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Summer 2016
815-753-0105 H @NIUNorthernStar H NorthernStar.info
Ombudsperson offers aid Sarah Klaper Ombudsperson
The Office of the Ombudsperson welcomes new students and their families to NIU. This time of year is exciting for the entire campus community. We are happy you have chosen to become part of NIU, and we hope you will enjoy the diverse educational and cultural experiences available to you here. At a university the size of NIU, it is possible for difficult situations to develop that you may not know how to address. You might have questions about particular university policies or procedures; you might want to know your options for resolving a problem or you might want to know the name of the appropriate office to contact about your particular circumstances. If these types of situations arise, you can contact the Office of the Ombudsperson for confidential assistance. Our free services are available to any member of the university community, including family members. Whenever you have a universityrelated concern, it is usually best to address it as soon as possible. The sooner you attend to the matter, the more options may be available for resolving the situation. However, if
Freeman: Start good habits now to succeed Lisa Freeman Provost
Armani Thomas | Northern Star File Photo
Ombudsperson Sarah Klaper gives a presentation for the annual report for the Office of the Ombudsperson at a University Council meeting April 11, 2015, in the Holmes Student Center, Sky Room.
you are not sure what steps to take, or even where to start, contact the Office of the Ombudsperson. Staff members in the office will listen to you, assess your situation, explain related policies or procedures, identify your available options and offer strategies for achieving a resolution. Typical issues brought to the attention of the ombudsperson include classroom issues, grade appeals, disciplinary matters, housing or roommate concerns and other interpersonal problems. Parents or other relatives of students can also contact the office to explore strategies for addressing concerns or circumstances
that have been shared with them by a student. The Office of the Ombudsperson is independent of the university’s formal administrative structure and maintains an impartial and objective point of view that can be helpful in resolving university concerns. The ombudsperson does not advocate for individuals or impose solutions. Instead, the ombudsperson works to empower you with information and advice so that you may effectively resolve your concern. Again, welcome to NIU. We hope that you enjoy the remainder of the summer. If you have any questions,
Ombudsperson’s job The Ombudsperson will listen, answer questions, analyze your situation, explain NIU policies, provide advice and more. The Ombudsperson will not conduct formal investigations or change policies or procedures. please do not hesitate to visit us at the Holmes Student Center, Room 601, or call us at 815-7531414 to ask a question or to schedule an appointment. You can also go to niu.edu/ombuds for additional information.
Northern PACT grows community Eric Weldy Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, I want to wholeheartedly welcome you to the Huskie family at NIU. The Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management has numerous departments and programs all focused on providing you with the information and support you need to be successful. Through these programs and services, we seek to actively engage students at every level and help them learn, develop and succeed inside and outside the classroom. As a way to help us create a campus community that is inclusive and supportive, one of the traditions we have at NIU is to embrace the Northern PACT — a collection of six principles focused on creating a caring community. In a purposeful community, academic goals are shared, and faculty and students work together to strengthen teaching and learning across campus. Take time to learn how to strive toward student career success, and actively seek out assistance with things that are challenging. In a just community, all people
News
Courtesy of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Students give away Northern PACT T-shirts during welcome week which takes place the week before school begins. For the fall 2016 semester, classes begin Aug. 22.
are valued and supported through the diversity of our community. I encourage you to be open to the experiences and views of others, to listen and to learn. In a caring community, the well-being of all is supported and service to others is encouraged. I urge you to find opportunities in and out of the classroom to give back to the campus community and seek help for yourself or others when in need. In an open community, freedom of expression is welcomed and others are respected. I want to hear from you, the students. I want to know what you think is going well at NIU, as well as what barriers you have encountered. Know that your voice will best be heard when you speak and act with dignity and character.
In a disciplined community, responsibility and expectations guide behavior for the common good. We are here to help you get connected, make smart and healthy choices and support you on your path to graduation. If you are unsure, get assistance. In a celebrative community, traditions are honored and both past and new rituals are embraced. Learn about our traditions and explore new rituals through involvement in and out of the classroom. Following these six principles can help you find success as a student and member of our Huskie family. Watch for Northern PACT events during welcome week. Once you arrive on campus, I encourage you to explore opportunities to develop leadership
Get involved: PACT • Become a Student Representative on the Northern PACT Committee • Attend a Bystander Intervention Education Training session • Volunteer at staff PACT events skills; find a student organization that fits your academic, social or spiritual needs; get involved in a campus diversity center; achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle and be intentional about exploring career opportunities. Go to bit.ly/1TXXvtp for a list of departments in the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Remember, we are here to support you in achieving your goals.
To our entering freshmen, new transfer students and all students who are new to NIU — welcome to the Huskie family. You are joining a university community full of opportunities. This is your chance to explore new ideas, try new activities and meet different kinds of people. Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors and the other students in your classes, even if their backgrounds are different from yours. Open yourself up to new experiences. Expect to be transformed by the knowledge you gain and the people you meet. Realize that your academic and career success depend not only on how you perform in the classroom, but also on how you engage in hands-on learning. Participating in activities such as undergraduate research, learning communities, study-abroad, community service and internships, will enhance your critical thinking skills, develop your leadership potential and provide you with the confidence to succeed at NIU and in life. If you can’t figure out how to get started, just ask. NIU students, faculty and staff members want to help you find your passion. We mean it when we say that your future is our focus. Take advantage of NIU’s Campus Recreation services and intramural programs to pursue a fitness regimen or sports interest. Exercise is good for your overall health and fitness and it boosts your mental well-being. There is no better time than now to start walking, running, swimming or kayaking. You can also get exercise into your daily routine by walking to class instead of getting the bus, or by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Promise yourself during your first year at NIU you will go to at least one student concert, dance or theater performance; one NIU athletic event and one guest lecture on an unfamiliar topic. Don’t miss out on hearing the NIU Steel Band play or watching the NIU gymnastics team compete, or attending a STEM café. Your NIU experience is what you make of it. Find a balance between work and social life. Go to class and keep up with assignments. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it and remember to have fun. These are things that I wish someone had told me when I entered college. I hope you find them helpful.
Freeman’s tips • Have fun • Ask for help when you need it • Add exercise to your routine