Hello Wildcat Parents & Family Members! Happy Fall! Hopefully your student has had the pleasure of enjoying a remarkably long fall – my most favorite season of all and a major reason I choose to live in the Midwest. We had a fantastic Wildcat Welcome 2014 as we ushered in Fall and our new students with about 130 hours of programming designed to help them feel comfortable and confident on the first day of classes. Shortly after the start of classes, President Barack Obama came to campus and delivered a major address on the economy, speaking to the entire nation and also to the members of the Northwestern community. Recently, we celebrated homecoming and welcomed back Northwestern University alumna Ana Gasteyer. The former “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) cast member returned to campus to serve as grand marshal of the parade and announced the names of this year’s homecoming king and queen, seniors Sean Earley and Lindsay Charles. Most students have now completed mid-terms and are preparing for the weather to turn a bit brisker. Our next major campus event is Family Weekend which will take place November 7, 8 and 9. We look forward to welcoming our parent and family members back to campus for a weekend packed with activities- but if you are unable to attend, Thanksgiving Break is just around the corner! This issue of the Wildcat Family Focus features information about SafeRide, a free alternative to walking alone after dark; information on Winter Break Housing and early contracting for rooms, details about expanded residential academic support and much more! If you are making the journey to Evanston for Family Weekend, please travel safely and dress warmly as the beautiful red and orange leaves are now falling to the ground a bit quicker. Best Regards & As Always, Go ‘Cats!
Patricia F. Hilkert Director of New Student and Family Programs Northwestern University
WILDCAT WELCOME 2014
NU RESOURCES AND SERVICES SAFERIDE SafeRide provides students, faculty and staff with a safe and free alternative to walking alone after dark. SafeRide’s service is available from 7 pm to 3 am, seven days a week during the academic year when classes are in session. SafeRide provides rides to and from campus within our Evanston boundaries. Please remember that SafeRide does not have the capacity to provide rides to every one of our students, so always plan ahead. SafeRide should be used in conjunction with other safe travel options such as walking in groups, using the Northwestern Shuttle service, or using one of the local taxi services. The Evanston Loop shuttle operates between the Evanston campus and downtown Evanston. The Campus Loop connects the northern and southern ends of campus. This shuttle is a free service for NU students, faculty and staff, with presentation of a valid WildCARD. SafeRide currently consists of a fleet of eight Prius’, one handicap accessible van, and is staffed by student employees and administrators dedicated to enhancing campus safety. Rides are scheduled on a first come, first served basis via the TapRide app. The app can be downloaded for free from the App store or Google Play store. No smart phone? No worries! Rides can still be placed by calling 847-491-7000. For more information, please visit www.northwestern.edu/saferide/.
OFF-CAMPUS LIFE OFFICE Is your student thinking about living off-campus next year? The Off-Campus Life office at Northwestern is here to support your student in their transition to living off-campus. We offer online resources and in-person information sessions which can assist students in their search for housing. Please visit the Off-Campus Life website for important information about the rights and responsibilities of student tenants in apartments or houses or contact us at offcampuslife@northwestern.edu.
HEALTH SERVICES As the weather changes and flu season approaches, help your student stay healthy with NU’s Health Services. Students can even make appointments online or find contact information for NU’s Pharmacy. For information on flu shots, including costs and making appointments, visit http:// www.northwestern.edu/healthservice-evanston/news-announcements/flu/index.html.
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES WINTER BREAK HOUSING This year, Winter Break housing will be available to all current residential students. Winter Break Housing is available from noon on Friday, December 12, 2014 through noon on Saturday, January 3, 2015. Students may stay for one night or as many nights of Winter Break as they would like. Students who choose Winter Break Housing will be assigned to a temporary space in the Mid-Quads for the duration of their stay. A single room costs $36.70/night and a double room costs $31.06/ night. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/NU-wbh2014.
EARLY CONTRACTING Returning residential students are now able to submit a 2015-16 NU Housing contract to reserve a space in housing for the 2015-16 academic year. In order to reserve a space, students must read and sign the Contract Terms and Conditions, available on the Residential Services site (www.northwestern.edu/living). This contract must be signed prior to General Room Selection, which will occur during Winter Quarter. If a student chooses to cancel their housing contract; they may do so before Friday, March 20, 2015 without paying a cancellation fee. We encourage you to talk with your student about living on campus. There are many benefits to the on-campus experience. Here are just a few of them:
ACCOMODATIONS: There is no need for your student to worry about cooking or grocery shopping since fresh food is offered at every meal in our dining halls. Free laundry, XFINITY Comcast, and a full maintenance staff also make everyday living easier. Utilities fees or lazy landlords? Not on campus!
OPPORTUNITIES: From hall government, to executive boards, to hundreds of student groups, the possibilities to get involved are nearly endless – and students who live on campus are right in the middle of everything!
BETTER GRADES: Studies show that students who live on campus tend to have higher GPAs. Maybe it is because we host tutoring and study sessions led by faculty and peer mentors in residence halls, or because students are closer to academic resources.
SECURITY: Trained staffs are on duty 24 hours a day to respond to any concerns. CONVENIENCE: Students live close to class, multiple dining options, gyms, the library, and their friends when they live on campus!
SOCIAL LIFE: There is always someone around to talk, eat, study, or just hang out with.
RESIDENTIAL ACADEMIC INITIATIVES
With over 40 years of tradition, Northwestern’s residential college program offers students communities in which to engage with each other and affiliated faculty. With early housing placements, new students start making connections to their residential college over the summer, which builds enthusiasm well before students arrive on campus. As just one example of the community events organized by Residential Colleges, the Communications Residential College’s Master Roger Boye organized a bike ride to Lincoln Park in Chicago during Wildcat Welcome and hosted a special welcome dinner for fellows. The residential colleges are also known for their continuity of community. Most students spend two years together in their residential college and form bonds that endure well beyond. During Homecoming, Willard Residential College invited its alumni to a reception that coincided with the 175th birthday of Frances Willard. Former residents from as far back as the Class of 1979 to current residents of the Class of 2018 swapped stories about Willard tradition and life at Northwestern. The residential colleges are also known for their continuity of community. Most students spend two years together in their residential college and form bonds that endure well beyond. During Homecoming, Willard Residential College invited its alumni to a reception that coincided with the 175th birthday of Frances Willard. Former residents from as far back as the Class of 1979 to current residents of the Class of 2018 met and swapped stories about Willard tradition and life at Northwestern, pictured above. All families of students in residential colleges are invited to a reception in their college during Family Weekend (Friday, November 7, 5-6pm). The master staffs and student leaders are eager to greet families and share more about the residential college experience.
RESIDENTIAL ACADEMIC INITIATIVES
RAMPING UP RESIDENTIAL ACADEMIC SUPPORT The Office of Residential Academic Initiatives is building partnerships to bring academic support and advising into residential spaces. The goal is to make these resources as accessible as possible to students by offering them at convenient times in familiar and comfortable spaces. These early opportunities ideally foster productive study strategies and constructive help-seeking behaviors. In anticipation of the first round of midterms in the Math Department, instructors from seven courses came to Elder Residential Community on a Sunday morning for a two-hour review session. They facilitated study groups fueled by a catered brunch. Later that day, some of those students came to 1835 Hinman for PLUS (Peer-Led Undergraduate Study) to continue studying collaboratively with help from peer leaders. PLUS is offered every Sunday and covers some of the largest courses in Math, Chemistry, Economics, Statistics, and Psychology窶馬ot to mention writing consultations for any course. Finally, pre-med advising is moving into residential settings in the evenings. Recently, firstyear students packed the Shepard dining room during dinner for a presentation by Mel Pollay from the University Academic Advising Center.
KELLOGG SCHOOL OF BUSINESS RUSSELL FELLOW’S PROGRAM M.S. IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES True to what it teaches, the Kellogg School is taking a successful model and scaling it. This fall, Kellogg is expanding its newest degree track, the Russell Fellows Program’s M.S. in Management Studies (MSMS), by opening admissions for July 2015 enrollment to accredited schools outside of Northwestern. The program was available only to recent NU graduates for its first two academic years. As a result of this admissions change, Kellogg expects the program’s class size to grow from 25 to 75 students within the next two years. Long term, the program is projected to enroll 125-150 students each year. The first top-tier business school to establish a master’s program of this kind, Kellogg developed the MSMS degree after identifying a strong demand for it. “When you take smart, well-rounded liberal arts students and give them a business wrapper, they become highly valued in the marketplace,” says Betsy Ziegler, Associate Dean of MBA Programs and Dean of Students. “These kinds of students want business knowledge and employers want to hire these kinds of students.” Designed to help recent graduates launch their careers, the program focuses on teaching foundational management skills and offers access to a dedicated career coach. Many graduates say the degree has already kick-started their careers. Among the employers for the inaugural class: Accenture, Burger King, Deloitte, Dropbox, FTI Consulting, Google, IBM, The Mind Company, Roland Berger, Uniqlo and Wells Fargo. With an undergraduate degree from NU’s School of Education and Social Policy, Danielle David ’14 says that the program complemented her managerial skills with business discipline and quantitative skills, enabling her to land her “ideal job” in the high-energy technology field. “You will come out [of the program] smart, more confident in your skills, and totally prepared to stand out in any industry you choose,” she says. For more information, visit http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/programs/russellfellows.aspx.
NU CAREER SERVICES NORTHWESTERN CAREER SERVICES TO BECOME NORTHWESTERN CAREER ADVANCEMENT University Career Services is proud to become Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA), effective November 3, 2014. The new name reflects a recent move toward more specialized career advising and counseling services designed to help students translate their academic and cocurricular experiences into professional opportunities that will advance their careers from the start of their time at Northwestern. In the last year, we have welcomed a new school-based advising model, a more robust employer recruiting outreach team and a remodeled building, among other additions. In November, along with our new name, we will unveil our redesigned website with improved functionality and fresh, industryand school-specific content. We are excited to continue to enhance services that will advance the career paths of Northwestern students under our new name. Please visit our website at http://northwestern.edu/careers.
FALL RECRUITING SEASON BRINGS 100+ RECRUITERS TO NU During fall recruiting season, Northwestern students have the opportunity to speak directly with recruiters at information sessions, lunch and learns, networking nights, panels, workshops and on-campus interviews for internship and full-time job opportunities. For a complete list of the remaining fall recruiting events, we welcome your student to log into our job and internship search system, CareerCat, and search under the Events > Info Sessions tab: https://shibboleth-nw.symplicity.com/sso
FREE ONLINE CASE INTERVIEW TRAINING FOR STUDENTS Is your student pursuing a career in consulting? Northwestern students now have free access to CQ Interactive -- online case interview training from the author of case interview preparation book Case in Point. Designed to supplement the strategies and skills taught in Case In Point, this resource includes math drills, interactive cases and more. Students may log into CareerCat to find the CQ Interactive link in the announcements section of their student landing page: https://shibboleth-nw.symplicity.com/sso
ONE BOOK ONE NORTHWESTERN Whistling Vivaldi, by Claude Steele, is the chosen common read for this year. The book points to evidence that often small, feasible interventions can reduce the threats and devastating effects of social stereotypes and, in turn, dramatically narrow the racial and gender achievement gaps that, in Steele’s words, so discouragingly characterize our society. Throughout the year, lectures, films and discussion groups provide opportunities for individuals to gather and talk about the issues presented in the book. For more information on One Book, visit http://www.northwestern.edu/onebook/index.html.
UPCOMING EVENTS OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 2 The Laramie Project: a new generation of actors bring to life a living mosaic of one community’s response to a tragedy that became a catalyst of cultural and social change in America.
OCTOBER 26 & NOVEMBER 22 NU Day at RACE: Are We So Different? Exhibit Students will have an opportunity to see the RACE: Are We So Different? traveling exhibit for free. RACE engages visitors in hands on activities designed to explore race ad human variation. The exhibition examines the history of the idea of race, the experience of race in the US and the relation of race to health, wealth and education. RACE is the first national exhibition to tell the stories of race from the biological, cultural and historical points of view. Students will have the opportunity to view this ground breaking exhibit, and participate in a facilitated discussion about the exhibit.
FAMILY WEEKEND EVENT - NOVEMBER 7 Back to School Session for Parents and Families, 11 am, Swift Hall 107 We invite family members to come learn about Whistling Vivaldi and this year’s One Book One Northwestern activities with Dr. Harvey Young, One Book Faculty Chair and Associate Professor of Theatre, Performance Studies, Radio/Television/Film and African American Studies.
NORRIS UNIVERSITY CENTER ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES AT ARTICA STUDIOS At ARTica Studios, students have the opportunity to get elbow-deep in clay or complete quick and easy arts and crafts projects for low prices. Located at the Underground Level of Norris, ARTica has the resources to keep students busy with most artists' needs. The studio offers a place to work with poster boards, sewing machines, clay, and photography. So whether your student is an expert at pottery making or looking for a stress reliever, ARTica Studios is the place for them!
APPLE CAMPUS STORE The Norris Tech Center, located inside the Norris Bookstore, carries a variety of Apple products and houses a team of certified Apple experts to make sure your student’s product is operating at peak performance. In addition to student discounts and a convenient location, the Tech Center ensures that your computer is compatible with NU's network and wireless. For more information, visit the Apple Store website.
TECH SERVICE AVAILABLE AT NUIT SERVICE POINT At the NUIT Service Point, students, faculty, and staff on the Evanston campus receive hands-on technical support assistance. The centrally-located support site is on the ground floor of Norris University Center, across from the bookstore. NUIT Service Point offers the NU community assistance with NetID account information, password resets, and laptop ER services. If NUIT Service Point can't solve the issue, users will be directed to alternate resources that can help.
NU HILLEL KICKING OFF THE “NU” YEAR At NU Hillel, we have had a busy start to the Fall Quarter celebrating two “NU Years!” Dozens of excited freshman participated in Hillel’s 21st annual Freshman Fest, an overnight celebration of the arrival of the Class of 2018. Only one short week later, hundreds of students gathered in the Fiedler Hillel building to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Our students have continued to celebrate Jewish life on campus, helping to build our beautiful Sukkah, spending Shabbat dinner with new friends at Hillel, and registering for our Winter TaglitBirthright Israel and Service Learning in Jamaica trips. We hope to see you at Family Weekend as we host Shabbat dinner and a Sunday morning brunch for our NU Hillel Families.
CONTINUING TO CELEBRATE NU HILLEL @ 80! NU Hillel continues to celebrate its eighth decade of enriching Jewish life on campus with more exciting events this fall. Visit our exhibit in University Library to see the history of NU Hillel on display through the fall quarter. We are thrilled to welcome noted journalist and author (and Medill alumnus) Yossi Klein Halevi as the featured guest at NU Hillel’s 80th Annual Speaker Event on December 1. Please email shayna.horwitz@u.northwestern.edu to RSVP or to request more information. We hope to see you there!
FAMILY WEEKEND
JOIN US FOR FAMILY WEEEKEND - NOVEMBER 7TH - 9TH New Student and Family Programs looks forward to another great Family Weekend. Friday’s events include Back to School sessions, lectures with faculty favorites on topics of interest just for family members, and NU Revue, our annual student variety show featuring performances ranging from dance to a capella to improv comedy. On Saturday, join us for remarks from Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro, a game-day tailgate, and the ‘Cats afternoon football match against the University of Michigan. Tailgate tickets and game tickets are still available for purchase online. On Sunday, take advantage of brunch with your students in select dining halls and more. For a full schedule of events, registration, and more, please visit our website at www.northwestern.edu/orientation.
ATHLETICS
FAMILY WEEKEND Family Weekend is November 7th through 9th. Join the Men’s Basketball team on Friday the 7th for their home opener against McKendree. Tickets are just $10 and available at NUsports.com. On Saturday the 8th, join us for the football game against Michigan at 2:30 pm. Tickets are still available for purchase through www.NUsports.com. Finally, if you’re in town on Sunday the 9th, check out the women’s basketball team at 2 p.m. when they take on UW-Parkside. Admission is free for this exhibition contest.
MEN’S BASKETBALL Join second year head coach Chris Collins and the Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena this season. Limited season tickets remain for the season, which starts November 7th. Visit NUsports.com for ticket and schedule information.
BASEBALL Friends of the Northwestern baseball program gathered at Rocky Miller Park on Saturday, October 18th for a groundbreaking ceremony that celebrated the improvements that are currently being made to the home of the Wildcats. For more information on the new facility, visit SupporttheCats.com.
HOMECOMING
Photo by Nick Brilowski
Photo by Bruce Powell
HOMECOMING RECAP To see pictures and relive the fun from October 17th through 19th’s Homecoming at Northwestern, a weekend full of events celebrating Wildcat spirit, visit University Relation’s writeup of the festivities here.
ALL ABOUT THE ‘CATS University Historian Kevin Leonard shares how Northwestern came to have the wildcat as a mascot and shows some of the favorite ‘cats in NU history with this fun video. Watch it here: http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2014/10/history-of-willie-thewildcat.html
UPCOMING EVENTS View PlanIt Purple for upcoming events and details at NU!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH FALL FAITH FEST Northwestern University celebrates spiritual diversity with thoughtful conversation, great music, free food, and more! Lallene Rector, president of Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Morton Schapiro, NU President, will kick off the celebration with remarks.
NOVEMBER 7TH THROUGH 9TH FAMILY WEEKEND THURSDAY, NOVEMBER13TH NU NIGHT AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO Did you know the entrance fee to the Art Institute of Chicago is always free for undergraduate students? Students, faculty, alumni, and staff will have Trip Advisor’s #1 museum in the world to themselves on the 13th. Read more about last year’s event and encourage your student to take advantage of all the Art Institute has to offer!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER14TH FREE POTTERY NIGHT AT ARTICA ARTica invites students to come and create a ceramic bowl free of charge. Bowls will be used in the spring for the Empty Bowl Luncheon benefitting Campus Kitchens.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND NU DAY AT THE RACE EXHIBIT Students will have the opportunity to see the RACE Exhibit and permanent exhibits at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. The event features a talk by Noor Ali, Assistant Director of Multicultural Student Affairs. Transportation and entrance to the museum are free; students can register here.
PROMOTIONS LAZYBONES STUDENT LAUNDRY & STORAGE Lazybones Student Laundry & Storage is Northwestern’s official student laundry provider. The company has been providing world-class service for 20 years at schools like Syracuse, UW Madison, and Boston University. To celebrate fall and a great start to the school year, they are offering pickup and delivery laundry service to new customers only for $0.95 per pound from now until November 4th. No packages. No commitments. Just give us a try!
Student Laundry & Storage
For more information, visit to Lazybones Laundry & Storage’s website at http:// www.mylazybones.com or email customer service at wecare@mylazybones.com. Students leave their Lazybones laundry bag in the Lazybones bin located at their residence hall and it is returned to them 24 hours later washed and folded, looking and
CONTACT USS New Student and Family Programs 600 Haven St. J100 Evanston, IL 60208 family@northwestern.edu 847-467-3988 www.northwestern.edu/orientation