Jan. 26, 2026

Join President Freeman for the State of the University at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions both in person and online, and employees are granted release time to join the event.

Join us from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 in the Holmes Student Center for this dynamic conference that centers on intergenerational dialogue and the power of oral history. Through storytelling, shared experiences and meaningful conversations, participants will explore how the wisdom of the past can inform and inspire visions for a more just and connected future. Designed to bridge generational gaps, this gathering invites attendees to listen deeply, speak authentically and honor the voices that have shaped our communities across time.

Supportive Professional Staff (SPS) and Operating Staff (OS) have a critical role in NIU’s success. NIU annually recognizes current staff members and staff teams who have demonstrated exemplary performance and service in promoting the goals of the university while demonstrating the core values of excellence, advancement of NIU’s mission, vision and values, integrity, collaboration and service.

The awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge staff members’ extraordinary effort and exemplary service. The nomination deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. and references must be submitted by Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Please plan to submit nominations early, so references have enough time to provide information by the deadline.

The new AI at NIU website is a central place to bring together guidance, tools and campus expertise to help our community navigate both the opportunities and the challenges of AI. The website includes AI-related news and events, available tools, institutional guidance and common questions to help students, faculty and staff navigate AI’s opportunities and considerations across campus.

NIU faculty and staff are encouraged to review the website and share it with students and colleagues, as well as contribute to the website. Contact ai@niu.edu if you are doing AI-related research; if you are doing something innovative with AI in your teaching or have a student doing exciting work with AI; or, if you have a question about AI use or the AI at NIU website.

Students intending to graduate in May 2026 must apply in MyNIU by no later than Feb. 15. Please share this date with students and colleagues. This is the only (and final) deadline for spring (May 2026) graduation candidates. More information about applying for graduation is available at niu.edu/registration-records/graduation

NIU Recreation is looking toward the future; this is your opportunity to provide input and help us create the Rec experience you want.

Staff and students are encouraged to take our quick surveys.

The Office of Research Development invites faculty to Drop-in Writing Time. We will host two weekly sessions starting the week of Jan. 19 through the week of April 20.

Virtual: 9 to11 a.m. Wednesdays on Teams.

In Person: 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays at the 71N Partnership Studio Garage.

Drop-in Writing Time is open to all NIU faculty and provides participants with dedicated time to work independently on writing for external funding pursuits and/or advancing research, scholarship or artistry. ORD research development specialists will be available during sessions to support grant writing as needed. An adjacent room is available for ORD consultation and faculty collaboration for in-person sessions, and breakout rooms are available for virtual sessions.

Download these events to your calendar using the link for virtual sessions and for in-person sessions. With any questions, or to sign up for communications about these events, please email Sadie Schaus (sschaus@niu.edu).

The Office of Research Development (ORD) announces an internal competition for the William T. Grant Scholars Program. This program limits an institution to one proposal from each “major division” (e.g., each college). 

The William T. Grant Scholars Program supports research in two key areas: 1) Reducing inequality in youth outcomes; and 2) improving the use of research evidence in policy and practice. The foundation supports early career researchers in expanding their expertise through a five-year research and mentoring plan.

A full description of the program and the expectations of proposals can be found on their website. 

The deadline to submit an internal proposal is April 29, 2026. The William T. Grant Foundation submission deadline is June 30, 2026. Faculty who plan to submit a proposal to the William T. Grant Scholars Program opportunity must submit an internal proposal via NIU’s InfoReady portal.  Complete information on the internal competition and other limited submissions is available on the ORD InfoReady portal. If you come across a funding opportunity that limits the number of proposals accepted and do not see it on the ORD InfoReady portal, please email ord@niu.edu.  

Submissions for the Student Engagement Fund (SEF) are being accepted through Feb. 27 for proposed projects in the upcoming academic year (summer, fall and/or spring). SEF provides funding for undergraduate students working on faculty-mentored research, artistry and creative inquiry projects.

Faculty are eligible to apply for a maximum of $3,800 per year.  

Read the full details and apply by Feb. 27 to be considered for funding.  

Questions can be emailed to ugresearch@niu.edu.  

A revised policy is open to review and comment for a 30-day period. This provides our NIU community with the opportunity to consider and respond to the policy before it takes effect. The revised policy is:

To submit a comment, go to our Policy Library website. Click on “Comment on New/Renew Policies.” You’ll be able to review the policies and provide your comments. If you have any questions, please contact the university policy librarian at policy-library@niu.edu.

Applaud a Colleague is a show of appreciation for those coworkers who go above and beyond. These are just a few of the employees throughout the university that go the extra mile:

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

The month of January is closing for all financial reporting activity at noon Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. Journals not posted at that time will go into February business. Submit January journals before end of business Friday, Feb. 6. Final January reports are scheduled to be available Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. In addition, February reports are scheduled to be available Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. These dates, and other important dates related to the Controller’s Office can be found on the Calendars and Important Dates - NIU - Controller's Office webpage.