Northeastern Illinois University is a diverse community. One way we celebrate that is by sharing lived experiences. As Northeastern begins its celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Month, which we observe a month earlier than the national celebrations so as much of our campus can participate as possible, we will welcome Assistant Professor of Higher Education at Northern Illinois University Dr. Jacqueline Mac and host a workshop with Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies. The Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies will host a workshop on connecting passion and purpose through art and we’ve partnered with several organizations to co-host a panel of activist survivors of violence who engaged in powerful organizing while incarcerated. All this, plus the latest COVID-19 updates, are part of this week’s Noteworthy at Northeastern.
Around the Commons
APIDA Heritage Month
The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs invites the University community to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA+) Heritage Month. The Pedroso Center will offer a series of in-person and virtual events throughout April. Next week’s events include:
- APIDA+ Heritage Month: Keynote Address by Dr. Jacqueline Mac, 1 p.m. April 5
- APIDA+ Heritage Month: Game Night, 7 p.m. April 7
- APIDA+ Heritage Month: National Day of Silence Gathering, 10 a.m. April 8
- APIDA+ Heritage Month: Workshop with Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies, 4 p.m. April 8
NEIU Libraries has compiled reading and viewing recommendations celebrating APIDA+ authors as well as works that reflect the lives and experiences of the APIDA+ community. All materials in the APIDA+ Virtual Book Display are available as e-books or online resources through the NEIU Libraries.
To view the complete schedule and sign up for more events, visit the 2022 APIDA+ Heritage Month webpage.
And there’s more!
- Associate Professor of English Ryan Poll presented a lecture titled, “‘Becoming Native’: Retelling the Sky Woman Story in the Context of the Contemporary Soil Crisis” at the 2022 Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States Conference. The conference was held March 23-27 in New Orleans.
- Applying to NEIU? Use code ALUMREF (all caps) to receive a $30 application fee waiver!
- Registration for Summer and Fall 2022 classes is now open. Current and admitted students interested in taking summer classes are encouraged to talk to their academic advisor or contact the Registration Office at registration@neiu.edu or (773) 442-4040, or by visiting Enrollment Services in Room D 101.
To do
Connecting Passion and Purpose Through Art
As part of the Hope and Healing Through the Arts Symposium, the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) for Connecting Passion and Purpose Through Art, at 11 a.m. April 2. CCICS Assistant Director Akua Cason uses various textiles, pictures and magazines to create collages to inspire and empower others. As a close-out activity, participants will use magazine clippings and other inspirational artwork to create boards that display their personal visions for their lives. These personal art reflections will serve as a source of visual motivation to connect participants to their passion and purpose. Please RSVP. Guests must wear a face mask in the building, practice social distancing, and are required to sign in at the reception table for COVID-19 contact tracing.
Organizing Toward Survival: Survivor Activism Behind and Beyond Bars
Join Nontraditional Degree Programs, the Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies along with co-hosts Love & Protect, Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project and DePaul University for “Organizing Toward Survival: Survivor Activism Behind and Beyond Bars,” at 7 p.m. April 5 via Zoom. Colette Payne will moderate a panel of activist survivors of violence who engaged in powerful organizing while incarcerated, and have brought that important work into the movement on the outside: Monica Cosby, Paris Knox and Alisha Walker. These women will talk about the challenges and triumphs of organizing while incarcerated, the gendered and racialized repression of dissent, what people on the outside can do to support incarcerated people's organizing efforts, and much more.
Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition
From April 4-22, join the Fine Arts Center Gallery’s annual juried student art exhibition featuring work in all media by NEIU Art + Design majors and minors. The exhibition will be juried by Kristin Abhalter Smith.
Coming next week
- NEIU Libraries Scavenger Hunt, 2 p.m. April 5-5 p.m. April 6
- Graduate Lecture Recital: Kyle Corcoran, Percussion, 5 p.m. April 6
- Webinar: Hop Into Your Career Search! Tips and Strategies for Resume Writing and Beyond, 3 p.m. April 7
- MARC U-STAR Research Seminar With Dr. Gustavo Arrizabalaga, 3:05 p.m. April 7
- Faculty-Student Chamber Music Open Recording Session, 6 p.m. April 7
- NEIU Opera Presents Italian Opera Scenes, 7:30 p.m. April 8
In the Media
President Biden’s Budget
Professor Emeritus of Economics Ed Stuart appeared on WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” on March 29 to discuss the federal budget.
Also in the media
- Phillip Eloff (B.A. Nontraditional Degree Programs ’12) was featured on The Goff Rugby Report for his induction into the Rugby Hall of Fame. The United States Rugby Foundation announced the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Class of 2022 on March 31.
COVID-19 update
From March 23-30, 2022, one student and one employee reported positive COVID-19 tests. The student and employee were on campus. Since March 2020, a total of 140 employees and 421 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines as we ensure proper protocols and preventative measures are in place for the health and safety of our students and employees.
Student Health Services has currently verified the following COVID-19 vaccination rates for Spring 2022:
- 95% of NEIU employees are vaccinated; 77% of employees have received boosters
- 88% of students are vaccinated; 23% of students have received boosters
It is expected that all students and employees will show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or testing in compliance with the current NEIU COVID-19 vaccination policy. Noncompliance may result in disciplinary actions.
Other COVID-19 updates
- Face masks are still required in all indoor public spaces at all NEIU locations.
- Northeastern has free surgical, KN95 and/or N95 masks available for students and employees. Masks have been distributed to offices and classrooms and are also available at the Welcome Desk at the Main Campus, the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies and El Centro.
- The NEIU COVID-19 Interim Policy will remain in effect through the Spring 2022 semester.
- Campus vaccination clinics and SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 testing are open and available for NEIU community members and the general public.
- The federal government is offering free at-home COVID-19 tests through the U.S. Postal Service.
Stay up to date on everything regarding COVID-19 by visiting the Return to Campus website.
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