Jan. 13, 2025

The PeopleSoft Human Resources System will be unavailable from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13 due to system maintenance.

Awarding an honorary degree is an opportunity for the university to recognize someone especially outstanding in a field of interest to the university. It is necessary, though not sufficient, for a nominee to be accomplished and renowned in their field; an honorary-degree recipient should be clearly exceptional among other outstanding persons in that field. While a connection to Northern Illinois University or to the state of Illinois is not a requirement for nomination, any such relationship should be noted and will be considered during the selection process.

A nomination must be accompanied by:l

Any person affiliated with Northern Illinois University may submit a nomination indicating the nominator’s identity and connection with the university. The Honorary Degree Committee encourages nominations by groups and individuals. Nominators should alert all university departments and divisions related to the area of the nominee’s accomplishments and invite those units to provide the committee with input regarding the merits of the nomination.

As the university does not intend to award more than two honorary degrees in a year, the selection process is stringent. This year’s nominations, with the required supporting information, should reach Kayla Doane at kdoane@niu.edu  by Friday, February 28, 2025. Names of past recipients of the NIU Honorary Degrees are available on the Division of Academic Affairs website: https://www.niu.edu/academicaffairs/awards/degrees.shtml

The West Heating Plant will be receiving and installing new boilers during the beginning of spring semester. 

The delivery and installation process will require Stadium Drive East to be closed between Lincoln Drive North and Lucinda Avenue on Thursday, Jan. 9 and from Monday, Jan.13 through Friday, Jan. 17. Stadium Drive East will reopen to traffic once the installation is complete. The sidewalk along the road will also be closed during these periods.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to plan accordingly for disruptions to parking and transportation during this time.

The Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of NIU's top graduating students. Each year, this award is given to an outstanding senior from each of the four-year, degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois.

NIU academic chairs and directors: Please review and complete the nomination form.

All NIU faculty are encouraged to put forward excellent nominees for endorsement consideration by their department.

Nomination information:

Nominations are due Friday, March 7, 2025.

You will answer four questions about the nominee in the nomination form.

Applications are now being accepted for NIU Impact, the NIU Foundation's crowdfunding platform through which students, faculty, staff members and researchers can raise money to turn their great ideas into reality. Since its inception in 2021, NIU Impact has helped raise over $600,000 from more than 3,600 total donations.

Spring campaigns run from February or mid-April to mid-May. Please submit your application at least two weeks before you would like your crowdfunding project to start. Learn more and submit your crowdfunding application on the NIU Foundation crowdfunding page.

Questions? Contact Cody Carter, ccarter1@niu.edu.

We are excited to announce the dates for our 2025 Spring Involvement Fair. This two-day event takes place:

Day 1: Involvement Fair and Meet FSL — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 I Ellington Ballroom, Holmes Student Center.
Day 2: Involvement Fair and Service Expo — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 I Ellington Ballroom, Holmes Student Center.

Sign-up Details:
Student Organizations: You are welcome to register for both days. However, if your organization is part of a Fraternity and Sorority Life Council (IFC, MGC, NPHC, or PHC), you may only register for Day 1 (Jan. 22).
Departments and Service Partners: You are invited to register for Day 2 (Jan. 23).

Registration Deadline:
The deadline to register for the Spring Involvement Fair is Monday, Jan. 15. Please use this form to sign up. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Alex Pitner, associate director for student organizations and leadership in Student Involvement.

Space is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. 

This semester, Huskie Den is offering two staff and faculty packages open to all NIU nonstudent employees (including part-time, temporary and extra help) and their significant others.

Lunch Break Bowling — offered between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Two games and rental shoes for $4 ($2 with your own bowling shoes).

Pick-a-Day Special — Three games and shoe rental for $7 ($5 with your own bowling shoes). Bowlers can choose the day of their discount from Mondays, Wednesdays (must be finished before 5:30 p.m.) or Fridays (except the last Friday of the month which offers 50 cent games and dollar shoe rentals). Bowlers can only use this special once a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays are omitted because there are already lower prices on those days)

Staff and faculty must present their OneCard to receive discounts. Visit go.niu.edu/huskieden to learn more.

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to prove yourself and your skills? The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) has just what you need to improve those skills. DoIT is offering IT workshops in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneNote, Planner and more. Use this link to register for IT workshops.

Maybe you are looking to work with your department on a specific topic? DoIT can do this as well. Please contact Cindy Kozumplik, business analyst, for more information.

Have you been considering changing a few lifestyle habits and you’re looking for guidance? Do you know what to do, but need accountability to get there? NIU Recreation offers one-on-one personal training with nutrition coaching. Our trained staff will help you build skills for whatever your goal — whether you want to change your weight, get stronger at the gym, or boost your energy and confidence, we’re here to help. Our package includes six 30-minute sessions with a personal trainer, and up to weekly visits with a nutrition coach for the semester, all for only $235. Only need help in one area? We’ve got deals for those too. Sign up for personal training or nutrition coaching. Early bird savings end Feb. 15. Members of NIU Recreation receive even bigger savings.

Tip: Submit your event, lecture, training session or deadline to the NIU calendar to help inform Huskies about everything that is happening on campus.