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*Editor’s note:  The Peer Mentor Application deadline has been extended to March 20th

The Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (OSEEL) is accepting applications for peer mentors for a variety of programs during the 2017-2018 academic year: Research Rookies, Huskie Service Scholars and NIU Service Leaders.

If you are a rising sophomore, junior or senior interested in participating in the programs mentioned above and would like to take your experience to the next level by mentoring and assisting your fellow students, apply to be a peer mentor

As a peer mentor, you will connect with students in your program, facilitate small and large group discussions, provide program-specific resources and receive a stipend or hourly pay. Peer mentors must be sophomores, juniors or seniors enrolled full-time at NIU, eligible and committed to the program they mentor, and dedicated to helping other NIU students succeed both in and out of the classroom. Additionally, Research Rookie peer mentors must have previously participated in the program for at least one year. 

The application deadline for all programs is Wednesday, March 15.

Interested students can apply here or contact the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning at engage@niu.edu or 815-753-8154 for more information.

 

Date posted: February 15, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on Become a peer mentor through OSEEL

Categories: Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

White tablecloths. Attentive waitstaff. Three-course prix fixe gourmet menu. Wine selections. Opportunity to help educate NIU students.

Sound like the ideal lunch break? It is, and you can enjoy it at NIU’s student-run restaurant, Ellington’s, which reopens for the spring semester on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Photo by Michelle LaVigne/Creative Services
The dining room of Ellington’s located inside of the Holmes Student Center begins to fill up for lunch. The preparing of the menu, meals, service, and everything else needed to run a restaurant is handled by the students who are enrolled in the school of Family Consumer and Nutrition Sciences. The experience of running Ellinton’s gives them the full real-life opportunity of seeing first hand what it’s like to operate a restaurant.

Students in the hospitality and nutrition programs partner to develop a restaurant theme and menu. They have a six-week window to prepare the opening of Ellington’s, which is located in the Holmes Student Center, in the heart of the campus. They are tasked with building a menu around current seasonal fruits and vegetables to make nutritious and cost-effective menus. The groups are also responsible for the restaurant’s managerial functions such as marketing, costing and supervision, making this a truly experiential opportunity.

Like many of today’s top eateries, Ellington’s features seasonal and locally sourced food. That’s not just because it’s trendy; it’s because it makes good business sense.

“Our goal is for students to learn and understand how to make the best of what’s in season and what’s local. It’s a smart financial aspect to running a restaurant. There’s no point in spending money for ingredients shipped from around the country when you can get quality local ingredients cheaper,” said Chef Bryan Flower, food systems lab coordinator for NIU’s Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences program.

Since a three-course lunch at Ellington’s is only $10, the goal is to be as cost effective as possible, using available local ingredients, Flower explained. Another focus of the restaurant is to offer a three-course meal that meets the requirements of the American Heart Association’s heart-healthy guidelines.

Students learn how to analyze their menus in order to disclose the nutritional data on the menu for the consumer to view.

“It is always a challenge to make nutritious food tasty and well-presented, but that is a fun aspect of the class,” said Diana Garcia, a nutrition, diets and wellness major as well as a teaching assistant for the class.

“Taste is very important; if people aren’t eating the food, they aren’t getting the nutrients,” said Josephine Umoren, coordinator of NIU’s Nutrition Dietetics Program.

Menus change daily every Tuesday and Thursday for the first four weeks, but don’t despair if you miss one, as they come around one more time in the final four weeks of the semester. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Visit Ellington’s website to learn more or to make a lunch reservation.

Date posted: February 14, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on Fresh for the spring, Ellington’s restaurant reopens

Categories: Community Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

Northern Illinois University has announced the 2017-18 winners of the Forward, Together Forward Scholarships.

In honor of the five Huskies whose lives were lost Feb. 14, 2008, Forward, Together Forward scholars must demonstrate a strength of character through traits such as a strong work ethic, motivation, inspiration, a high regard for others, integrity and intellectual curiosity.

This year’s recipients are:

  • Juan Cibrian of Mapleton, IL, a junior double-major in psychology and Spanish business and translation 
  • Luis Flores of Oswego, IL, a junior nursing major with a minor in family and child studies
  • Mitchell Huftalin of Rockford, IL, a sophomore double-major in communication studies and Spanish business and translation
  • Zahra Muhsin of Dixon, IL, a senior English studies major, with a minor in psychology
  • Tariana Sandkam of Buffalo Grove, IL, a junior nursing major

“Our Forward, Together Forward scholars are shining examples of NIU President Doug Baker’s vision for all NIU students – well-rounded and innovative scholars prepared for success and satisfaction in whatever paths they choose after graduation,” Executive Vice President and Provost Lisa Freeman said.

“These scholarships are awarded on the basis of not only strong academic performance but also selflessness and service to others,” Freeman added. “These students strive not only to improve themselves, but also to improve their peers and the world around them. As they work toward these goals, they honor the memory of five of their predecessors whose lives continue to make a difference through these awards.”

The Forward, Together Forward Scholarship is one of NIU’s most prestigious scholarships. Up to five $4,000 scholarships are awarded annually to continuing undergraduate students.

This year’s winners will be honored at a private on-campus ceremony in early March; the university will release biographical information at that time.

 

Date posted: February 14, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on 2017 Forward, Together Forward scholars named

Categories: Centerpiece Faculty & Staff Students

The Presidential Commission on Interfaith Initiatives will be hosting its third dialogue of the academic year from 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the Founder’s Memorial Library staff lounge, on the library’s lower level.

The February topic is “Love and Kindness: A discussion about the role of love in our belief systems today.”

Valentine’s Day puts love and kindness on the minds of many during the month of February, and the topic has gained further interest in the midst of America’s current political climate. Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to attend, listen and engage in conversation on how perspectives on love are influenced by different faith or belief systems.

During the evening of discussion, Lise Schlosser, who spearheads the “Kindness Counts” campaign to identify local needs and empower folks to respond with kindness, will share her take on the topic and how it moved her to take action in our community through a project called “The World Needs More Love Letters.” Schlosser has a B.A. in anthropology (’97) and an M.A. in English (’06) from NIU and is a longtime community member.

Upcoming topics for 2017 include: “The Role of Spirituality in Forming Education” on Tuesday, March 21, and “Faith, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation” on Tuesday, April 18.

This event is approved for Business Passport and Honors Engaged.

For more information contact Andrew Pemberton at apemberton1@niu.edu.

Date posted: February 14, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on Interfaith Dialogue Series continues with ‘love and kindness’ theme

Categories: Community Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

NIU welcomes visiting Guatemalan-Maya artists Paula Nicho Cúmez and Pedro Rafaél González Chavajay as part of a two-week event for the exhibition “Visiones E Historias: Maya Paintings from Guatemala,” on view at the Art Museum through Thursday, Feb. 24. The show is part of the combined “(Re)Presenting Guatemala” series of exhibitions on campus exploring the history and identity of people in Guatemala.

The artists’ visit to campus includes a residency with NIU printmaking students in the School of Art and Design, a series of public artist and gallery talks, lectures and a closing reception with a performance based on Maya oral history. Joining the artists will be Joseph Johnston, gallerist and collector from Arte Maya Tz’utuhil, San Francisco, CA, and Rita Moran, director of Maya Woman: The Helen Moran Collection, San Francisco, for a series of public artist and collector slide talks. Be sure to visit the exhibition before it closes and join us for these unique opportunities to hear the artists discuss their work.

“Visiones E Historias: Maya Paintings from Guatemala” features colorful paintings full of narrative detail. Cúmez’s work explores the internal Maya spiritual world while Chavajay’s work explores the external Maya experience. A public closing reception will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, at the NIU Art Museum.

The events start on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7-8 p.m., Altgeld 315, with “The History of Popular Maya Painting in Guatemala” featuring gallerist and collector, Joseph Johnston, Arte Maya Tz’utuhil.

On Thursday, Feb. 16, from 5-6 p.m., the artist and collector slide talk with Pedro Rafaél González Chavajay and Joseph Johnston will take place in the Arts Building, 102.

Next week, on Monday, Feb. 20, from 5-6 p.m., in the Latino Resource Center, Kryssi Staikidis, associate professor, Art Education + Design is presenting “Visual ethnography and arts-based research: Two videotaped painting lessons with Maya painters Pedro Rafaél González Chavajay and Paula Nicho Cúmez.”

Another artist and collector slide talk, with Paula Nicho Cúmez and Rita Moran, will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5-6 p.m., in the Visual Arts Building, 102.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, informal gallery talks with Maya artists Pedro Rafaél González Chavajay and Paula Nicho Cúmez and collectors Joseph Johnston and Rita Moran will be from 5-6:30 p.m., at the NIU Art Museum.

And finally, a public closing reception with a performance by Delia Victoria Cúmez Nicho of a Maya oral history shared by her grandmother, demonstrates the transmission of culture, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 5-7:30 p.m., at the NIU Art Museum.

More information about the exhibitions, events and educational programming at the NIU Art Museum may be found online by visiting www.niu.edu/artmuseum or by phoning 815-753-1936.

Date posted: February 14, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on Visiones E Historias: Maya paintings from Guatemala at the NIU Art Museum

Categories: Community Events Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

NIU community members and regional educators interested in nurturing the next generation of young Illinois scientists can register as judges and support volunteers for two upcoming Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) competitions on the DeKalb campus.

Judging for the IJAS Region 5 regional finals will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 25. Click here to register as a judge for March 25.

Judging for the statewide Science Exposition, featuring the winners from each region, will take place on Friday, May 5. Judges will gather at 12:30 p.m. for a brief training and they will make their decisions by 4 p.m or shortly thereafter. Click here to register as a judge for May 5.

NIU faculty and staff members, NIU graduate students and regional educators are eligible to be judges.

Both events also rely on NIU undergraduate and graduate student volunteers to help with logistics, check-in and the judging process. To claim a volunteer shift on May 5 or May 6, when final prizes will be presented, click here for the volunteer form.

“So many members of the NIU science, technology, engineering and math departments had formative experiences with science fairs when they were younger,” said Tracy Rogers-Tryba, who is coordinating the judging and volunteer efforts. “This is a wonderful chance to give back and to help create similar experiences for the next generation.”

The deadline to register as a judge or volunteer for the March 25 Regional Finals is March 10. For the May 5-6 Finals, the deadline is April 14.

For more information, contact Rogers-Tryba at tlrogers@niu.edu or 815-753-2090.

 

Date posted: February 13, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on Science fair seeks judges and volunteers

Categories: Community Faculty & Staff Homepage Parents Students

Effective Jan. 1, the personal mileage reimbursement rate changed to $0.535 per mile. The travel voucher form on the Accounts Payable Services web page is updated to reflect this change.

Please use this form for any travel occurring after Jan. 1, 2017. Travel vouchers already submitted using the old rate have been adjusted using the new rate.

Date posted: February 13, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on Change in mileage reimbursement

Categories: Faculty & Staff Homepage

Affirmative Action and Equity Compliance and the Student Association will hand out green bracelets from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17, in the bus turnaround at Holmes Student Center and at the café in DuSable Hall.

The green bracelets are to bring awareness to mental illness and serve as a reminder that there is no shame in asking for assistance. Please support this worthy cause by getting your green bracelet and wearing it proudly.

Date posted: February 13, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on Green bracelets for mental health awareness

Categories: Centerpiece Faculty & Staff Students

WNIJ 89.5 FM will feature four regional works of fiction as part of its continuing “Read With Me” book series. The series, hosted by Dan Klefstad, features interviews with authors who read selections of their work and share their inspirations. “Read With Me” will air every morning at 6:50 and 8:50 a.m., Feb. 20 through Feb. 23, during Morning Edition.

The “Read With Me” book series engages its listening audience with outstanding work by writers across the region.

“We encourage our listeners to read along with us before the interviews air in February,” said Staci Hoste, director and general manager of the station. “It is our pleasure to serve a community comprising talented writers and passionate readers, and we work hard to make WNIJ a gathering place for regional literature.”

The first installment of the new series features a novel by Kathleen Tresemer, who co-founded the In Print Professional Writers Association. Tresemer’s novel “Time in a Bottle,” tells the story of Beth Frye, who wants what we all want: to be accepted, maybe even cool. But high school can be tough for a music geek. Things start looking up when she discovers vodka, which gives her new friends, a gorgeous guy and the chance to perform in New York City. But as her addiction gets worse, things get complicated.

The series continues Feb. 21, with “Small Town Roads” by L.B. Johnson. This book introduces Rachel Raines, who entered the Chicago Police Department with a criminal justice degree and big hopes for the future. But the streets can be tough for rookie cops. A breakup and an aunt’s bequest offer Rachel a fresh start in a small suburban community. No baristas or nightlife here, but a new friendship with her late aunt’s neighbor opens Rachel’s mind and heart to friendship and faith. Johnson was awarded the Readers Favorite International Silver Book Award for Excellence in Writing.

The broadcast on Feb. 22, will present poems of Susan Azar Porterfield. Her book “Dirt, Root, Silk” features poems that stare bravely at Chicago violence, that remember the feel and smell of an infant whose family returned to Syria before the civil war, and that encourage a young relative who’s questioning her sexuality. Her manuscript won the 2015 Cider Press Review’s Editor’s Prize.

The series will conclude with award-winning author Christine Sneed, whose work has been previously featured. Her new book, “The Virginity of Famous Men,” “…never settles many of the questions that arise…however, this uncertainty only serves to highlight the engaging power of her writing,” according to The New York Times. Sneed received the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s 21st Century Award, Ploughshares’ Zacharis Prize for a First Book, the Society of Midland Authors Fiction Prize and the 2009 Associate of Writers & Writing Programs Grace Paley Prize for short fiction.

For more information about the “Read With Me” book series and other WNIJ programs, visit wnij.org. WNIJ invites listeners to read along with us and share your thoughts using the hashtag #WNIJReadWithMe.

Date posted: February 10, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on WNIJ adds new books to ‘Read With Me’ book series

Categories: Community Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

Northern Illinois University College of Law is proud to announce that the State of Illinois Appellate Court for the Second District will convene and hear two oral arguments in the Francis X. Riley Courtroom at the NIU College of Law in DeKalb:

  • People of the State of Illinois v. Cristian Delao-Hernandez
  • The Chicago Tribune v. The College of DuPage and The College of DuPage Foundation

The first case is a criminal case involving charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual assault. The second case is a civil case concerning the Freedom of Information Act.

Oral arguments will be followed by an informal question-and-answer session. A reception will then be held in the Thurgood Marshall Gallery.

The event will take place from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 16. A reception will follow in the Marshall Gallery. Both the Francis X. Riley Courtroom and the Thurgood Marshall Gallery are located in Swen Parson Hall.

This event is free and open to the public. Please note, once arguments begin, the back door to the courtroom will be closed. Attendees will be allowed to enter and exit the courtroom only during the break between cases. Please observe proper courtroom decorum (no food, hats, etc.).

For more information, contact Melody Mitchell at 815-753-9655 or mmitchell@niu.edu.

Date posted: February 10, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on Illinois Appellate Court, Second District to hear oral arguments at NIU Law

Categories: Community Faculty & Staff Homepage Law Students

The NIU Communiversity Gardens team is gearing up for another growing season to help provide fresh produce to local food pantries and NIU’s own Huskie Food Pantry. NIU students, faculty and staff can help by participating in an indoor houseplant sale Feb. 13 and 14.

Valentine’s Day is a perfect occasion to treat our loved ones with an indoor plant that will last much longer than regular cut flowers. The sale will take place at the Holmes Student Center from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14. Several varieties of indoor plants grown at the NIU Biology Greenhouse will be available, such as purple spiderwort, jade, creeping fig, lemon vine and much more.

All proceeds will be split with the NIU Communiversity gardens and the NIU Biology Department to support the greenhouse and the coming growing season.

NIU Communiveristy Gardens have been partnering with the DeKalb County Community Gardens (DCCG) for the past three years to increase awareness about sustainable farming practices and locally grown foods, to help alleviate the struggles associated with food deserts within our community, to encourage environmental awareness and to provide opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections.

Students and community members are invited to volunteer, take classes and receive fresh-grown produce. The continued volunteer opportunities allow the gardens to preserve the positive impact that they have on the surrounding communities in DeKalb County.

If you have questions about the fundraiser, e-mail the co-managers of the Communiversity Gardens, Melissa Burlingame and Michaela Holtz, at niucg@niu.edu. Follow the NIU Communiveristy Garden’s Facebook page to receive information about future events and fundraisers.

Date posted: February 10, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on Houseplant sale to benefit Communiversity Gardens and biology greenhouses

Categories: Community Communiversity Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

Calling all students!  Join your peers in completing the Title IX online training. Affirmative Action and Equity Compliance (AAEC) thanks all the students who have already taken the training. With an average score of 90 percent, it is clear NIU students know their Title IX.

The training utilizes the Blackboard system, takes less than an hour to complete and can be accessed via phone, laptop, tablet or computer. Title IX and the Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act focus on building education and awareness around sexual misconduct with the goal of eliminating sexual violence on college campuses.  

Students have until March 10 to complete the training and should get started as soon as possible.

Employees will complete the training between March 13 and May 31. The employee window to take the training will not be opened before March 13.

Visit the AAEC website to access the training and find out more information. If you have technical difficulties please contact the DoIT Service Desk at ServiceDesk@niu.edu. For other questions contact AAEC_training@niu.edu.

Date posted: February 9, 2017 | Author: | Comments Off on NIU students succeeding at Title IX training

Categories: Faculty & Staff Homepage Students