmes Student Center across from the University Bookstore, from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lost ID charges will apply for failure to return current cards. Call (815) 753-9569 for more information.
To perform maintenance and repairs on high pressure steam lines on campus, the Physical Plant and Heating Plant will conduct the annual steam outage.
West Campus: 9 p.m. Monday, May 19, through noon Friday, May 23. This will include all buildings west of Carroll Avenue, except Stevenson and the Neptune Complex, and various other smaller buildings not served by steam. Domestic and heating hot water will not be available.
East Campus: 9 p.m. Sunday, May 25, or Monday, May 26, through noon Thursday, May 29. This will include all buildings east of Carroll Avenue and the Neptune Complex, except for various other smaller buildings not served by steam. Domestic and heating hot water will not be available.
Address any questions or concerns to Kevin Vines, chief engineer, at (815) 753-6090 or via e-mail at kvines@niu.edu.