Northeastern Illinois University is excited to welcome students, faculty and staff back to all of our locations in just under a month. As NEIU moves towards a full reopening in fall, it’s important for all who come to campus to feel safe and know their health is a priority. In this issue of Noteworthy at Northeastern, learn about the efforts NEIU is taking to keep our community healthy. Undergraduate and students-at-large have more time to apply for Fall 2021 and take advantage of NEIU For You, a one-time scholarship that covers tuition and mandatory fees for first-year, full-time undergraduates. Plus, Student Counseling Services has tips for managing return to campus stress. Read about all this and more in this week’s edition of Noteworthy at Northeastern!
Around the Commons
Return to Campus
Northeastern Illinois University is preparing to have all students, faculty and staff return to campus for the Fall 2021 term, with the majority of classes being held in person! The University will continue to follow guidelines that meet or exceed the standards set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the City of Chicago. Northeastern has also adopted an Interim COVID-19 Return to Campus Policy. Everyone who is coming to campus this fall is encouraged to read the weekly COVID-19 Task Force update for information on how Facilities Management is sanitizing facilities, face covering requirements and COVID-19 vaccination and testing options. Anyone with questions about the interim return to campus policy is encouraged to reach out to the COVID-19 Task Force at coronavirus@neiu.edu.
NEIU For You
If you haven’t applied to NEIU yet, there’s still time to do so and take advantage of NEIU For You, a one-time scholarship that covers tuition and mandatory fees for a full year for incoming first-year, full-time undergraduates! NEIU For You also covers the cost of three credit hours for new undergraduate transfer students who register for six credit hours or more for Fall 2021. All prospective students who apply to Northeastern and are admitted as first-year students will automatically qualify for this initiative so long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
And there’s more!
- The application deadline for Fall 2021 for undergraduates and students-at-large has been extended to Aug. 15.
- Registration for Fall 2021 is currently open for all admitted students.
- Leslie Hurtado (B.A. Communication, Media and Theatre ’20) and Ata Younan (B.A. Communication, Media and Theatre ’19) earned City Bureau Civic Reporting Fellowships this summer. Hurtado recently published an article for WBEZ on the restoration of the David “Boogie” Gonzalez mural at 18th and Throop streets.
To do
Next Steps for Admitted Transfer Students: Time to Enroll
Newly admitted NEIU transfer students are invited to attend a virtual session from noon-1 p.m. July 22 to learn how to complete their registration, as well as learn about financial aid, NEIU resources and how to connect with their academic advisor. Sign up online. Questions can be directed to Associate Director of Transfer Enrollment Patricia Rodriguez at (773) 442-4139 or p-rodriguez@neiu.edu.
Illinois Writing Project Summer Workshops
The Illinois Writing Project (IWP) is offering a Digital and Media Literacies workshop from 9-11:30 a.m. July 19-22 via Zoom. This non-credit course will focus on the critical and strategic use of digital technologies that allow students and teachers to experiment with ways to creatively express themselves and show what they know. There is a fee of $125. View IWP’s other summer offerings and sign up online. Questions can be sent to illinoiswritingproject@neiu.edu.
NEIU Literacy Education Summer Professional Development Series
The Department of Literacy, Leadership, and Development is hosting a virtual professional development series throughout July. The next session is titled “What Does Anti-Racist Literacy Instruction Look Like?” and will be held at 4:30 p.m. July 20. These workshops are open to the public with a fee of $25 per session. CPDUs are awarded for each session. Read complete descriptions and sign up online. Questions can be directed to Jill Hallett at jm-hallett@neiu.edu.
In the media
Professor of Urban Community Studies Lance Williams was interviewed by Fox 32 Chicago regarding growing Chicago Police Department retirement numbers amid rising crime in Chicago. Williams was also interviewed by CBS News about President Biden’s meeting with Chicago’s police superintendent regarding the city’s surge in gun violence.
Also in the media
- Professor Emeritus of Economics Ed Stuart was interviewed by Chicago Tonight about inflation and its impact on the economy.
- Alan Mares (current student) was featured on Chicago Eater for his work as a chef at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.
- Eric P. Echevarria (B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies, ’18) was featured in the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, Illinois News Today and other news outlets after being named the new chief of the Peoria Police Station.
- Katie Cangelosi (B.S. Business Management, ’18) was featured on Patch after being named Operations Manager of the River Forest Public Library.
- Jack Timperely (B.S. General Business Administration, B.A. Philosophy, ’21) was featured in the Chicago Tribune for his creation of Captain Marrow, a superhero who will encourage people to become bone marrow donors. Timperley plans to create a comic book series with the character as well as give lectures about the importance of bone marrow donations.
- Homero Cantu (B.A. Physical Education, ’21) was featured in the Chicago Tribune discussing how a grant from Grow Your Own Illinois helped him obtain his teaching certificate.
- Robert Chesler (B.A. Political Science, Psychology minor, ’05) was featured in Hoard’s Dairyman for being named the new CEO of United Dairymen of Arizona.
Student support spotlight
Self-Care: Returning to campus
As Northeastern plans to fully return to campus next month, Student Counseling Services (SCS) understands this shift presents its own unique challenges and stressors. SCS recommends the following articles for tips on how to return to campus life:
- “How to Deal with Anxiety about Returning to Campus”
- “5 Coping Strategies for Stress and Anxiety in College Students”
SCS has also provided some tips for helping individuals manage anxiety and worry they may be feeling, and listed some important resources. Students are welcome to contact SCS to set up an appointment to talk either by phone or their online platform for teletherapy. To access NEIU’s SCS, call (773) 442-4650 or send an email to counsect@neiu.edu between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, students may also reach a counselor for more urgent consultation by calling the main number and pressing “2” during the outgoing message.
More resources for students can be found on the Keep Learning website and the COVID-19 Student FAQ page. General information about Northeastern’s response to the pandemic and the latest University updates regarding COVID-19 can be found on the NEIU Coronavirus Response page.
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