Oct. 13, 2025

Please be advised that the university’s protocol for interactions with external law enforcement on campus been updated and can be found online. The NIU Know Your Rights page has also been revised to include the most current guidelines, links to external resources and a printable card for individuals who wish to keep this information with them.

News about ICE and the National Guard being deployed in Chicagoland and surrounding counties, is understandably causing fear and uncertainty for many members of our community. NIU is committed to fostering a respectful environment that directly supports the safety and wellbeing of all students, staff, faculty and visitors. Employees are encouraged to utilize the Well-being at NIU program for guidance, counseling, and additional support resources to manage stress and maintain wellness.

The MyNIU Student System will be unavailable between 5 and 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13 due to system maintenance.

Three new Slate Success Series Events and Office Hours are now open for registration! These sessions are designed to deepen your understanding of Slate, whether you’re looking to explore new features or get help with tools you already use.

Additionally, we invite you to visit the new Slate Resource Portal. Here, you’ll find a variety of resources and helpful information for your recruitment efforts, all in one place.  You can also review previous Slate Success Series Events.

Questions or recommendations for future sessions?  Email Ted Campbell to get the conversation started.

In fall 2024, NIU’s General Education Committee, with support from Accreditation, Assessment and Evaluation, launched projects to assess student achievement of key baccalaureate learning outcomes in general education courses, aligning with our commitment to continuous improvement and strategic planning.

Summary reports are available for projects in fall 2024 partnership with the Department of Mathematical Sciences focused on Quantitative and Qualitative Reasoning; and in fall 2024 and spring 2025 partnership with the Department of Communication focused on Oral Communication.

Faculty and staff may review these reports and participate in upcoming focus groups for other General Education rubrics. Contact aae@niu.edu with questions.

Nominations for the 2026 Excellence in Online Teaching Award are now being accepted. This award recognizes NIU faculty and instructors who exemplify a commitment to excellence in online teaching, course development and student engagement.

All those who teach online or hybrid courses (tenured and tenure-track faculty members, instructors and teaching staff) are eligible. There is no limit as to the number of nominees from any department/program or college. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.

Award recipients will receive a plaque and $2,000 one-time stipend.

Deadline for nominations is Jan. 31, 2026. See go.niu.edu/online-teaching-award for more details and to submit a nomination.

During the month of October, the following three (3) mandatory trainings for all employees will be available in Blackboard:

Each training varies in length from 45 minutes to one (1) hour. These trainings will be open from Oct. 6, 2025 through Oct. 31, 2025. All training must be completed by the last date of the training period prior to midnight. There will be no extensions available. Learn more about the trainings by visiting the NIU Calendar.

ORD is accepting proposals to our Research and Artistry 2026 internal grant program via our InfoReadyinternal competition portal. The Research and Artistry program provides internal grants to support faculty research, scholarship and artistry with clear goals toward meaningful contribution, impact and/or visibility in the proposer’s field. To support long-term sustainability, this program supports projects that articulate strategies for securing ongoing resources and partnerships over time, recognizing current challenges with external funding, and with size, scope and source appropriate to the field.

The 2026 program incorporates multiple changes:

The maximum award is $15,000.

Proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. Jan. 7, 2026. Incomplete, noncompliant or late proposals will not be accepted. Guidelines and supporting documents are uploaded to the InfoReady application portal (Research and Artistry 2026), and applicants should contact resart@niu.edu with questions.

Dozens of crowdfunding teams from across the NIU campus are raising money to help fund important projects in their departments. Initiatives include student travel, food insecurity, lab equipment, scholarships and so much more. Visit crowdfund.niu.edu to learn more and make your donation today.

Join us for our October Leadership Training Series for faculty and staff. Coordinated by Human Resource Services and Employee Well-being and led by Holly Nicholson, the 2025 Presidential Staff Fellow, this month’s panel discussions will explore “Building an Effective Workplace Culture” and will feature Rachel Gordon, Ph.D., associate vice president for Global Affairs and Faculty Development, and Molly Holmes, director, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center. Our panelists will share their perspectives and experiences building and maintaining workplace cultures. Please join us from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 on Teams. Registration is available online.

Securing research support from the Department of Defense (DoD) requires more than a strong idea—it demands strategic insight, relationship-building and a clear understanding of how defense agencies operate.

“Cracking the Code: Winning DoD Research Funding” on Monday, Oct. 20 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. is an interactive seminar designed to help faculty successfully navigate the DoD funding landscape.

After a successful inaugural event last year, NIU is proud to again partner with all Illinois public universities to offer the second annual Illinois Online Higher Education Symposium. This free, virtual conference on Friday, Nov. 7 is for all those who learn, teach, develop, support or administer online education. This year's theme, "Doing Less with Less, Effectively," emphasizes innovative strategies for impactful online education within evolving resource constraints. Learn more and register today.

The university is forming a pool of extra-help bartenders for large catered events (weddings, etc.). If you’re 21 or older, willing to work evenings/weekends, and are BASSET certified (or willing to become so), we encourage you to apply.

Learn more and submit your application here: https://employment.niu.edu/postings/87226

Who are Orientation Leaders (OLs)? 

An Orientation Leader (OL) is an undergraduate student who helps incoming first-year and transfer students transition to NIU, building a sense of connection and belonging. OLs lead small group discussions, lead campus tours, answer questions, and more!

Do you know any students who would be a good Orientation Leader?  

Serving as an Orientation Leader is a unique opportunity for students to develop leadership and communication skills, share their Huskie story by highlighting their academic and involvement journey, and make an impact on new Huskies.

Why should you recommend a student? 

This is a great way to recognize students for their hard work and share another opportunity for them to engage with the campus community. You can also recommend a student who is already highly involved on campus to recognize their hard work. There is no obligation for them to apply after being nominated. 

Recommend an Orientation Leader

Have any questions? Contact Scott Johansen, Program Assistant for Student Training and Development in the Office of Orientation and First Year Programs at sjohansen@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.