After more than a year of the majority of classes being held remotely, Northeastern Illinois University proudly welcomed its students, faculty and staff back to campus! Mark your calendars for upcoming events and read the latest campus COVID-19 updates in this week’s Noteworthy at Northeastern.
Around the Commons
Welcome back!
In-person classes, activities and events resumed at all Northeastern Illinois University locations on Aug. 23! The celebration of our return to campus officially kicked off with NEIU’s Eagle to Learn Week and continues with Student Leadership Development’s Weeks of Welcome. Check out photos of this week’s events on our Instagram page! The University is following the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the City of Chicago, and created an interim COVID-19 Policy and plan that incorporate a layered approach of health and safety measures to protect the NEIU community.
Northeastern to require COVID-19 vaccination for Fall 2021
On Aug. 9, Northeastern Illinois University President Gloria J. Gibson issued a statement announcing that all Northeastern employees and students who will be on campus in the fall are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the 2021-2022 academic year. Those who are unable to get vaccinated will be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 saliva-based testing on campus. The University will also continue to require face masks to be worn indoors and in outdoor spaces if social distancing cannot be maintained. Masks are not required to be worn when alone in a private office, personal residence hall room or when dining in a designated eating area. “I encourage everyone in the NEIU community to get vaccinated, if they are able,” Gibson said. “If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, you are strongly encouraged to speak to your primary care provider.” Guidelines for submitting proof of vaccination are now available for students and employees.
And there’s more!
- Northeastern Illinois University President Emerita Salme Harju Steinberg is one of eight honorees to be recognized at the 35th Annual Conference on Hispanic Higher Education, which is scheduled to be held Oct. 25-27, 2021. Steinberg is one of two honorees who will be inducted into the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ Hall of Champions, which recognizes those who embody the mission of the Association through their exemplary efforts and contributions to higher education.
- The Student Government Association is holding special elections to fill open positions: one student trustee, seven senators, and seven Council of Clubs representatives. Students interested in running must complete and submit a candidate application by noon on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Questions can be directed to Veronica Rodriguez, v-rodriguez9@neiu.edu.
- The Office of Student Affairs is offering three 20-hours a week, paid, graduate student aide employment opportunities to currently enrolled NEIU graduate students. To learn more about these opportunities and to be considered for one of the positions, view the application and submit the form by Sept. 3.
- The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs invites students, faculty and staff to sign up by Aug. 31 to play in this year's La Copa soccer tournament. La Copa is scheduled to be held from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 18 on the Physical Education Complex soccer fields.
- Stage Center Theatre is holding auditions Sept. 1-2 for its fall productions: “Nuevas Voces: A 10-Minute Play Festival and Contest” directed by Communication, Media and Theatre (CMT) faculty member John Bliss, and “Water by the Spoonful” by Quiara Alegría Hudes, directed by CMT faculty member Adam Goldstein.
To do
Weeks of Welcome
Northeastern Illinois University’s Student Leadership Development (SLD) welcomes everyone to NEIU! SLD encourages you to start making connections with fellow students, student organizations and University departments. Start off by downloading the Scavify scavenger hunt app and search "NEIU Weeks of Welcome 2021" for a chance to win NEIU gear! Aug. 30-Sept. 3 is Campus Connection Week:
- Day of Service: Beach Clean Up, 10 a.m. (meet at The Nest) or 10:30 a.m. (meet at Montrose Beach house), Aug. 28.
- NPB I Love Mondays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Aug. 30. University Commons.
- Student Organization and Resource Fair, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31. University Commons.
- Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs and Student Leadership Development Open House, 3-4 p.m. Aug. 31. Room B 159.
- Student Organization and Resource Fair, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 1. University Commons.
- Improv: Sex Signals, 5:30 p.m., Sept. 1. Alumni Hall North.
- El Centro Freshmen Meetup, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 2. El Centro parking lot. All NEIU freshmen are welcome.
- Meet the Greeks, 2-4 p.m., Sept. 2. University Commons.
- Transfer Social, 3-4 p.m., Sept. 2. Room B 159.
View all of SLD’s upcoming events and mark your calendars to have some fun at NEIU!
Black at Work Virtual Panel
Join Career Development's Black at Work Virtual Panel, which will focus on panelists' work history, experiences, and avenues and strategies to overcome systemic/institutional barriers that many BIPOC face. The panel will be held from noon-1 p.m., Aug. 31 via Zoom. Sign up to receive the link. Questions can be directed to Career Development at ocs@neiu.edu.
In the media
Associate Professor of History and Principal of The Mossadegh Initiative Mateo Mohammad Farzaneh was interviewed on WGN to discuss the future of Afghanistan under the Taliban.
COVID-19 update
During the week of Aug. 18, 2021, six students reported a positive COVID-19 test. None were on campus. Since March 2020, a total of 61 employees and 260 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.
In order to accommodate more of our students and employees, on-campus COVID-19 testing through SHIELD will offer expanded hours. Beginning Monday, Aug. 30, new hours of operations will be 9 a.m-noon Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Tuesdays and 1 p.m-5 p.m. Thursdays. Please view the guidance for coronavirus testing page for information and appointments.
Stay up-to-date on everything regarding COVID-19 updates by visiting the Return to Campus website.
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