Hello Huskies!

Now is the time to start thinking about the spring semester. Registration for Spring 2021 classes starts a week from today, Monday, Nov. 2. Are you ready? Look for the step-by-step guide you received in your email from NIU Announcements on Oct. 13. Based on the successes NIU has seen with this fall’s format, spring’s course modalities will be very similar to our current semester’s.

Safe Scares

Our team has worked hard to preserve your holiday fun during a Halloween season that requires extra precautions.

Peruse a whole week of themed activities, happening across campus and in the virtual space, at go.niu.edu/Halloween-Events.

Please enjoy yourself with the week’s festivities — but make sure you avoid unnecessary risks, and remember that others’ cultures do not make for appropriate costumes.

Vote in the Election!

Early voting in the Holmes Student Center runs through Monday, Nov. 2, and you can even register on-site if you live in DeKalb County.

Want to go vote with friends? Many groups at NIU are participating in Paws to the Polls. You may be part of a residence hall, athletics team, resource center or program participating!

Can’t vote early? Don’t fret — Election Day is a holiday with no classes or campus business. I encourage you to raise your voice and vote.

As we press on past the midpoint of the semester, I’m looking forward to hearing from you. My Dean of Students Virtual Open Office Hours are this Thursday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon. I hope you’ll invite your club or organization to meet with me — or even schedule 30 minutes on your own for a one-on-one chat. To reserve your appointment, email Meg Junk.

Please stay on course in your journey at NIU, celebrate Halloween responsibly, and help shape our collective futures during next week’s election.

Forward Together,

Kelly Wesener Michael, Ed.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Chief Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students

Week of Oct. 26, 2020
Protecting the Pack Updates	Notices	Events
Huskie Spotlight	Wellness Tip	From NIU Today
Did You Know?	Deadlines	Celebrating NIU’s 125^th Anniversary

Protecting the Pack Updates

University updates guidelines in response to New Region 1 requirements
Beginning yesterday, Sunday, Oct. 25, the Illinois Department of Public Health instituted additional restrictions for Region 1, which includes DeKalb County, to address the region’s continued positivity rate increases. All Huskies must do their parts to help protect our community.

In consultation with the DeKalb County Health Department, the university has implemented the following revisions to our current guidelines:

• All in-person events, including events hosted by recognized student organizations, can proceed with no more than 10 people as long as masks are worn and physical distancing is maintained. These are the only types of events/gatherings permissible anywhere on campus and university property.
• Learn more about the university’s current guidelines.

Update to the spring academic calendar

As previously communicated, continuing to reduce the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19 requires that the university adjust the spring 2021 academic schedule. The updated spring academic calendar includes the following:

• The spring semester will start Monday, Jan. 11, and will end one week earlier, on April 30.

• An additional administrative closure day will take place on Thursday, Feb. 11 and classes will not meet and university offices will be closed.

• There will be no spring break, however the university will provide all students, faculty and staff a three-day weekend beginning Friday, March 12

• Final exams will be held April 24, 26-30, and commencement dates will remain unchanged for now.

Notices

Complete your Student Financial Agreement before you register for spring classes
Northern Illinois University requires all students to complete the Student Financial Agreement prior to registering for classes for Academic Year 2020-21. The agreement acknowledges that you understand and agree to the financial responsibilities for enrolling in classes at NIU. You can access the agreement through your MyNIU.

You will be responsible for completing the Student Financial Agreement once every academic school year. For instruction on how to complete the Student Financial Agreement, visit go.niu.edu/agreement.

Help support NIU by telling us your Huskie story
As the NIU Foundation prepares for “Thousands Strong” — this year’s philanthropic campaign leading up to our Day of Giving on Nov. 18 — they are seeking students to share why they’re proud to be part of our pack. It’s so easy, you can do it in 30 seconds or less with a quick video! Here’s how to upload your clip.

Funding for undergraduate research available
Applications for the spring 2021 Student Engagement Fund (SEF) are due this Sunday, Nov. 1. SEF supports projects that consist of undergraduate students working on faculty-mentored research and community-based projects. Student and faculty submissions are considered.

Recipients of the fund are provided financial support of up to $2,500 for research-related expenses including project supplies and conference registration (for the student). Additionally, students working on the project are eligible for up to $1,200 in compensation for their work as an undergraduate research assistant.

Open to all colleges. Visit the Student Engagement Fund webpage for more information and to apply.

Learn about the Master of Science in Applied Human Development and Family Sciences program at NIU.
Thinking about graduate school? Learn more about the Master of Science degree program in Applied Human Development and Family Sciences at NIU. Attend a one-hour virtual Open House on Zoom for an in-depth look into our graduate programs followed by a live Q&A with faculty. Attend an open house on Oct. 29 (3 p.m.), Nov. 4 (6 p.m.) or Nov. 10 (9:30 a.m.). RSVP online or email dscottsibley@niu.edu for more information. 

Events

• Monday, Oct. 26: Well-o-Ween: Glow Boo-tifully • Tuesday, Oct. 27 through Thursday, Oct. 29: Financial Literacy Program - First Year Success Series • Tuesday, Oct. 27: Well-O-Ween: Yoga • Tuesday, Oct. 27: Graduate and Professional School Virtual Fair • Tuesday, Oct. 27: Will Your Résumé Beat An Applicant Tracking System (ATS)? • Wednesday, Oct. 28: Well-O-Ween: Paint Night • Wednesday, Oct. 28: Resource Panel: Preventing and Responding to Sexual Assault on Campus • Thursday, Oct. 29: Social Justice Town Hall: Whiteness and the Construction of Race • Thursday, Oct. 29: Well-O-Ween: Movie & Mindfulness • Thursday, Oct. 29: How to Improve Your Résumé Using Metrics • Friday, Oct. 30: Pop Up Shop: NIU Rec Custom T-Shirt Sale • Friday, Oct. 30: Trick-or-Treat Hunt • Saturday, Oct. 31: STEM Fest Celebration 2020 • Sunday, Nov. 1: Outdoor Adventures: Standup Paddleboard Yoga Clinic at the YMCA

View all upcoming events >

Huskie Spotlight

Kayla Jones
I have been part of a few student organizations during my time here at NIU. They all have had their own unique impact on my development, personally and professionally. Although I am entering my senior year, I still want to take a deeper look into organizations I have not been able to pursue.

Learn more about Kayla >

Wellness Tip

Register for Well-o-Ween Events

Looking to be well with a spooky twist this Halloween? Student Wellness is presenting a Halloween-themed wellness week with virtual activities each day to help you de-stress. You can be well and celebrate Halloween early by joining us in this 4-day event. Registration required.

Learn more >

From NIU Today

English department adopts statement of support for BIPOC students, faculty, staff
As the Department of English offers writing courses to almost every first-year student at NIU, they want our university community to know that they have committed to take action to ensure that English is a welcoming place for Black, Indigenous and people of color students, faculty and staff.

Read more at NIU Today >

Did you know?

File your FAFSA now.

Deadlines

Monday, Oct. 26: Last day for undergraduates to add a second-half-semester course with approval from the offering department or to course drop a second-half-semester course through their college advising office or the Academic Advising Office (Fall 2020)
Friday, Oct. 30: Last day for undergraduates to process a course withdrawal or semester withdrawal from a 16 week course through their college advising office or the Academic Advising Office for those students with no college affiliation. (Fall 2020)
Tuesday, Dec. 1: Deadline for Returning Student Sexual Misconduct Awareness and Prevention Training

Featured Key Moment
America’s most enduring institutions are those created to meet specific needs and allowed to evolve as those needs change. Such is the story of Northern Illinois University, which this year celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Center for Burma Studies established (1986)
NIU’s strong reputation in Southeast Asian Studies was put to the test in the 1980s when the national association of Burma scholars (known as the Burma Studies Group) was seeking a location for its extensive collection. Learn more about the Center for Burma Studies.

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	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.