Summer classes began at Northeastern Illinois University this week, but before we slip on our flip-flops and sunglasses, we’re taking a look back at the Spring 2022 term. View some photos, read about the inaugural President’s Inclusive Excellence and Diversity Awards, and learn about the impressive work of an alumni activist. All this and more is in the latest edition of Noteworthy at Northeastern.
Around the Commons
Spring 2022: In review
The Spring 2022 term at Northeastern was jam-packed with events, from conferences and celebrations to retreats and ceremonies! Check out some of our favorite moments from Healing Through Henna at the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, Meet the Media, Diversity Week, Art on the Commons, the CASEP retreat, Women in Science Conference and the Week of Joy & Wellness on NEIU’s Instagram.
Use #NEIULife and #NEIU to share your favorite Northeastern memories with us!
Creating a culture of inclusion
Northeastern Illinois University held its inaugural President’s Inclusive Excellence and Diversity Awards on April 27. The ceremony honored seven members of the Northeastern community who are significantly advancing the University’s goals in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion. “The Committee and I thank all who submitted a nomination and congratulate all nominees and awardees for fostering a culture of appreciation and inclusive excellence at NEIU and beyond,” President Gloria J. Gibson said. View more photos from the event on NEIU’s Instagram.
NEIU Day at Six Flags
The University community is invited to join the NEIU Alumni Association for a day of thrills at Six Flags Great America on Saturday, June 18. Tickets are $60 and include entrance to Great America and Hurricane Harbor, all-eat lunch buffet, a 2022 season pass (good for unlimited visits to Six Flags through Sept. 5, 2022) and day of event parking. Tickets are limited! All purchases are limited to six tickets per person. Guests two years of age and younger are free and do not require a ticket. The deadline to register and purchase tickets is 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2022. Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable, even if lost.
And there’s more!
- The University will be closed on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.
- Professor of Political Science and Jewish Studies Ellen Cannon was part of a roundtable discussion at the 5th Annual Academic Engagement Network (AEN) Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland. The roundtable centered on AEN’s recently published guide, “Antisemitism, Jewish Identity, and Freedom of Expression on Campus: A Guide and Resource Book for Faculty & University Leaders.”
- There’s still time to apply to NEIU for Fall 2022! The deadline for domestic applicants is July 15. The deadline for international applicants is June 15. Use code ALUMREF (all caps) to receive a $30 application fee waiver. Learn more and apply today!
- 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. If you plan to take a summer course, register today!
- Fall 2022 registration is open. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to plan your course schedule.
To Do
Yooshin Park: Finding Space
The Fine Arts Center Gallery on the Main Campus presents Yoonshin Park’s Finding Space, an installation about a close investigation of the relationship between anonymous individuals and their surrounding space. Drawing on her journey as a foreigner in different places, Park’s installation explores experiencing invisibility within space and the vulnerability of being anonymous. The exhibition runs from May 31-June 17. An artist talk is scheduled for noon, Wednesday, June 8. Questions can be directed to Millicent Kennedy, m-kennedy2@neiu.edu, (773) 442-4944.
URO Presents: An Evening with La Paula Herrera
NEIU’s Undocumented, Resilient, and Organized (URO) student organization hosts an evening of songs performed by Chilean artist La Paula Herrera at 6 p.m. Friday, June 3. The event is being held in celebration of URO’s 10th anniversary. A post-concert reception with the artist will follow in Alumni Hall. Tickets to the performance are $25. Tickets to the reception are an additional $25 and include a CD signed by the artist. All proceeds benefit URO. Masks are encouraged. Social distancing will be accommodated.
More to do
In the Media
Alumni Activist
Renee Bracey Sherman (B.A. ’09, Political Science, Sociology minor) was featured on a recent episode of “Democracy Now” discussing reproductive rights. Bracey Sherman is an award-winning reproductive justice activist and the founder and executive director of We Testify, a nonprofit organization giving voice to those who have abortions. She also recently published an article about abortion rights in Time magazine and was cited in the New York Times.
COVID-19 update
From May 18-May 25, 2022, three students and 12 employees reported positive COVID-19 tests. Six employees and zero students were on campus. Since March 2020, a total of 182 employees and 460 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.
As of April 4, Student Health Services verified the following COVID-19 vaccination rates for Spring 2022:
- 95% of NEIU employees are vaccinated; 78% of employees have received boosters
- 90% of students are vaccinated; 31% of students have received boosters
Other COVID-19 updates
- Northeastern Illinois University highly recommends wearing masks indoors, as Chicago has moved into the high COVID-19 transmission risk level per CDC guidelines. 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.
- Campus vaccination clinics have closed. Please review the Guidance for Coronavirus Vaccinations page to find vaccination sites.
- SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 testing remains 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 COVID-19 Response website.
Top photo: NEIU’s Student Leadership Development hosted a hula dance workshop during the Spring 2022 Diversity Week. May is National Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
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