March 16, 2026

 The Presidential Commission on Well-being proudly presents NIU’s annual Well-being Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 16 in the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.

Faculty, staff and students are all invited to attend and engage in a variety of free prizes, DIY self-care kits and opportunities to learn about your well-being. Campus and community partners will provide attendees with interactive activities, services and information focused on “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind and Healthy Spirit.”  A release for staff will be granted and more information will be announced in the following weeks.

Interested in hosting a table at the fair? Contact Sarah Moskal at smoskal1@niu.edu for more information.

The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) has implemented enhancements to the systems supporting NIU’s remote access VPN service to improve reliability, security and overall performance for off-campus connections.

The VPN service continues to be accessed using the same address: vpn.niu.edu.

Most users should not notice any changes when connecting. Faculty and staff who regularly use the VPN are encouraged to verify their connection and confirm that access to the campus resources they rely on continue to function as expected.

These improvements are part of NIU’s ongoing efforts to maintain a secure and dependable technology environment that supports teaching, research and university operations.

If you experience issues connecting to the VPN or accessing campus resources, please contact the NIU Service Desk:

Additional information about NIU remote access services is available on the DoIT website

Each year the Presidential Commissions recognize faculty, staff, students and community members who have helped make our campus a welcoming, diverse and inclusive place to live, learn and work. Nominations for these awards are now open and the deadlines for nominations are below:

Learn more about individual awards and submit your nominations by visiting the Presidential Commissions awards webpage.

Dust off your clubs and represent the Huskies! The NIU Summer Golf League is officially recruiting players of all skill levels for the upcoming season at Buena Vista Golf Course in DeKalb.

Season Dates:

The Details:

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a total beginner, come enjoy the fresh air and friendly competition.

Ready to Tee Off? To inquire about team openings or want to bring your own team, please contact Golf.league.niu@gmail.com.

As Student Wellness prepares for our upcoming annual Spring Into Wellness Week April 4-10, 2026, we are reaching out to explore opportunities for collaboration and cross-promotion across campus. We would love to partner in ways that highlight the great wellness-focused work already happening in other departments on campus. If your department or office hosting an event related to wellness during this week, please email BeWell@niu.edu by March 20, 2026, if you'd like it to be included in Spring Into Wellness week. Our goal is to create a unified campus-wide effort that supports student well-being and increases awareness of available resources and programming. We truly appreciate any support you’re able to provide. 

The Office of the President seeks nominations for individuals to serve on the Presidential Commissions. The NIU Presidential Commissions serve as advisory groups to the president of the university and were created to help foster an inclusive environment for the NIU campus and community.  Through collaborative efforts and research, the commissions provide advice and/or recommendations to the president that foster a sense of belonging and increase opportunities for all members of the Huskie community to flourish. Accordingly, we seek nominations for individuals with interests, experiences, or expertise related to the commissions’ work to enrich their efforts and ensure that their recommendations reflect the diverse viewpoints of the NIU community. Please note, the commission requires one 1.5-2-hour meeting per month during the academic year, and the ability to volunteer for additional subcommittees.

To nominate someone or self-nominate, please complete the online application which seeks general information and a brief statement of interest by Friday, March 20, 2026 The Commission review panel will evaluate all nominations, and the nominees will receive an email notification of their acceptance by May 15, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Wright at ewright1@niu.edu.  

NIU Presidential Commission Application

Explore the Presidential Advisory Groups website for more details and insights into the commissions.  

Join us for two special events featuring Oneida artist Camille Billie, whose work explores Indigenous identity, storytelling and community through printmaking and visual art. Hosted by Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and cosponsored by Pick Museum of Anthropology.

Artist Talk: “Expressions of Indigeneity”
Date: March 18.
Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Location: Cole Hall 100.

Printmaking Workshop: “Reclaiming Space”
Date: March 19.
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: School of Art and Design, Room 408.

The Grill at Huskie Den is going green for the day! On March 17, we’re swapping the regular menu for a special St. Patrick’s Day lunch buffet filled with festive flavors. Join us from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or while supplies last) for a limited-time celebration and enjoy a taste of Irish-inspired comfort. 

Menu:

Cost is $6.99 for one trip through the buffet. 

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: