NIU Group Visits

We invite you to schedule a campus visit for your group of 15-50 students. Group visits are available on most Monday and Wednesday mornings throughout the semester.

Groups of fewer than 15 are not able to schedule a traditional group visit in this format. If you have a group of fewer than 15 people, please reach out to the group visit coordinators at SpecialTours@niu.edu and ask about visit opportunities for your organization.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us at SpecialTours@niu.edu.

Group Visit Schedule

Here’s an example of a group visit schedule:

• 9 to 9:15 a.m. – Arrival
• 9:15 to 9:55 a.m. – Tour
• 10 to 10:15 a.m. – Student Panel 
• 10:15 to 10:40 a.m. – Admissions Presentation
• 10:40 to 10:55 a.m. – Additional Presentation (Optional)
• 11 a.m. to noon – Lunch

Your group can choose to eat lunch on campus. There are two options:

• Any size group can purchase lunch in Neptune Dining Hall for $7 per person. An itemized receipt is available on request. Credit card and checks are accepted for payment. Groups will need to pay together with one transaction. Our dining halls currently do not accept cash.
• Groups of 25 or fewer can purchase lunch in Holmes Student Center retail dining, if individuals are paying separately.

Scheduling Your Visit

Group visits are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please schedule your visit at least four weeks in advance. In general, we can accommodate only one group visit per day, and many groups arrange visits months in advance.

If your group needs ADA accommodations or you have a request for your visit, please let us know as soon as possible.

Please contact us at least three days before your visit to confirm your schedule and number of attendees.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel, you must notify us at least three days in advance. Failure to do so may limit future scheduling availability for your organization.

Preparing for Your Visit

You can help provide a positive experience for both you and your students by adequately preparing them for the visit. The most effective visits are those in which students show genuine interest by being attentive to their tour guide and asking questions. We appreciate your help in making the most of your visit to NIU.

The one-hour campus tour involves walking outside and climbing stairs. It will take place unless there is extreme weather, such as lightning or extreme cold. Please dress for the weather and encourage your students to do so, too. Tours will be modified to accommodate participants with disabilities.

Please note that students must be accompanied by teachers or adult group leaders (at least one adult per 10 students).