Good friends aren't hard to find.

NIU is a close community, which means you don’t have to look far to find friends. Being active on campus, both inside and outside the classroom, is the key to developing lifelong friendships. Dive in and find your community by taking advantage of the numerous organizations, clubs, spaces, activities and events that are available.

We're excited to welcome Huskies home for our 118th Homecoming celebration happening the week of Sept. 28 - Oct. 5, 2025..

Tell us why you love NIU!  Adobe is sponsoring our Homecoming Video Competition and is asking students to submit a 30-60 second self-made video sharing why they love NIU and why they have #HuskiePride. Winners of the video contest will be announced during Homecoming Week and the first place winner will recieve $500, the second place winner will receive $300 and the third place winner will receive $200.

Local fans, students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to join the Huskies for a down home celebration in downtown DeKalb.  

The Huskie Homecoming Block Party has something for everyone—kidzone, classic car show, March of the Huskies, pep rally, food trucks, discounts at local businesses and much more!

Polish your career skills at the Career Success Clinic!

Career Services is excited to host the Career Success Clinic, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 16, in the Capitol Room and Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet one-on-one with a professional recruiter and get valuable feedback on your resume, LinkedIn profile, elevator pitch and more. Chat with experienced NIU Alumni, have your professional headshot taken and browse Barsema’s Closet and Huskies Closet pop-ups for professional wear. RSVP is required. Sign up to secure your spot!

Student-only DEAL - Fall into new habits at NIU!

Have you been considering changing a few nutrition habits and you’re looking for guidance? Do you know what to do, but need accountability to get there? NIU Recreation has you covered. Meet with one of our Nutrition Coachesto learn eating strategies for your nutrition challenge – whether you want to lose weight, get stronger at the gym, improve a health marker, or build a better relationship with food, we’re here to help. Sign up before the end of September for only $29, one-time fee, meet with a Nutrition Coach through the fall semester! Better yet, bundle with 6 personal training sessions for only $159.

Hey Huskies! We need your help!  The Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications Division (EMMC) produces dozens of videos and thousands of photos each year for use both within and outside of the Huskie community. This includes printed materials, social media and Web content, as well as videos promoting classes, programs and activities.   

If you love the camera and would enjoy helping your school, we need you! The EMMC team is updating its diverse group of students we tap regularly to appear in these videos and photos throughout the year. It’s easy, takes just a little of your time and we promise you a Huskie t-shirt each time you participate. Interested?

Give us just a bit of your information, along with a selfie, and we’ll contact you in plenty of time to make it work for your schedule.   

Exciting news, Huskies! You’ve now got late-night food options at Stevo. Stevenson’s late-night window will be open from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday starting Monday, Sept. 15. Satisfy your cravings with some fan favs like bone-in wings, tenders, fries, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and more. Meal exchange and other payment types accepted.

Northern Illinois University will host its annual flu clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in the Holmes Student Center Ballroom.

Please note: COVID-19 and High-Dose flu vaccines will not be available at this clinic.

Appointments are required. Visit the Flu Vaccine Clinic Information and Instructions page to schedule your appointment and download the required Client Consent Form. Go to: Flu Vaccine Clinic Information and Instructions.

To reschedule or cancel, use the “Reschedule” button in your confirmation email.

For questions about vaccine eligibility or insurance coverage, contact the DeKalb County Health Department at 815-758-6673. For assistance with booking or event details, contact NIU Employee Well-being at 815-753-9191 or email ksmith12@niu.edu.

Student Insurance Waiver Deadline Approaching

Students enrolled in 9 or more credit hours are automatically billed $1,378.00 for student health insurance for Fall 2025. You can find out more information regarding the plan at the United Healthcare Student Resource website. 

If you have comparable insurance and would like to cancel the plan the Student Health Insurance Enrollment and Waiver site is open through September 30.  You will find the link to Enroll/Waive in the blue box on our website.  This is an online process only.
 
Have any questions?  Email us at studentinsurance@niu.edu.  

The waiver deadline is firm; therefore, students who do not waive the student health insurance by September 30 will be enrolled for annual coverage under the plan and no refund will be given.

Register for the IIN Sustainability and Social Innovation Research Conference

The Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) is a statewide network that advances research, public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurship to support innovation and economic development in Illinois. The Sustainability and Social Innovation Research Conference, taking place on Thursday, Sept. 25 and Friday, Sept. 26,  will provide a forum for NIU faculty and students to discuss their work on projects that are important to the future of Illinois and learn about research conducted by university faculty and collaborators from around the state. Topics will include climate resilience, food systems, advances in infrastructure and technology, equitable planning, ecosystem restoration, and social innovation to advance education and economic development.

Community School of the Arts Music Classes for ages 1-5 begin Sunday, Sept. 21

Toddlers ages 1-5 sing, dance, play and have fun in CSA Prelude and Development children’s music education classes.

Sign up today and bring your kids to the NIU Music Building for their very first music classes.

Please visit the CSA website for schedules and details and to register. Call 815-753-1450 for more information.