NIU Statement on Protesting and Messaging re: Israel and Palestine Conflict

The university acknowledges that members of the NIU community with ties to Israel and/or Palestine are feeling immeasurable loss, pain and frustration as a result of the ongoing and deadly conflict. Whether we gather in community or in protest, the university appeals to all Huskies to use their voices and knowledge to drive change in ways that welcome people to listen, learn and support solutions that are positive and just. 

State of the University rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8.

Join President Freeman and Faculty Senate President Ben Creed for an engaging conversation about the state of the university and 2024 goals on Feb. 8, 2024 at 2 p.m. in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium or via Zoom. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions in person or online. Refreshments will be provided including samples of Jada Juice. Employees will receive release time to join the event.

SPS Scholarship Fund offering two student scholarships.

The Supportive Professional Staff Scholarship Fund offers two scholarships annually. Students can apply for the scholarship if they meet the following qualifications:

• The student has been impacted by a SPS employee or is a child or grandchild of an SPS employee.
• The student is attending NIU full time with a minimum 2.5 GPA (3.0 minimum GPA for transfer students).
• The student must be pursuing an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree.

Interested students must complete the SPS Dependent Scholarship Application by Feb. 28, 2024. The application asks about the student’s relationship to a SPS employee, the impact the SPS employee has had on the applicant’s life, and what it means to be a Huskie. There are two scholarships currently available at $1,250 for a child or grandchild of an SPS employee and $750 for a student that has been impacted by an SPS employee. The two scholarships, which can be used during the 2024-2025 academic year, will be awarded later this spring.

 

For more information concerning the SPS Scholarship contact Committee Chairs Ronald Smith rsmith11@niu.edu or Heath Duncan hduncan@niu.edu.

Nominations are now being accepted for NIU's staff awards. 

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, equity and inclusion, integrity, collaboration and service.

 

The staff awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge staff members’ extraordinary effort and exemplary service.

 

The nomination deadline is Feb. 12, 2024. The nomination process includes providing references. Please submit nominations early, so references have enough time to provide information by the deadline.

Graduate nutrition students taking clients at NIU Recreation.

Students in the College of Health and Human Sciences Dietetic Internship Program are now taking clients for nutrition coaching. In partnership with NIU Recreation, CHHS graduate nutrition interns complete an 80-hour rotation at the Rec where they meet with clients to help them make nutrition changes to improve their health and well-being. Fees for nutrition coaching are far below market value and help cover technology expenses associated with this service. Help yourself through better nutrition, and help our students grow professional skills — register now for nutrition coaching.

Ellington's Restaurant opens Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Huskies! Be sure to mark your calendars: Ellington’s Restaurant reopens its doors Tuesday, Feb. 20. Each week, BADM 303 students create and prepare themed meals for you, your friends and your colleagues to enjoy. Service takes place every Tuesday through April 30 (closed March 12). Menus are posted to both our Ellington’s website and the NIU event calendar. We thank you in advance for your continued support as our students gain hands-on experience. No reservations required. Dining Dollars, Huskies Bucks and debit/credit accepted.

Celebrate Global Community Engagement Day

Join us the week of Jan. 29 through Feb. 1 to celebrate Global Community Engagement Day.

Stop by our table at the Holmes Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn how you can engage with your community, receive a free "I engage" pin and a chance to win a prize.

 

Learn more at go.niu.edu/globalengagement.

Art Express Class for Kids Ages 5-12. Fee Waived for Huskie Families.

CSA Art Express class for children ages 5- 12 has room for even more young artists this semester.

 

NIU School of Art students teach this popular class in the Art Building with guidance from NIU professor Shei-chau Wang starting Saturday, Feb. 3. All the materials are provided, and students learn about and make art together with kids close to their own age.

 

The Art Express class fee is waived for all children and grandchildren of NIU employees, NIU retirees and currently enrolled NIU students. However, registration is required for each participating child.

 

Register online while space is available (select “pay later”), then contact the CSA office to take advantage of our fee waiver offer.

 

For more information, call the NIU Community School of the Arts at 815-753-1450 or email ksherman2@niu.edu. 

Join NIU Esports, NASCAR Chicago Street Race for Rocket League Rev Up

On Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, start your engines and head over to the NIU Esports Arena in 100 Altgeld Hall for Rocket League Rev Up. This first-of-its-kind, free-entry event marks the NASCAR Chicago Street Race’s first time working with a university.

 

This event includes:

• Rocket League tournament: Free entry! Prizes from NASCAR Chicago Street Race for most creative team names and tournament placement. Sign up for the tournament. 
• Casual Rocket League gameplay. Drop in for open play and a chance to win door prizes.
• Race the virtual Chicago Street Course on simulators provided by the NASCAR Chicago team.
• NASCAR race cars on site.
• Giveaways provided by the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. No tournament participation is necessary to win.

The event is free to all and family friendly. Learn more at go.niu.edu/RocketLeagueRevUp.

• Monday, Jan. 29: Global Community Engagement Week
• Tuesday, Jan. 30: **ONLINE** Using the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
• Tuesday, Jan. 30: **ONLINE** Advanced Uses of AI in Foundational Courses
• Wednesday, Jan. 31: Retirement Reception for Susan Swegle
• Wednesday, Jan. 31: Mindfulness and You
• Thursday, Feb. 1: Operating Staff Council
• Thursday, Feb. 1: **IN PERSON** Assessment Circle Workshop 1: Writing Good Degree Program Student Learning Outcomes
• Thursday, Feb. 1: History of the Book Series
• Thursday, Feb. 1: Open Lab @ De La Vega Innovation Lab
• Thursday, Feb. 1: Annual Dr. LaVerne Gyant Black Heritage Lecture and Black Faculty/Staff Reception
• Thursday, Feb. 1: The Staff & Faculty - Diesel Bowling League
• Friday, Feb. 2: Virtual Information Session - De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition & Incubator Program
• Saturday, Feb. 3: Outdoor Adventures: Snowboard/Ski Day Trip
• Saturday, Feb. 3: Men's Basketball vs Eastern Michigan

• Wednesday, Feb. 7: STEM Café: Good Food: Gardening, Preserving and Sustainable Food Systems

• Thursday, Feb. 8: "Reflections and Observations in Developing the Field"
• Wednesday, April 3: "Resisting Death: Undocumented Immigrants and the Politics of Kidney Failure in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands" Professor Milena Melo Tijerina, Ph.D.

Financial Month End Close

The month of January is closing for all financial reporting activity at noon Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Journals not posted at that time will go into February business. Submit January journals before end of business Thursday, Feb 8. Final January reports will be available Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. In addition, February reports will be available Tuesday,
Feb. 13, 2024. These and other important dates can be found on the Controller's Office website.

 

Wednesday, Jan. 31: Nomination Deadline for the Excellence in Online Teaching Award

Monday, Feb. 12: 2024 Staff Award Nomination Deadline

Monday, March 18: Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award Nomination Deadline

NIU awarded for Library Excellence in Access and Diversity

NIU’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts continue to receive national recognition.

 

The latest accolade recognizes the University Libraries team. Read more.

Rockford Promise scholars are excelling at NIU

“NIU is a great school, it’s close to home, and this program is very beneficial and definitely has affected me in a positive way.”

 

Izzy Rundall from Rockford is in her second year at Northern Illinois University as part of the Rockford Promise program, majoring in child development. Read more.

Have information to share?

Complete the NIU Clearinghouse form to have your notice, deadline or event included in the Monday Morning Employee Announcements or The Weekly Scroll. Submissions are due the Thursday before the week you would like your announcement to appear.

This message has been approved for distribution by the appropriate NIU party and is distributed by the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications. NIU Mass Email Policy.

Northern Illinois University's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Learn more about NIU’s vision, mission and values.