NIU Today

The NIU Foundation invites all faculty and staff from units within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Information Technologies and Intercollegiate Athletics to apply for the FY2012 Venture Grants. This program focuses support toward the university’s strategic planning initiatives. Grantees will be selected based on their potential to...

Since 2005, Northern Illinois volleyball head coach Ray Gooden has sent three of his players overseas to expand the horizon of Huskie volleyball and the act has had its impact on the program, averaging just over 18 wins per season as opposed to the 15 wins the Huskies averaged from 2002-04. This year, Gooden is...

A new study led by an NIU sociologist shows that while family members often provide critical support, they also can sometimes be the source of stigmatizing attitudes that impede the recovery of mentally ill relatives. “Negative attitudes of family members have the potential to affect the ways that mentally ill persons view themselves, adversely influencing...

Edward James Olmos in “Stand and Deliver?” Robin Williams in “Dead Poets Society?” Forget about those guys. There are new stars in the tutoring game.  This May, after wrapping up their own finals, a group of NIU students stayed on to help DeKalb High School students prepare for their end-of-year exams. The NIU students are part of...

We closed the books on another semester two weeks ago, which in theory means that it was a time to catch our breath … but not so this year.

Employees have until June 17 to select from the current group of health insurance providers available. However, according to a memo received from Central Management Services on Wednesday, there will be a Special Enrollment period at the end of the year where employees can make changes to their health carrier plans based on changes in...

The General Assembly closed out its spring session Tuesday night by passing a budget for Fiscal Year 2012, but set aside issues related to pension reform and annuitant health insurance premium changes. Both of those items are expected to be the topic of continued discussion and debate over the summer and are scheduled to be...

Legislation that could dramatically increase the cost of health insurance for current and future state of Illinois annuitants, including erasing the benefit of free health care for those who retire with 20 or more years of service, has moved to the floor for debate. The legislation, Senate Bill 175 (Amendment 3), was endorsed by the...

EUGENE, Ore. — Cora Caulfield and the Northern Illinois 4×100-meter relay team competed at the NCAA West Preliminary on Saturday at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field. The 4×100 relay finished 23rd and Caulfield took 38th in the discus. “These ladies had a great conclusion to the 2011 outdoor season,” said NIU head coach Connie...

On behalf of the university Lori Clark from NIU’s Office of Governmental Relations submitted to the Senate Executive Committee on Sunday, May 29 a written position statement from NIU Vice President of Human Resources Steve Cunningham.  The statement outlines NIU’s opposition to Senate Bill 175 which would significantly alter retiree health care benefits.  Cunningham’s statement is...

The Illinois House Personnel and Pension Committee today recommended approval of an amended version of Senate Bill 512, which would dramatically change the way that the state handles employee pensions. The committee voted 5-2, with one member voting “present,” to send the bill to the floor for debate. Sponsor of the bill, Rep. Tom Cross,...

Central Management Services (CMS) has announced that a final decision regarding the managed care contracts for FY 2012 has been made, and the annual Benefit Choice period will conclude on Friday, June 17, 2011. This will be last day to make all benefit elections, including flexible spending. CMS plan options are summarized for your information below....