NIU's Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus Center’s inaugural The Real Talk Conference: Bridging Race, Identity and Community is happening on Friday Oct. 27, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center. Registration is now open.
In a cross-divisional partnership between the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the conference will offer space to engage in powerful conversations that promote understanding, increase empathy and facilitate change in our community. Experience dynamic speakers and interactive sessions led by NIU's students, faculty, staff and community members. Keynote speakers include Dr. Tia Brown McNair and Ainka Jackson and featured speakers include Dr. Caleb Stephens, Michelle Donahoe and Dr. LaVonya Bennett. Learn more about the speakers and the conference by visiting go.niu.edu/real-talk-conference.
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Celebrating our 116th Homecoming
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Homecoming event invites Huskies to enjoy DeKalb County’s Bold Spirits
Along with Huskie spirit, this year’s Homecoming celebration will showcase Bold Spirits. As part of a new, unique event, Huskies are invited to kick off the 116th Homecoming at Jonomac Orchard in Malta. Scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, Huskie Hour with DeKalb County Spirits will include samples from DeKalb County’s local breweries, wineries and distilleries.
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Get your trivia team ready.
Gather your colleagues and come test your knowledge about NIU by competing in the Huskie Employee Happy Hour and Trivia Contest on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. Join us for this fun evening in the Huskie Den of the Holmes Student Center for a chance to socialize with your fellow Huskies and win prizes.
Registration is now open and you can register as an individual or as a group of up to six.
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Homecoming Office Decorating Contest
Display your #HuskiePride by turning your department office space red and black for our Homecoming Office Decorating Contest. Please complete the registration form to indicate that your department would like to participate in the contest and would like the event judges to visit your office for consideration as the contest winners.
A small starter kit of decorating supplies will be available for the first 30 departments that complete the registration form by Sept. 21. These kits will be available for pick-up during the Homecoming Kickoff event at MLK Commons on Monday, October 9. Departments are encouraged to use additional supplies to supplement those that will be provided.
Judging will take place on Wednesday, October 11, so all decorating should be complete by no later than 9 a.m. on this day. Please contact Cathy Doederlein (cdoederlein1@niu.edu) with any questions.
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Learn how to manage "Crucial Conversations."
Human Resource Services invites you to join one of our two-day training courses, “Crucial Conversations.” Led by John Acardo, senior associate vice president and chief human resource officer, the training course focuses on fostering effective communication and mastering dialogues that are crucial to an organization’s health and effective performance. If you have an interest in considering advanced skills for engagement, efficiency and equity in your work, we encourage you to join us for “Crucial Conversations.” We anticipate holding these training courses during the fall and spring terms. The cost for the two-day training is $350 and covers the cost of materials and meals. The presenter is not paid for this activity. Dates and location are TBD and limited to 24 attendees. If you are interested in this training opportunity, please contact us at EmployeeWellbeing@niu.edu or Karen Smith at 815-753-9191.
Football game day parking lot closures.
Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, NIU is hosting a home football game that will impact parking. The following parking lots will be closed beginning midnight Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, and will reopen one hour after the football game ends:
- Lot PS, southwest of Stevenson Towers.
- Lots L and K, southeast of the stadium.
- Lots H and 35, west of Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center.
- Stadium Drives North, East, South and West.
Vehicles left in these lots without an NIU Football Game Day Parking pass may be relocated at the owner’s expense.
Students and faculty/staff who usually park in these areas are asked to seek alternative, legal parking solutions during this time frame. To determine whether this will impact you, please review the map so that you can plan accordingly.
If you have any questions, please contact Campus Parking Services at 815-753-1045 or via email at parking@niu.edu.
Audio-Visual services available at the Holmes Student Center.
If you're planning an event at the Holmes Student Center, we've got you covered with our comprehensive in-house audio and visual services. Our dedicated AV team is committed to making your event a success by providing a seamless and professional audio-visual experience. With our skilled professional staff on-site, you can trust us to assist you with all your audio and visual needs. Some of our meeting rooms even come equipped with pre-set technology, ensuring your event runs smoothly from start to finish. Please note that any event scheduled within 2 weeks of the event date may only receive basic audio-visual equipment and support.
- Audio - Poor audio quality can turn any event, big or small, into an unpleasant one before you even get into the room! Our department strives to ensure the best audio quality possible for your event. We also offer audio support for musical acts ranging from live bands to DJ dance parties.
- Lighting - We understand the importance of ambiance, which is why we offer expert lighting services along with professional lighting technicians to enhance the visual appeal of your event space. From small colored uplighting accents to large scale stage lighting productions, HSC AV can help heighten the look of your event.
- Streaming - If your department or organization is looking to extend your event's reach, HSC AV can offer streaming support. Our high quality cameras and microphones can capture your event and broadcast it out through your preferred channel be it Teams, YouTube, and more.
If you are looking to make your event one your guests will remember, feel free to reach out to our Reservations and Event Management team at hsc@niu.edu or visit the Holmes Student Center website. We’re here to help your event be one your guests remember!
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Sponsored Programs to host introduction to indirect costs and grants sessions.
Indirect costs (also referred to as Facilities and Administrative or F&A costs) are a critical component of grant applications and awards, yet the concept of these costs can sometimes be difficult to grasp. To help explain these concepts, SPA is offering two short sessions covering the basics of indirect costs from pre- to post-award. Sessions are virtual via Teams and are open to all. Those working with grant funds and indirect cost accounts are encouraged to attend.
- Budgeting and Allocation of Indirect Costs – Pre-award Overview (1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27) This session explains what indirect costs are, how our university’s indirect cost rates are calculated and applied to grant budgets, and our pre-award distribution approval process.
- Recovery and Campus Reimbursement of Indirect Costs – Post-award Overview (1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28) This session provides an overview of SPA’s process for calculating and reimbursing campus units for these costs and best practices for monitoring this recovery, including how to review monthly SPA indirect cost reports.
For more information and to register, please visit our Sponsored Programs Newsblog.
President's Office seeks applications for President Staff Fellow Program.
The Office of the President seeks to identify a member of the Supportive Professional Staff or Operating Staff interested in serving a year-long professional development fellowship. The Office of the President Staff Fellow will be assigned special projects needed to carry out the functions of the Office of the President and will be afforded professional development opportunities. The fellow will be appointed for the 2024 calendar year and will report to the university’s chief strategy officer. Learn more about the President Staff Fellow Program, including how to apply. The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 29.
BOT and Presidential Professorships nominations now being accepted.
Nominations for the 2024 Board of Trustees and PresidentialProfessorships are now being accepted. Please consider nominating a colleague for one of these prestigious awards.
More information about each award and the criteria and procedure for nomination is available by visiting the links below.
All of the professorships share the same nomination deadline of Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.
Nominations now being accepted for honorary doctoral degrees.
Nominations for honorary doctoral degrees to be awarded from Northern Illinois University are now being accepted.
Awarding an honorary degree is an opportunity for the university to recognize someone especially outstanding in a field of interest to the university. It is necessary, though not sufficient, for a nominee to be accomplished and renowned in their field; an honorary-degree recipient should be clearly exceptional among other outstanding persons in that field.
While a connection to Northern Illinois University or to the state of Illinois is not a requirement for nomination, any such relationship should be noted and will be considered during the selection process. Learn more about the nomination process.
Schedule your hearing test today.
Are you exposed to loud sounds or music? Do you often ask others to repeat what they said? NIU students, faculty and staff are invited to take part in a free 30-minute hearing test at The Hearing Conservation Center, sponsored by the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders.
Services include: hearing health screener, noise exposure assessment, outer/middle ear screening,and hearing protection consultation. Email hcc@niu.edu or call 815-753-6246 to set up your screening. Hearing tests take place at Wirtz Hall, room 314 from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Thursdays or 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Fridays. Learn more at go.niu.edu/hcc
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SPA to Offer SciENcv training in preparation for NSF October mandate.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) will require the use of SciENcv to prepare biographical sketches as well as current and pending (other) support for proposals submitted on or after Oct. 23, 2023. Use of SciENcv will also be required for any key personnel documents submitted after this date related to post-award requests (e.g., if adding a new Co-PI).
To assist faculty, SPA is hosting a live training session 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Office hours will also be available for drop-in assistance 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11.
For more information and to register, please visit our Sponsored Programs Newsblog.
Sponsored Programs to host introduction to indirect costs and grants sessions.
Indirect costs (also referred to as Facilities and Administrative or F&A costs) are a critical component of grant applications and awards, yet the concept of these costs can sometimes be difficult to grasp. To help explain these concepts, SPA is offering two short sessions covering the basics of indirect costs from pre- to post-award. Sessions are virtual via Teams and are open to all. Those working with grant funds and indirect cost accounts are encouraged to attend.
1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27: Budgeting and Allocation of Indirect Costs — Pre-award Overview. This session explains what indirect costs are, how the university’s indirect cost rates are calculated and applied to grant budgets, and the pre-award distribution approval process.
1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28: Recovery and Campus Reimbursement of Indirect Costs — Post-award Overview. This session provides an overview of SPA’s process for calculating and reimbursing campus units for these costs and best practices for monitoring this recovery, including how to review monthly SPA indirect cost reports.
For more information and to register, please visit our Sponsored Programs Newsblog.
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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:
- Lesley Gilbert
- Emilie Vanhaelst
- Jeremy Benson
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Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Insights
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Higher Learning Commission accreditation validates the quality of an institution as a whole and evaluates multiple aspects of an institution, including its academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources.
The HLC site visit is scheduled for March 25-26, 2024.
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- Through Oct. 15: Latino Heritage Month
- Monday, Sept. 18: Constitution Day Program: Un-fathering the Constitution
- Tuesday, Sept. 19: National Voter Registration Day at NIU
- Tuesday, Sept. 19: Introductory Commercial Card Training
- Tuesday, Sept. 19: Career Fair Prep Workshop
- Tuesday, Sept. 19: NIU Esports Valorant vs Toldeo
- Wednesday, Sept. 20: Flu Vaccine Clinics at NIU (Appointments still available!)
- Wednesday, Sept. 20: Food Truck Wednesdays
- Wednesday, Sept. 20: IT/STEM Fair
- Wednesday, Sept. 20: Outdoor Adventures: Hourly Lagoon Boat Rentals
- Wednesday, Sept. 20: Outdoor Adventures: Day Cave registration deadline
- Thursday, Sept. 21: Board of Trustees (BOT) Meeting
- Thursday, Sept. 21: Thirty-first Annual Study Abroad Fair
- Thursday, Sept. 21: "Good Food" Opening Reception
- Thursday, Sept. 21: Rebuilding Democracy Lecture Series: St. Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris
- Thursday, Sept. 21: Outdoor Adventures: Stand-up Paddleboard Yoga (SUPYO)
- Friday, Sept. 22 through Sunday Sept. 24: Family Weekend
- Saturday, Sept. 23: Northern Illinois University Football vs Tulsa
- Saturday, Sept. 23: Outdoor Adventures: Clean the Kish
- Sunday, Sept. 24: 43rd Annual DeKalb Corn Classic
- Sunday, Sept. 24: Taste of DeKalb
- Monday, Sept. 25: David Raymond Technology in Teaching Presents 2023 Award Recipient, Victor Gensini
- Thursday, Sept. 28: The Landscape of Loss: Navigating Gently and with Resilience
- Friday, Oct. 6: Outdoor Adventures: First Friday Evening Hikes
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An Evening with Chef Bryan: An Edible Campus and Huskie Food Pantry Fundraising Event
In partnership with Campus Dining Services and Student Affairs, Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center will host “An Evening with Chef Bryan” from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, featuring Chef Bryan Flower, assistant director of Food Systems Innovation.
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The farm-to-table menu features roast pork, chicken and vegetarian main courses along with a feast of produce harvested from NIU’s Edible Campus Market Garden as well as local farms.
Seating is limited, so tickets must be purchased in advance through the NIU Foundation website. All proceeds benefit Edible Campus and the Huskie Food Pantry. Learn more and register at go.niu.edu/EdibleCampusDinner.
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Financial Month End Close
The month of September is closing for all financial reporting activity at noon Monday, Oct. 9. Journals not posted at that time will go into October business. Submit September journals before end of business Friday, Oct. 6. Final September reports are scheduled to be available Tuesday, Oct. 10. In addition, October reports are scheduled to be available Wednesday, Oct. 11. These and other important dates can be found on the Controller's Office website.
Thursday, Sept. 28: Nomination deadline for the Richard A. Flournoury Award
Friday, Sept. 29: President Staff Fellow application deadline
Sunday, Oct. 1: Employee Tuition Waiver deadline for fall 2023 semester
Monday, Oct. 9: BOT and Presidential Professorships Nomination Deadline
Friday, Oct. 27: Nomination Deadline for Honorary Doctoral Degrees
Friday, Nov. 3: Nomination Deadline for the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024: Nomination Deadline for the Excellence in Online Teaching Award
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Fall enrollment: An academically resilient new freshman class, transfer students find a new home, re-enrollment surges
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The fall 2023 freshman class at Northern Illinois University continues to demonstrate that high-achieving students from a variety of backgrounds have found NIU to be their university of choice. The incoming class is highly diverse and includes an increased number of new transfer students this fall over last. Huskies are again re-enrolling from year to year at pre-pandemic levels, and more students are choosing to live on campus. These are just a few of the facts that make this year’s class yet another reason to see a steady and promising future ahead. Read more.
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NIU’s 2023 Lincoln Laureate aims to become a missionary doctor
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In many ways, Merveille Muyizere has always been on a mission.
To make her family proud, to help others, to inspire.
“I don’t have to wait until the future to make a difference in people’s lives,” she tells herself. “I decided to start when I was young and strong.” Read more.
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This message has been approved for distribution by the appropriate NIU party and is distributed by the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications. NIU Mass Email Policy.
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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.
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