Huskies, leave your lunch at home and enjoy weekly specials at Qdoba and the Grill at Huskie Den. Specials include:

Please note: Specials are in person only, not available on Grubhub, and open to NIU students, faculty and staff.

Nominations for the 2027 Board of Trustees and Presidential Professorships are now being accepted. Please consider nominating a colleague for one of these prestigious awards. 

More information about each award and the criteria and procedure for nomination is available by visiting the links below.

All professorships share the same nomination deadline of Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, followed by a Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, deadline for full application materials.

Huskie Trek Talks: Ideas in Motion returns in 2027, offering NIU faculty and staff the chance to showcase innovative research, programs and initiatives while competing for a share of $100,000 in grant funding and potential graduate assistantship support. Faculty and staff are encouraged to submit a proposal today and share ideas that can inspire the NIU community and attract support from partners, alumni and donors. Proposal submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, and those interested in learning more can attend the "Anatomy of a Winning Huskie Trek Talks Proposal" webinar on Oct. 14.

Help keep our campus community healthy by getting your annual flu shot. Our campus flu clinic is open to employees, students and the community and will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the Holmes Student Center Ballroom. Enter at the east door of the Ballroom.

To book an appointment, complete the client form and print it out to bring with you to your appointment. The form and additional information are available on our 2026 Flu Booking webpage.

Important: Please read all instructions and information provided on the website before you make an appointment.
Bring your completed and printed client form with you to the clinic.

GIVE Circles are opportunities for participants, whether students, faculty or staff, to engage in deep listening and conversation of shared experiences related to various topics. They are moments to build connections, understanding and empathy amongst those participating. GIVE Circles can play an important role in bringing the campus community together to explore our common humanity.

As a facilitator, you would be an important part of creating and maintaining spaces on campus for students, faculty and staff to establish self-agency and cultivate a sense of belonging.

Register today for the training on Thursday, Oct. 15. If you have any questions, please contact agiffin@niu.edu.

The revised International Travel Policy is open for review and comment through Wednesday, Oct. 21. To share feedback, visit the Policy Library website and select “Comment on New/Renew Policies.” Questions? Contact the university policy librarian at policy-library@niu.edu.

A quick mention from you in class, during advising appointments or in a department newsletter can be the nudge a student needs to take the next step.

Students considering graduate or professional school can connect with programs, ask questions and explore their options at this virtual fair from 6 to 8 p.m. Students must RSVP in Huskies Get Hired to attend.

Workshops throughout the month cover résumés, interviews, networking, LinkedIn, job and internship searches, career exploration and graduate school preparation. View October workshops and events.

National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 19 to 23, celebrates transfer students and the faculty and staff who support them. The Office of Community College Initiatives and the Office of Orientation and First-year Programs invite you to share your transfer story and your favorite piece of advice for transfer students, whether you transferred yourself, worked at a community college or serve transfer students in your current role. Your stories will help us recognize transfer champions across NIU and celebrate the perspectives transfer students bring to our community.

Faculty and staff are invited to NIU’s Enrollment Summit from 8:15 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 3, in Sandburg Auditorium at the Holmes Student Center. The campuswide event will share updates on enrollment trends, results from the most recent recruitment cycle, and priorities and strategies for the years ahead.

Presentations will cover key areas affecting new student enrollment, including university marketing, communications, financial aid, online and adult programs, and graduate and undergraduate admissions. Attendees will gain a broader understanding of how NIU’s collective efforts help us reach our enrollment goals. Register online.

Nominations are now open for the 2026-2027 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards. Each academic or academic support unit is invited to nominate two outstanding graduate teaching assistants, one at the master’s level and the other at the doctoral level, for the awards. Nominations can be submitted by the department chair/school director or designee.

Nominations are due Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. More information about the award and the nomination process can be found at go.niu.edu/outstanding-ta-award.

Come enjoy a Midwest-inspired meal on Oct. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Neptune Dining Hall. Menu highlights include Tator Tot casserole, Potato Bar, Cheese Curds, Italian Beef Pizza, Apple Cider Donuts from Jonamac and so much more! That’s not all – we will also be having Midwest activities, photo opportunities, raffles and a couple of special guests! We look forward to seeing you there!