Nominations still being accepted for the Patricia S. Siebrasse Administrative Professional Award for Excellence.
Together with the Office of the President, the Administrative Professionals Advisory Council (APAC) presents the Particia S. Siebrasse Administrative Professional Award for Excellence each year. APAC has extended the deadline and is accepting nominations until the end of day, Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
Operating Staff Council calls for candidates.
The NIU Operating Staff Council (OSC) has six vacancies on the council to fill this year. All six vacancies will be for three-year terms, starting July 1, 2022.
The OSC encourages you to run if you are:
- A civil service employee in a status position.
- Have your supervisor's permission.
- Can serve approximately five hours each month for council meetings and subcommittee participation.
The OSC is an integral part of NIU's shared governance system through its participation, communication, advisement and assistance on the resolution of issues and the formulation of policies relevant to the general welfare of all operating staff employees. The OSC is committed to performing its duties in a professional and conscientious manner in the furtherance of the NIU mission.
The council meets at 9 a.m. on the first Thursday of every month, 12 months a year. Currently, we are meeting in a dual format: Microsoft Teams and in Altgeld Hall.
Interested in Running?
Complete the Candidate Data Sheet. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 15, 2022.
If you are unable to submit it electronically, please print the form and drop off at Altgeld Hall 103 or scan to fmitchell@niu.edu.
Questions regarding elections? Contact Rave Meyer, vice president, Operating Staff Council, at rmeyer@niu.edu.
Transition to Blackboard Ultra Course View timeline.
Since it’s introduction to NIU in 2019, Blackboard Ultra Course View evolved from a core set of essential features to a robust learning platform with over 50 additional features added, most planned for summer and fall 2022. At the same time, Blackboard guaranteed that Original Course View will remain available through the end of 2023. Because Blackboard is used by nearly 100% of NIU faculty and students, we are providing sufficient time to make the transition to the Ultra Course View.
The plan is full migration to Ultra Course View no later than Dec. 31, 2023. It is recommended that faculty plan to teach their fall 2023 courses in Ultra Course View. All spring 2024 courses will use Ultra Course View.
Learn more online about the transition to Blackboard Ultra Course View. Faculty, instructors and staff who want to make the transition for fall can apply for the Blackboard Ultra Transition Academy. The priority deadline for applications is April 15. Applications will be reviewed, and notifications of acceptance will be sent by April 22. Applications received after April 15 will be considered pending availability, and notifications of acceptance will be sent within one week of submission.
Those who have experience teaching in Ultra can apply to be Ultra Ambassadors.
Online Teaching Symposium call for proposals extended to April 8.
The Online Teaching Symposium is a two-day celebration of our outstanding faculty and instructors, an opportunity to connect with your colleagues in new ways and a dynamic learning experience you build to meet your personal learning needs. For 2022, we are excited to have both online and in-person components for the symposium for the first time since 2019. You can participate online Tuesday, March 24, or either online or in person Wednesday, March 25.
We are looking for NIU faculty and staff to share at the symposium their own experiences with online teaching. The proposal requirements are brief and informal, so no need to stress over the perfect title or abstract. Submission deadline is Friday, April 8. Learn more and submit a proposal at citl.niu.edu/ots.
Deacon Davis Diversity Award nominations sought.
The Presidential Commission on Race and Ethnicity (PCORE) announces the call for nominations for the 2022 Deacon Davis Award. This award recognizes significant contributions made by students, faculty, staff, departments or organizations to the improvement in the climate and conditions for racial and ethnic groups on the NIU campus.
A list of previous award recipients can be found on the commission’s website.
Nomination Process
Nominations are invited from current NIU undergraduate, graduate and professional students; faculty, supportive professional staff and civil service staff; and academic units, offices, programs or organizations.
Nominators should complete the online nomination form and upload one additional letter of support. Letters can also be emailed to Alex Pitner at apitner1@niu.edu.
Completed nominations will be reviewed by the PCORE Awards Committee. Nominators and nominees may be contacted by the commission for additional information as needed.
Previous award recipients and commission members who have served less than three years are not eligible for the award. The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
The Deacon Davis Award is a non-monetary award. Awards will be bestowed upon the selected recipients in late April. Contact Felicia R. Bohanon, PCORE chair at fbohanon@niu.edu or
815-753-1867 with questions.
Open forums scheduled for Vice President of Student Affairs candidates.
The campus community has the opportunity to participate in a series of hybrid open forums where they can meet and ask questions of the finalists for the position of Vice President for Student Affairs. Those attending virtually will NOT have the opportunity to ask questions. All participants, virtual or in person, are encouraged to fill out an evaluation of the candidate. Each session will last 60 minutes.
Links to join the virtual Zoom sessions are available by clicking on the candidates below. The schedule for the forums is as follows:
- Candidate 1 Monday, April 4 at 3:30 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center, Heritage Room or via Zoom
- Candidate 2 Thursday, April 7 at 3 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center, Illinois Room or via Zoom
- Candidate 3 Monday, April 11 at 3 p.m. in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium or via Zoom
- Candidate 4 Wednesday, April 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center, Illinois Room or via Zoom
The names of each finalist will be released 48 hours before their visit to campus. View more information about the search for the Vice President of Student Affairs is available by visiting the Provost office website.
Presidential commissions accepting membership nominations.
The Office of the President invites nominations of faculty, staff and students for appointment to the presidential commissions for terms to begin in fall 2022. Self-nominations are welcome.
Forward nominations, including name, title, classification (faculty, instructor, supportive professional staff, operating staff, undergraduate student, graduate student), email address and a brief statement summarizing your qualifications and desire to serve, to Pat Erickson, Office of University Council, at pje@niu.edu.
Have questions about printing with RR Donnelley?
Questions about printing services? Confused by the new print storefront? Suggestions for improvement RR Donnelley (RRD) — NIU’s new preferred print partner — sets aside 45 minutes every Wednesday afternoon to host open discussions for NIU colleagues to ask questions, seek answers and in general understand the RRD operation.
Join us via Google Meet from 2 to 2:45 p.m. (Central Time) Wednesdays through April 27. Phone
+1 636-707-2680 (PIN: 707249136).
