Campus map kiosks
Four campus map kiosks will be installed on campus to help orient visitors. Kiosks will have an overhead canopy and will be located on walkways at the east and west pedestrian campus entrances. Construction began in Aug. 2007 and will be completed in Jan. 2008.
-Compiled by Mike Arch from the Facilities Management Bulletin
CTA doomsday averted
Lawmakers in Springfield passed a bill that would stop CTA service cuts by increasing the sales tax in Cook and surrounding counties, as well as a hike on Chicago real estate transactions. Though the bill was passed, it did not go quietly, with many from Governor Blagojevich’s own party protesting his tactics, drawing comparisons to Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro. “This should be a day of mourning. Today democracy is dead in Illinois,” said Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) to the Sun-Times. Other lawmakers have vowed to introduce legislation that would curtail the Governor’s power.
-T.C. Chung, Business Manager
Fire alarm upgrades
The PE fire alarm system had not been updated since the building was constructed in 1988, and the CCICS system had not been updated since 1972. This project installed new fire/smoke detectors and voice/visual activation devices in both buildings. Work was completed in Dec. 2007.
-Compiled by Mike Arch from the Facilities Management Bulletin
In remembrance:
Robin Archie
On Dec. 21, 2007 the NEIU community lost a friend. Robin Archie was a beloved political science tutor who had just turned 54. She was a great friend and will be missed. She received her B.A. with honors from NEIU and was perusing an M.A. in political science; she wanted to work for the state department. This suited Robin because she loved to travel. On Jan. 23 from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. there will be a remembrance service for Robin in the golden eagles room. The NEIU Community wants to let Robin’s family know our thoughts and prayers go out to them. We will miss you Robin.
-Eron McCormick, Staff Writer
Lights out
At about 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 there was a brief power outage in the Classroom building and Student Union. According to Staff Clerk Charity Valencia in the Facilities Management Department, the power outage was due to a ComEd Issue.
-Mike Arch, News Editor
New parking permit dispenser
Visitors have two places to get a daily parking permit: the Parking Office and the dispenser next to Building J, which was updated in Dec. 2007. There are plans to place a second dispenser in the Parking Facility.
-Compiled by Mike Arch from the Facilities Management Bulletin
Spring club training
It is that time again. Clubs are to attend basic training for the spring semester. Two training sessions are being offered for busy students. One will be held Friday, Jan. 25, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. in SU003. The other session will be held in two parts on Tuesday, Jan. 29 and Thursday, Jan. 31 during activity hour in SU003. Attendance to both parts is required.
Those organizations that attended the fall semester’s basic training, they are not required to attend. It is encouraged but not required. Basic training is mandatory for all organizations that were: chartered during the fall semester, became inactive because they did not attend fall semester’s basic training, or that have been inactive and are now ready to renew activity. During the fall semester, many clubs became inactive because they did not attend basic training.
Those clubs attending will be divided into two groups. New officers and future leaders will learn about policies, programming, and funding requirements while seasoned officers will learn more about leadership opportunities, membership recruitment, and retention and transitioning in new leadership. If there are any other questions, stop by or call the student activities office.
-Lenny Ocasio, Business Assistant
Aikido Club
Northeastern Illinois University Campus Recreation is sponsoring Aikido Club. Aikido teaches how to subdue attackers without violence. Aikido emphasizes self-awareness, awareness of others, and the coordination of the movements of the body. Aikido stresses having a calm and unified state of mind. It is excellent exercise for physical conditioning, and fun to do. Aikido classes are free and non-credit classes held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4:15 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. They are held in the auxiliary gym of the Physical Education building. Anyone is welcome to start at any time. Skilled instructors are there to help new students of every skill level.
-Lenny Ocasio, Business Assistant
Diversity in student leadership awards
The Student Activities Office (SAO) has announced that 13 Student Leadership Awards are now up for grabs. Students can nominate themselves or they may nominate others, and the (SAO) is currently accepting applications. Student organizations must be nominated for awards online and by the student body.
The awards cover diverse and important areas of leadership, and they all have some specific requirements. Awards are geared toward either student leadership, overall leadership of a student organization or a volunteer organization advisor. Although organization advisors are not students, a Student Leadership Award was created for them so that appreciation for their hard work (which goes unpaid) will be enhanced within NEIU. Director of Student Activities Sharron Evans explained some general requirements the SAO looks for in their decisions on which individual students to award, and she praises a “high commitment level and ability to balance leadership with academics.”
More information on Student Leadership Awards and applications are available online at neiu.edu/~deptsao. The application deadline is Feb. 22, and all applications must be submitted online. Announcement of all awards will occur at the Inaugural Leadership Recognition Banquet on April 24.
-Kelly Lucia, Copy Editor
Vote early, vote often
Early voting for the Feb. 5 Illinois Primary began Monday, Jan. 14, as announced by the Cook County Clerk Office. Voters will be able to vote at 44 different sites around Cook County.
“Anyone who is registered to vote can vote early” said Cook County Clerk David Orr. Early Voting runs until Jan. 31.
To vote early, a voter needs to bring a government issued photo ID. Some examples include a drivers license, State ID, or passport. No excuse is needed to vote early, unlike absentee voting. If you want to vote early due to weather or just to avoid long lines, it doesn’t matter.
Visit voterinfonet.com for a list of early voting locations and their hours.
-Mike Arch, News Editor
Welcome back party
A Welcome Back Party with a Mardi Gras theme. will be held Friday, Jan. 25th in the P.E Complex building in the main gym. It will begin at 5 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m. There will be a small charge of $3 for NEIU students and $5 for others. Our hope is to create unity among the students and the organizations on campus.
Students can socialize, eat, dance and enjoy themselves with their fellow classmates. Between the hours of 5 pm and 8 pm pizza and popcorn will be provided for the first 200 people on a first-come first-serve basis. We are also planning on perhaps showing a movie in the beginning between the hours of 5pm and 7pm.
-Adeicha Martinez, Senator / Chairman of the Student Welfare Committee, Special Contributor
Rush Theta Chi Omega
The sisters of Theta Chi Omega Multicultural Sorority are holding spring 2008 rush the beginning the week of Jan. 28. The sorority’s rush week is full of events and outings for interested ladies to become acquainted with the sorority. The sisters will hold activities on and off campus. For more information on events and times visit thetachiomega.bravehost.com or e-mail the sisters directly at neiu_thetas@yahoo.com.
Travel costs and expenses for rush activities are the responsibility of each individual. Sisters may assist with travel arrangements if necessary. It is not required for interested women to attend all rush activities for Theta Chi Omega; however, it is a very good way to become acquainted with the sisters and sisterhood.
During rush activities interested ladies are encouraged to ask questions and to determine if Theta Chi Omega is indeed right for them. Founded Oct. 8, 1999 at University of Texas at Arlington, Theta Chi Omega Multicultural Sorority is Northeastern Illinois University’s first and only multicultural Greek organization.
-Thelma Coleman, Opinions Editor
United Greek Council
The Greek Organization Fair will be held in the Village Square on Jan. 30th, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a chance for any student interested in Greek life to meet all six organizations at once.
Information will be available for anyone wanting to learn more about fraternity and sorority life. Current members will be in attendance to answer any questions.
-Claudia Mercado, Advisor
10% Metra fare hike
A fare hike for Metra trains is planned to go live on Feb. 1, 2008. The Metra board calls the decision neccesary for Metra to begin to recover from years of loss and inadequate funding.
Metra assures its riders that all profits from the fare hike will be wisely invested back into its system. The money will be used to keep Metra running at the same pace it is now.
Under this new rate hike weekend tickets would rise to $7 per ticket for one day of umlimited rides from any zone, Saturday or Sunday. A list of all 2008 fares can be found at metrarail.com.
-David Mosher, Production Manager