On Nov. 18, Northeastern Illinois University’s Board of Trustees approved the renewal and expansion of the NEIU For You scholarship! Plus, NEIU students presented at a national conference, and events for Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month continue. Read about this and more in the latest edition of Noteworthy at Northeastern.
Around the Commons
NEIU For You
Beginning in Fall 2022, Northeastern Illinois University is covering the cost of four years of tuition for eligible students through the NEIU For You scholarship. NEIU For You launched in Spring 2021 and covered the cost of one year of tuition for first-year, full-time incoming undergraduate students. More information about the program for freshman and transfer students will be shared soon!
2021 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
NEIU undergraduate students presented their research projects at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), which was held virtually Nov. 10-13. ABRCMS is one of the largest professional conferences for underrepresented students in biomedical research funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Christina Rouhotas (Biology), Michele Ocana (Psychology) and Isaiah Thomas (Biology) won presentation awards in the disciplines of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Physiology and Pharmacology, respectively. Other student presenters were Christian Torres (Biology), Rogelio Alvarado (Biology), Rut Ortiz (Chemistry), Viridiana Leon (Chemistry), Erica Belloso (Environmental Science), and Samantha Macksey (Psychology). All students had presentations that were highly ranked by the conference judges. Biology faculty members Jorge Cantú, Elyse Bolterstein, Cindy Voisine, Emina Stojkovic and Jennifer Slate, and Psychology faculty members Breckie Church and Andrew Young were the students' faculty mentors and provided them with support. Seven of the students are also MARC Scholars. The students' participation at ABRCMS was funded in part by the NIH MARC U-STAR Training Grant, the only training grant of this kind in the state of Illinois. Congratulations to all!
And there’s more!
- The University will be closed on Nov. 25-26 in observance of Thanksgiving. In addition, no classes will take place on Saturday, Nov. 27.
- Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative (ChicagoCHEC) is accepting applications for the 2022 ChicagoCHEC Fellows program through Feb. 28.
- Show your Golden Eagle pride with a free NEIU lawn sign! Signs are available at the NEIU Welcome Desk on the Main Campus on a first come, first served basis.
To do
Your Success at NEIU Open House
Northeastern’s Admissions Office invites incoming and newly admitted first-time freshmen or soon-to-be graduating high school seniors to attend the Your Success at NEIU Open House from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 20 in Alumni Hall. Students can meet with representatives from NEIU’s Student Success Programs and other departments. This is a great opportunity to learn about resources available to students to help them succeed in and out of the classroom. Advance sign-up is recommended.
Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month
The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs has planned a series of events in celebration of Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month. Upcoming events include:
- Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month: Virtual Book Display, through Nov. 30
- Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month: Rock Your Mocs, through Nov. 20
- Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month: National Day of Mourning, Nov. 25
For a complete list of events, please visit the Pedroso Center webpage.
Coming next week
- Graduate Recital: Nico Sanchez Barberan, guitar, 3 p.m. Nov. 22
- Junior Recital: Ryan Susa, guitar, 5 p.m. Nov. 22
- Community Conversation: “Citizen Kane” at 80: Its Relevancy and Resonance in Contemporary American Crises, 6 p.m. Nov. 22
- Voice Studios Showcase, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22
- Panel Discussion: Differing Perspectives on Congress and the Separation of Powers, 1 p.m. Nov. 23
- 8th annual Law School Alumni Panel, 6 p.m. Nov. 23
- Songwriters Showcase, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23
View the NEIU events calendar for additional information on all upcoming events.
COVID-19 update
During the week of Nov. 10, 2021, six students and two employees reported a positive COVID-19 test. Four of the students and one of the employees were on campus. Since March 2020, a total of 68 employees and 322 students have self-reported to the University that they tested positive for COVID-19. Employees and students who feel sick should stay home. If you test positive for COVID-19, students should immediately notify Student Health Services, and employees should notify their supervisors and the Office of Human Resources. Additionally, faculty and staff are required to report positive and presumptive student COVID-19 cases and exposures to Student Health Services. When someone who has been on campus tests positive, Northeastern works with the Chicago Department of Public Health to determine the appropriate response, which differs greatly depending on the situation. We continue to follow Chicago Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines as we ensure proper protocols and preventative measures are in place for the health and safety of our students and employees. As of Nov. 17, 2021, 89% of currently enrolled students and 96% of active employees at Northeastern Illinois University are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Vaccine clinics
Northeastern has partnered with the Illinois Department of Public Health to provide on-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinics through Dec. 9. The clinics are free and open to everyone age 12 and older for first or second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to be vaccinated. Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen (J&J) vaccines will be available. Boosters will be available to eligible recipients who completed their initial Pfizer series at least six months ago. Please bring your vaccination card. Advance sign-up is recommended.
Other COVID-19 updates
- SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 testing is available for NEIU students, employees and community members on the Main Campus. Testing is also currently available for NEIU students and employees at the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies and El Centro.
- As part of Northeastern’s Vaccine Incentive Program (VIP), all students and employees who have completed and submitted their COVID-19 attestation or exemption forms can stop by Village Square to pick up a free NEIU keychain and a $5 gift certificate to Fooda or Café Descartes from 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays through Nov. 23. Prizes can also be claimed at Student Health Services 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- COVID-19 attestation or exemption forms and COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Students and COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Employees can be found on the University website.
Stay up-to-date on everything regarding COVID-19 updates by visiting the Return to Campus website.
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