NIU’s Office of Assessment Services presents the Summer 2009 issue of Toolkit, its quarterly “nuts and bolts” e-newsletter. Toolkit is specifically designed to assist the NIU community with practical assessment issues in a user friendly format.
This issue looks at highlights from the 2009 Assessment Expo, including links to view each poster presented at the event. Also included are the debut of NIU’s Assessment Manual, a new resource for assessment on campus; a tool for assessing poster presentations; a look at assessment myths; and results from the class of 2007 alumni survey and annual update reports.
Back issues are posted on the Assessment Services Web site under Toolkit. Contributions to the newsletter are welcome at any time.
To help celebrate April 2009 Asian American Heritage Month at NIU, faculty, staff and students have displayed 30 enlarged photos of their travels in Asian countries such as Taiwan, China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia and others.
Photos displayed through Tuesday, April 14, in the Holmes Student Center’s Gallery Lounge portray historical sites such as the Terra Cotta Soldiers, Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, as well as everyday photos that depict the heritage and culture of people, foods and lifestyle.
The purpose of the “Tour of Asia” exhibition is to visually represent and raise global awareness of Asian heritage through the use of photography.
Photographers include Leo Ku, Philip Wilkinson, Linh-Han Nguyen, Lavinia Lement and F. Michelle Bringas.
Visit http://www.niu.edu/aac/ for a compete calendar of events for Asian American Heritage Month. For more information, call (815) 752-1167.
Student and faculty composers from the NIU School of Music will give a concert at 8 p.m. today in the Recital Hall of the Music Building.
The concert will feature works by undergraduate composers Jason Gregory, Doug Merar and Stephanie Pieczynski; graduate composers Abram Breiling, Nathan Edwards and Adam LaSpata; and faculty composers Robert Fleisher, Ted Hatmaker and David Maki.
Former faculty composer Oscar Haugland and special guest composer Chinary Ung, who briefly served on the NIU music faculty in the 1970s, also will be featured. Ung will hold a “meet the composer” talk at 6:30 p.m. today in the Rectial Hall.
A wide variety of chamber works featuring woodwinds, brass, strings, voice, piano, steel pan and electro-acoustic music, are on the program.
The concert is free and open to the public, and the auditorium is accessible to all.
On the menu at Ellington’s this week: Bella’s is scheduled for Tuesday. Touch of Thai takes over Thursday.
Continuing this semester is the option to enjoy wine with your meal. One red and one white wine choice will be available with meal service. Wine will be selected for the menu based on wine-and-food pairings made by the students. Wine selections will range from $4.50 to $6.50 per glass.
Bella’s features artichoke heart vinaigrette or bruschetta Romana piccante for starters, eggplant parmesan or orrechiette carbonara for entrees and kiwi fruit gelato or tiramisu for dessert.
Touch of Thai features tom yum soup or spicy cucumber salad with peanuts for starters, vegetarian pad Thai or Thai-style stir-fried chicken for entrees and coconut milk sticky rice with mangoes or green tea cheesecake with raspberries and raspberry-mint tisane for dessert. Each table also will be served Thai iced tea.
Seating is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with service until 1 p.m. The cost is $9 per person. Ellington’s is located on the main floor of the Holmes Student Center. Call (815) 753-1763 or visit www.ellingtons.niu.edu to make reservations.
The Broken Bread Poverty Dinner, scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, will portray different levels of poverty around the world and will compare people who live on less than $2 a day with those who are more fortunate.
Two speakers from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless will share their experiences living without a home.
Learn about poverty and the factors that contribute to it, such as disease, hunger, homelessness, social inequality and human trafficking. Information on non-profit organizations, lobbying, fair trade and advocating for the millennium development goals also will be available.
The event is free and open to all. It is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board and Bread for the World.
For more information, e-mail brokenbreadNIU@yahoo.com.
Carmen Aguilar, deaf service team leader at the FITE Center for Independent Living in Elgin, will speak Tuesday, April 7, at NIU.
The event takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Heritage Room of the Holmes Student Center. It is free and open to all.
Aguilar, who is deaf, is the founder and President of the Illinois Deaf Latino Association (ILDA) and is one of the board members of the National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
American Sign Language interpreters are available. Contact Jenifer Montag at jmontag@niu.edu for other reasonable accommodations.
For more information, call (815) 753-1986.
The submission deadline for Academic Convocation faculty presentations has been extended to April 15.
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your faculty/undergraduate student academic and/or research project to 3,000 new students and 150 of your faculty colleagues. Submissions from every discipline are encouraged; this opportunity is not limited to the traditional sciences.
Committee members will make presentation selections based on the following:
Student and faculty team members must be available to present for five to 10 minutes at the Academic Convocation, scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, in the Convocation Center.
A proposal form can be downloaded at www.convocation.niu.edu. Submit proposals to
Academic Convocation Committee, c/o Mary Spring, Student Affairs, AL 208, or fax to (815) 753-5100.
NIU’s Literacy Clinic will hold a book fair Friday, April 17, at Barnes & Noble, 2439 Sycamore Road.
A percentage of the net sales during the fair – exclusions include gift cards, bookstore memberships, textbooks and magazine subscriptions – is donated to the Literacy Clinic. Customers must present Literacy Clinic vouchers prior to making their purchases.
Children can create pictures of their favorite stories for the Literacy Clinic Student Art Gallery. Several other events also are planned:
The Literacy Clinic also is accepting donations of books purchased that day. A “wish list” will be available at the store.
Supporters unable to attend can call in orders to the store at (815) 787-3234, prepay and reference the Literacy Clinic book fair number: 505099.
For more information, call the Literacy Clinic at (815) 753-1416 or e-mail literacyclinic@niu.edu.
The Division of Research and Graduate Studies will hold its Outstanding Graduate Student Reception from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.
An awards ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. to honor students who are receiving the following awards: the Carter G. Woodson Fellowship, Jeffrey T. Lunsford Fellowship, Dissertation Completion Award, University Fellowship, Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Award and the Outstanding Graduate Student Award.
Graduate faculty and advisers are encouraged to attend the event. Refreshments will be served.
The David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library has announced its schedule covering April 25 through May 31, which includes reading period and final exams.
Extended hours for Saturday, April 25, through Tuesday, May 12, are from 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays. The library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13.
Hours from Thursday, May 14, through the end of the month are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The library is closed Saturdays. An exception comes Memorial Day Weekend, when the library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 23, and closed Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25.
Call (815) 753-0505 for more information.
NIU Political Scientist Larry Arnhart, author of the book, “Darwinian Conservatism,” will be the keynote speaker during an upcoming University of Chicago weekend retreat focusing on Charles Darwin.
The Basic Program in the Liberal Arts at the University of Chicago is a “great books” program that was originally established in 1946. Twice a year, the Basic Program has a weekend study retreat, organized around a particular theme and set of related readings, at the Illinois Beach Resort in Zion.
This year’s event will be held May 1 through May 3 and is open to all. The Darwin theme commemorates the bicentennial of his birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his seminal work, “Origin of Species.”
Arnhart will open the program with a Friday night lecture, speaking on “Does Darwin Support or Subvert Morality?”
Information about the weekend program and how to register is available online.
Registration is open for ACT test prep scheduled for four Saturdays in May.
Classes meet from 9 a.m. to noon May 9, May 16, May 23 and May 30 in the Monat Building, 148 N. Third St. in DeKalb.
The program covers English, math, reading and science reasoning. The final session covers a sample testing of an actual retired ACT test and scoring.
Cost is $175 (or $200 one week before start of class) and includes instruction, textbook, CD-ROM and retired ACT tests. It does not include registration to take the actual ACT test.
For more information, contact Mark Pietrowski at (815) 753-1456 or pietrowski@niu.edu.
Students are now able to apply for the NIU Speech Camp, Creative Writing Camp, Film Camp, Sci-Camp Discovery, Sci-Camp Explorations, Sci-Camp Investigations and, for the first time, the KEMPA Journalism Workshop.
The camps allow students to explore topics of interest to them, experience life on a college campus and have fun learning.
The camp fees include room and board. An early bird discount applies until June 1, but parents and students are urged to apply as soon as possible to guarantee spots in their camps of choice.
A full application packet is available for download at www.niu.edu/clasep under Academic Summer Camps.
For more camp details, contact Mark Pietrowski at (815) 753-1456 or pietrowski@niu.edu or visit www.niu.edu/clasep.
Experience the cultural explosion and natural beauty of Iceland with the NIU Alumni Association from July 20 to July 26.
Where else can travelers witness such marvels as a tremendous icecap and slow grinding glaciers, spouting geysers, magnificent waterfalls, a multitude of birds, cavorting whales just offshore and fearless little puffins? Meanwhile, because of Iceland’s endless supply of geothermal energy, pollution is nonexistent.
Visit myniu.com or call (815) 753-1512 for more information.
Nearly one dozen programs and activities are planned throughout the month to raise awareness of and help bring an end to sexual assault and other forms of relationship violence.
“This month is designed to create many different avenues for people to discuss and learn about issues surrounding sexual violence,” said Andrea Drott, health educator for NIU’s Health Enhancement. “Everyone is encouraged to support the events and be a part of the solution.”
A complete schedule of discussions, performances and other activities is available online.
Events include:
All events are open to the public and, unless otherwise noted, are free. Sign language interpreters will be provided upon request; call (815) 753-6515. One week’s notice is preferred.
Event sponsors include NIU Health Enhancement; Men Against Sexual and Interpersonal Violence; Women’s Resource Center; Women’s Rights Alliance; PRSSA; Women’s Studies; and Safe Passage.
For more information, call Health Enhancement at (815) 753-9767.
Candidate interviews for the position of director of NIU’s University Honors Program have been scheduled. A 20-minute candidate presentation will be followed by an open interview forum for faculty and staff.
Interested in helping first-year students learn how to succeed at NIU? Become a UNIV 101/201 instructor for fall 2009!
UNIV 101 is a one-credit, 12-week course focused on helping freshmen develop the essential academic and social skills needed to make an enjoyable and successful transition to NIU. UNIV 201 is a similar course designed specifically for transfer students.
In fall 2008, more than 1,600 first-year NIU students enrolled in 84 sections of UNIV 101/201. As a UNIV 101/201 instructor, you can impact the experiences of these new students and provide them with resources to help them adjust to life at NIU.
Instructors must:
If candidates do not meet the last two criteria, they can be paired with a teaching coach.
Instructor overview sessions are being offered from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, and Monday, April 6. The meetings take place in Holmes Student Center Room 306. If you are interested, please RSVP to firstconn@niu.edu.
UNIV 101/201 instructors typically receive a stipend of $1,000 for teaching an individual section or $500 for co-instructing. Once hired, all instructors are required to attend training workshops, department meetings, and participate in course feedback through e-mail correspondence and surveys.
More information and application materials are available online or by e-mail at firstconn@niu.edu.
Friends of NIU Libraries is sponsoring an evening of pizza and discussion with author and NIU alumnus E.E. Knight about his book, “Choice of the Cat,” the April selection for the DeKalb Public Library's Destination Wonder SF Book Club.
The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at Pizza Villa, 824 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. The DeKalb Public Library is co-sponsoring the evening.
Knight is an award-winning author of works in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres. “Choice of the Cat” is his second book in the “Vampire Earth” series.
The Friends of NIU Libraries was founded in 1983 as an association of library supporters interested in developing and supporting the resources of University Libraries. Through membership, gifts and bequests, the group provides funds for the purchase of materials that the library is unable to acquire. Throughout the year, the Friends hosts speakers, programs and book appraisal fairs open to the public.
For more information on the event, call (815) 753-8091.
The Baccalaureate Review Task Force will hold one more open forum to give the NIU community additional opportunities to provide input regarding the university’s baccalaureate goals.
NIU’s Strategic Planning Initiative has identified general education reform as a priority for the institution. The first phase of this reform is a review of the university’s baccalaureate degree goals: What skills, knowledge and abilities should NIU graduates achieve? What values and ideals should be promoted?
The remaining open forum will last 60 minutes and will be held:
Those unable to attend but who want to share ideas can read and respond to the Baccalaureate Review Online Survey at http://www.niu.edu/bacreview/index.shtml.
Education, activism, art and entertainment are all part of the calendar of events for April’s celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Awareness Month.
A new art installation focused on the themes of pride, empowerment and community is taking shape at the LGBT Resource Center; there will be multiple dates in April for participation.
Many other events are also planned throughout April. Full details about all events are available by visiting the online calendar of events at www.niu.edu/lgbt/resourcecenter/news. Request a printed or electronic copy of the calendar by contacting the LGBT Resource Center at (815) 753-5428 or lgbt@niu.edu.
The School of Music will host the NIU Jazz Ensemble Concert at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.
The ensemble is directed by Ron Carter. The concert features special guest artist Benny Golson, jazz master, saxophonist, composer and arranger.
The concert is free and open to the public. It is cosponsored by WNIJ, the Northern Star, NIU Center for Black Studies and NIU Jazz Studies.
For more information, e-mail rcarter@niu.edu.
NIU is engaged in recertification of its athletics program. A campus-wide committee has undertaken a self-study to ensure the integrity of its athletics operations, and the final draft of the self-study will be posted on or about Wednesday, April 1.
As part of the certification process, three public forums will be held to give members of the campus community the opportunity to comment on the self-study. All students, faculty, staff, alumni and interested parties are welcome to attend the forums. Those who cannot attend the forums but would like to comment are encouraged to submit feedback online.
Forums will be held:
For Thursday’s forums, parking is available in Lot 35 free of charge to the public.
For further details, contact Tom Krepel at (815) 752-8362 or via e-mail at krepel@niu.edu.
Join the Lifelong Learning Institute in a fascinating and picturesque trip Friday, April 24, through regional and national history: A professional tour guide will take participants on a day-long tour of the Illinois-Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor.
The opening of the 100 mile-long canal in 1848, from Chicago to LaSalle-Peru, linked the Gulf of Mexico with the Great Lakes and launched Chicago on its greatest period of growth. While eventually superseded by the Sanitary and Ship Canal, a rediscovery of the old canal and the communities along it has resulted in an impressive array of restored buildings, landscapes and historic sites.
Participants will go to the St. James of the Sag Church in Lemont, the headquarters of the I&M Canal at Lockport. Members will visit the marvelously restored Gaylord Building along with a small museum devoted to the canal as well as the Public Landing Restaurant, where they will have lunch. Afterward, they will continue on a driving tour of Lockport and the Joliet Museum, featuring a replica lock used on the I&M and a Route 66 Experience Exhibit.
The trip will depart from the Normal Road entrance of the Holmes Student Center at 8:15 a.m. and return at approximately 6:30 p.m. Fee includes professional guide, lunch, entrance fees and transportation.
The field trip is open to everyone in the community, while LLI members, NIU Cardinal & Black Alumni members and University Women’s Club members are eligible for a discounted rate.
For more information or to register for the field trip, contact the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences External Programming at (815) 753-5200, online at http://www.LLI.niu.edu or in person in Room 152 of the Monat Building, 148 N. Third St.
A minimum of 25 registrants is needed by Friday, April 10, to offer this trip.
Richard Carwardine, Rhodes Professor of American History at St. Catherine College and incoming president of Corpus Christi College at Oxford University, will speak Monday, April 6, at NIU.
Carwardine is the author of “Abraham Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power” and the winner of the 2004 Lincoln Prize. In 2008, he was elected to the Order of Lincoln by the State of Illinois.
His lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Room of the Holmes Student Center.
The event is hosted by the University Honors Program. It is sponsored by a grant from the Abraham Lincoln Illinois Bicentennial Commission and endorsed by the Illinois Library System Director’s Organization.
For more information, visit http://www.lincolnread2009.org.