Week of Aug. 31, 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

Making Responsible Decisions During the Weekend
Last Thursday President Freeman sent a message to all students regarding weekend activities and the consequences that will occur if a student’s behavior endangers the health and safety of others. “The university is aware that some students have given into temptation – knowingly making poor choices with complete disregard for the safety of fellow students, professors, staff and more by organizing or joining large parties. This type of behavior is in direct contrast to what it means to be a Huskie, and I’m calling on our entire student body to do what’s right.” Read President Freeman’s full message.

Updated Guidance on Face Masks—No Masks with Exhalation Valves or Vents
The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control. Masks with one-way valves or vents allow exhaled air to be expelled out through holes in the material. This can allow exhaled respiratory droplets to reach others and potentially spread the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, these type of masks are not acceptable face-coverings to use while on campus.

In addition, bandanas and gaiter masks—made of thin, stretch tubes of fabric down the neck—do not effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19, and are also no longer acceptable face-coverings to use while on campus.

Notices

Update Your Information in Your MyNIU Profile
At the beginning of each semester, it’s important to review your profile in MyNIU to make sure you have the following information up to date:

• Your current cell phone number.

• Your permanent address.

• Your local address. If you’re living on or near campus, update this as your local address. Learn how to look up your mailing address in the res halls.
• Your emergency contact information.

• Your financial account for direct deposit. Frequently, students receive federal financial assistance which is in excess of the charges on their student account and can be refunded to the student. Such refunds will be automatically processed and issued to the student via check or direct deposit. For a more secure and timely refund, direct deposit is encouraged.

Zoom Now Available for Faculty, Instructors and Teaching Assistants
NIU has partnered with Zoom to enhance remote teaching capabilities. Accounts have been established for all faculty, instructors and teaching assistants and can be accessed immediately. You can login using your NIU Account ID and password, just like you would to login to Blackboard or Microsoft O365.

NIU has focused on launching Zoom for the start of the academic year. Staff and students will not have access to create or manage Zoom meetings at this time; however they can attend a meeting that has been set up for their course. We have heard there is a greater interest in Zoom and are considering options to deploy Zoom more broadly on campus.

Please review our Zoom web page to get details about how to get started and answers to questions you may have.

Stay connected wherever you go—download the NIU Mobile app.

The NIU Mobile app provides links to everything from campus resources, event calendars and tech guides to emergency information, campus maps, social media and more. You can now receive app notifications about important dates, campus events and information to keep you connected, engaged and productive.

We have added unique experiences for first-year students, returning-students, and our faculty and staff. Choose your experience when you download the app to your device, and change it any time using the avatar icon at the top of your screen.

110% Huskie Pride promotion

NIU students with a current valid ID will receive 10% off at many local dining and retail businesses through Sept. 19, 2020. View a list of local businesses that are offering discounts and get out there and explore DeKalb!

Policy Library Update – New Policy
A new policy has been posted on the Policy Library website and is open to review and comment for a 30-day period. This provides the NIU community the opportunity to consider and respond to the revised policy before it takes effect. The policy is:

• Vulnerability and Patch Management Policy

To submit a comment, visit the Policy Library website. The revised policy appears on the right side of the screen. Click on the policy link. You will be asked to sign into SharePoint. All comments are due by Friday, Sept. 18. If you have any questions, please contact University Policy Librarian Rebecca Hunt.

Events

• Monday, Aug. 31: PAL tutoring begins • Monday, Aug. 31: Involvement Fair • Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Thursday, Sept. 3: PAL Virtual Open House • Tuesday, Sept. 1: Involvement Fair • Tuesday, Sept. 1: Academic Diversity Centers Open House • Tuesday, Sept. 1: Preparing Latinos to become the next generation of leaders • Tuesday, Sept. 1: Starting the Semester Strong • Wednesday, Sept. 2: Voter Registration Drive • Wednesday, Sept. 2: Virtual Resource Fair - First-year Success Series • Thursday, Sept. 3: Social Justice Town Hall: The Power of Your Vote • Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day (university closed) • Wednesday, Sept. 9: NIU Esports Varsity Tryouts • Thursday, Sept. 10: Evening with Innovators • Wednesday, Sept. 16: What Lurks Beneath: How Soil Microbes Support Plant Health

View all upcoming events >

Huskie Spotlight

Matt McCoy
I am double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Saxophone Performance: Jazz Studies. My primary reason for attending NIU was because of the fantastic jazz and engineering programs offered, which helped solidify my desire to double major at NIU.

Learn more about Matt >

Wellness Tip

Learning more about wellness
Being well is more than just taking care of yourself physically. It means supporting every dimension of your wellness: physical, occupational, intellectual, environmental, emotional, social, and spiritual. What wellness topics are important to you?

Learn more and take a survey >

From NIU Today

New and improved First-Year Success Series to help new Huskies feel at home
In a year unlike any other, new students will find continued support and resources through a revamped First-Year Success Series designed to reach them both on and off campus.

Read more at NIU Today >

Did you know?

Deadlines

Monday, Aug. 31: Last day for undergraduates to add a first-half-semester course with approval from the offering department or to course drop a first-half-semester course through their college advising office or the Academic Advising Office.
Tuesday, Sept. 1: Last day to apply for Fall 2020 graduation via self-service in MyNIU.
Friday, Sept. 4: Last day for undergraduates to add a full-semester course with approval from the offering department or to course drop a full-semester course through their college advising office or the Academic Advising Office.
Friday, Sept. 4: The Student Health Insurance Online Enrollment and Waiver period deadline.

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.

College of Professional Studies (now Health & Human Sciences) established (1974)
Throughout Rhoten Smith’s presidency and well into that of his successor, the Academic Planning Committee and the Council of Academic Deans studied reorganization of the existing colleges. The structure they proposed was approved and went into effect on July 1, 1974, and for the most part continues on to this day. Learn more about the history of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

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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.