FIRST-GEN WEEK

During First-Gen Week, we proudly celebrate the first-generation Huskies who bring their talents, determination and unique stories to NIU every day. Being the first in their families to attend college and pursue new opportunities, their achievements inspire our entire campus community and showcase the power of perseverance. This week and throughout the year, we honor our first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni whose journeys help make NIU a place where everyone can dream big, belong and succeed. 

Show your pride with a #FirstGenHuskie email signature or Teams and Zoom background. Posting on your personal social accounts? FirstGen Forward offers ready-to-share post copy and profile photo templates in its #CelebrateFirstGen media kit.

“As a first-generation student, a college education matters because it’s both a personal legacy and a collective purpose. It’s a way to set an example for your family, build a future you’re proud of and surround yourself with people striving for something bigger than themselves.” 

Amaris Aviles, nursing major 

Veteran's Day is Nov. 11 and throughout the week, we are honoring the service, sacrifice and leadership of the veterans who are part of the NIU community. Their dedication and commitment continue to make a lasting impact on our campus and beyond. Join us as we recognize and celebrate NIU's student, faculty, staff and alumni veterans throughout the week.

The PeopleSoft Human Resources system will be unavailable on Tuesday, Nov.10, from 5 to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. due to system maintenance.

The PeopleSoft Financial Management system will be unavailable from Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8:00 a.m. through Monday, Nov. 16, at 10:30 a.m. due to system maintenance.

Volunteers are needed for NIU's commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026, at the Convocation Center. Faculty, staff and students who are not already participating through their academic college are encouraged to help.

Complete the volunteer sign-up form by Monday, Nov. 23. For more information, visit the commencement volunteer opportunities website. Thank you for supporting our graduates. Go Huskies!

Join colleagues across NIU for a campus-wide event focused on improving digital accessibility and preparing for the Title II accessibility standards. Fix Your Content Day includes panel discussions, workshops, and hands-on opportunities to make your digital course materials more inclusive. As part of the global Blackboard Ally Accessibility Challenge, every fix you make counts toward NIU’s progress on the worldwide leaderboard. Register once to attend the morning panel, workshops, or drop-in sessions—or simply join the challenge by making fixes through Blackboard Ally on Nov. 10. Each edit moves us closer to an inclusive digital learning environment for all Huskies. Learn more and register.

Connect with researchers, innovators and business leaders at the Voucher University Mixer at NIU Naperville on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m.. This after-work event brings together Illinois universities and small and medium-sized businesses to explore research and development partnerships. Attendees will hear from past Illinois Innovation Voucher recipients, network with potential collaborators and learn how the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program can provide up to $75,000 in R&D funding. Learn more about the event and register to attend. 

The Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships is hosting a series of open forums to introduce the Research Concierge and share plans for redesigning our pre-award structure.

These sessions are an opportunity to learn more, ask questions and help shape the next phase of RIPS’ faculty-facing support. Please attend one that fits your schedule

NO HUSKIE GOES HUNGRY

Balancing classes, work, and everyday expenses can be challenging. When students have access to the food and essential items they need, they can focus on learning and reach their goals. You can help make a difference. 

Join the No Huskie Goes Hungry Food Drive and help fellow Huskies thrive. 

Every can, box and bag donated helps ensure every student has access to the resources they need to stay healthy, focused and ready to learn. 

When and Where to Drop Off Donations:

📅 Collection Dates: Tuesday, Nov. 17; and Thursday, Nov. 19
⏰ Drop-Off Time: noon to 3 p.m. 
📍 Donation Location: Holmes Student Center 

No donation is too small. Grab an extra item during your next grocery run and help ensure No Huskie Goes Hungry. 

Huskies take care of Huskies. Let's make an impact together! 💪❤️ 

In coordination with the Provost’s Office, NIU Libraries is collecting non-perishable, individually wrapped snack items through December 12. The snack pantry in the Learning Commons of Founders Memorial Library supports students’ food needs between meals while they study and learn in the library.

Drop-off boxes are located in Altgeld Hall, Suite 215 and near the entrance on the first floor of Founders Memorial Library. Visit the calendar event link or email kshotick@niu.edu for information about acceptable items.

Beginning November 1, 2026, University Libraries will only print posters created using the Clearinghouse-approved poster templates available on the Libraries' website.

If your academic conference requires a specific template that is not among the approved options, you must provide a cost center number from your department to cover the printing cost. Posters that do not use a Clearinghouse-approved template and do not have department funding will not be accepted for printing.

Please direct any questions to lib-admin@niu.edu.

Graduate students are invited to take advantage of the Graduate Student Commons in at Founders Memorial Library, Room 338. Exclusively available to currently enrolled graduate students, the space offers a welcoming place to study, collaborate, connect with peers, and recharge, with access available through your OneCard. A nearby Quiet Study Room provides additional space for focused work. Graduate students are also encouraged to share ideas for enhancing the Commons by emailing lib-admin@niu.edu or using the QR code posted in the space.

Do you know an NIU student who has the potential to be a great leader? Recommend them for the LeaderShape Institute, a four-day leadership experience taking place Jan. 4–7, 2027, at Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus! Students will explore their values, develop leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and learn what it means to lead with integrity.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to share this opportunity with students who would benefit from this experience!

Do you teach a course with zero-cost or low-cost course materials? NIU students can search for and filter to find class sections that use affordable course materials (required books, textbooks, ebooks, streaming video, CDs or DVDs) at the time of registration.

To ensure that the courses you teach with free or low-cost course materials are identified for students in MyNIU, please notify your department course scheduler and department chair of your upcoming term courses that should be designated as either low-cost (total course materials cost of $40 or less) or zero-cost textbook courses.

Visit our Affordable Materials Course Designator webpage for more information and FAQs

NIU’s Civic Leadership Academy is offering NIU faculty, staff and students the chance to attend this upcoming webinar for free.

Demystifying Community Data: Where Does It Come From, and How Can We Use It? Presented by: Andy Blanke, Research Specialist, NIU Center for Governmental Studies will take place on Nov. 12, 2026 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

This popular online webinar is back, with more hands-on examples to help you strengthen your community-based research and community-engaged partnerships!

 

Learn more and register.

Career Services has several upcoming events to help students build career readiness skills and connect with employers. Please share these opportunities with your students:

Faculty and staff hiring student employees are encouraged to attend Huskies Get Hired 101. Students can learn more about upcoming opportunities through Career Services events.

Help students prepare for internships and full-time opportunities by including NIU's Spring 2027 Career Fairs in your syllabus, Blackboard course or class announcements. Faculty and staff hiring student workers should also consider attending the All-Majors Internship & Job Fair to connect with talented Huskies from across campus.

The month of October is closing for all financial reporting activity at noon on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.  Journals not posted at that time will go into November business. October journals were due by end of business on Friday, Nov. 6.  Final October reports are scheduled to be available Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026.  In addition, November reports are scheduled to be available Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.  These dates, and other important dates related to the Controller’s Office website.