Welcome to the NSU News Update - providing information on events happening on campus or involving NSU students, staff and faculty.
To submit a news item, send it via email to NSUNews@northern.edu by 5 p.m. Thursday of the week before the announcement should run.
COVID-19 News
- Current Self-Reported Case Count: Total active cases: 17 (12 students; 5 faculty/staff). Total students quarantined or isolated: 45 (6 on campus; 39 off campus). (Numbers as of March 31, 2021; please note: those in quarantine/isolation aren’t necessarily confirmed or symptomatic cases)
- Mask Level: NSU is at Level 3, which requires face coverings in all public indoor spaces on campus. Learn more about the SDBOR Face Covering Protocol here.
- Webpage Updates: Northern has updated its COVID-19 Webpage, now including various FAQs for students, faculty and staff.
- Requesting Supplies: To request COVID-19 supplies from NSU Facilities, please work with your supervisor to determine the proposed needs for your entire department and submit an order using this online form.
Aberdeen Area and NSU Job Fair
The 2021 Aberdeen Area and NSU Job Fair will take place 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, in the Barnett Center. NSU Career Services is partnering with Hub City Radio, SD Job Services/Department of Labor, and the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce on the event to bring a comprehensive career fair to Aberdeen. This fair is a way for employers to promote their organization, professional internships, and part-time, full-time and temporary employment opportunities available in the region to both students and community job seekers. Employers are encouraged to register through this online form by Monday, April 5. For more information, email careerservices@northern.edu or call 605-626-3007.
Upcoming CETL Event
Wednesday, April 7, at 3:30 p.m. in MJ 203, Lara Nelson, the Director of Northern’s American Indian Circle Program, will host a panel discussion on decolonizing data, research, and curriculum in higher education. Panelists will include Drs. Amber Henderson, Pamela Monaghan-Geernaert, Kristi Brownfield, and Dani McQuillen. A free assortment of cheese and crackers will be provided for those who attend in-person but not to those who attend via Zoom. (Passcode: 70uNqr). We hope to see you all here for this important discussion.
‘Fundraising Bark Sale’
A Business Leadership group is hosting a “Fundraising Bark Sale” for the Aberdeen Humane Society on April 7 and April 9 in the Student Center from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. both days. The group will have baked goods, fruit and snacks available for purchase. They will be accepting monetary and pet supply donations at the booth. All donations will be given to the Humane Society.
Campus Town Hall
A campus town hall will take place 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, in Krikac Auditorium. The in-person event will provide updates from the March 30-31 Board of Regents meeting, as well as general updates and comments from Provost Wanous. Please remember that masks are required, and please plan to practice safe social distancing. Comments may be submitted ahead of time using this online form. If you are unable to attend, a written recap, along with the PowerPoint, will be provided the following day on northern.edu/myNSU.
Distinguished Faculty Award
Dr. Ginny Lewis was selected as the recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Faculty Award. Dr. Lewis, a language and linguistics faculty member in the Languages, Literature, and Communication Studies department, arrived at Northern in 2005. She is an admired languages and linguistics professor, teaching a breadth of courses on-campus and online. Dr. Lewis is also a distinguished scholar, using her wealth of knowledge in the German language to establish the "Germans-from-Russia" collections in collaboration with Williams Library. Further, her service as chair of the third-year review committee and chair of the CAS strategic planning efforts are invaluable to the mission of the CAS. These are a few of the contributions Dr. Lewis brings to the CAS. Congratulations, Dr. Lewis!
Salvation Army College Day
College Day is every Wednesday afternoon at the Salvation Army Community Corps Center (not the Thrift Store), 1003 Sixth Ave S.W. Free food is available from 1 to 5 p.m. Students can bring their own bags, or grocery sacks are available on the donation table. Enter the east side of the building and the receptionist will direct students to the donation table.
Student Webinar
Through the Healthy Homes Partnership, students are invited to participate in a free, one-hour webinar that focuses on actions students can take in their residence to maintain or improve indoor air quality for optimum respiratory health. The webinar will be offered on the following dates and times (Central Time): April 9 at noon; April 12 at 6 p.m.; April 20 at noon; and April 22 at 6 p.m. Students are asked to register for the webinar at this link.
Instructional Technology is offering the following trainings in MJ203 and via Zoom:
· Friday, April 9, at 2 p.m. - Saving Zoom Recordings in Panopto (Faculty and Staff Training)
· Wednesday, April 14, at 2 p.m. - Copyright in Higher Ed (Faculty Training)
For more information on upcoming trainings, please see our training schedule. To register, please see our registration form.
‘Pirates of Penzance’
The School of Fine Arts will present the "The Pirates of Penzance" in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Jewett Theater. This staged concert production combines the talents of the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony, NSU Opera and NSU Theatre. Performances will run at 7:30 p.m. nightly on April 9 and 10. A classic comedic operetta from the famous duo of Gilbert and Sullivan, “The Pirates of Penzance” is the spirited story of a young duty-bound pirate named Frederic falling in love with Mabel, the charming daughter of the Major-General. What follows is a humorous musical collision of bumbling pirates, strong-willed daughters and none-too-serious police. Due to COVID-19, admission is free to all 2020-21 School of Fine Arts events. Limited seating is available; passes will be distributed at the door on a first come, first served basis. Masks are required for all patrons, and attendees are asked to follow appropriate social-distancing protocols.
Northern Lights Launch Party
The Annual Northern Lights launch party is set for April 14, 2021, at 5 p.m. in the Statue Garden next to JFAC. (In case of bad weather we will move the launch to the Black Box Theater, located in JFAC.) Print issues will be available for purchase (cash or Venmo accepted) at the launch party and afterward by contacting current President Madi Filber: madi.filber@wolves.northern.edu. All students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome!
‘Native Soul Art’ Exhibit
Jerry Fogg’s “Native Soul Art: 11 Degrees of Tatanka” will be on display until May 14 in the JFAC Gallery. On Wednesday, April 14, artist Jerry Fogg will be in the JFAC Gallery from 4-5 p.m. to discuss his work and artistic process. During this time, drum group T’a Bloka Ska will be in the JFAC lobby performing songs. This event is free and open to the public. Masks are required for all patrons, and attendees are asked to follow appropriate social-distancing protocols. Jerry Fogg, an enrolled member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe (Ihanktowan Nakota Sioux Oyate), uses various materials to create unique works of art that tell a story. “Foggma” is the name Fogg has given his distinct mixed media style and approach. Every piece is one-of-a-kind, and never reproduced.
Native Art and Sound Event
Northern is hosting a native art and sound event on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Johnson Fine Arts Center Gallery and lobby. Artist Jerry Fogg will be discussing his artwork, “Native Soul Art: 11 Degrees of Tatanka,” which is currently on display in the JFAC Galley. Drum group T’a Bloka Ska will be performing songs in the JFAC lobby area as well. This event is sponsored by the Native American Student Association, American Indian Circle Program, Multicultural Student Affairs and Northern Art Galleries. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Masks are required for all patrons, and attendees are asked to follow appropriate social-distancing protocols.
Senior Art Exhibition
Brandi Krueger’s senior art exhibition will be on display April 4-17 in the NSU Lincoln Gallery. The reception for her exhibition will be at 6 p.m. April 14 in the Lincoln Gallery. Her art will feature paintings, drawings, digital art and printmakings from landscapes, nature and humanism.
‘Equity-minded Faculty Workloads’ Workshop
“Equity-minded Faculty Workloads by Design,” a workshop with Dr. KerryAnn O'Meara, will take place at 10 a.m. CST April 16 via Zoom. O'Meara, professor of higher education at the University of Maryland, will share what she learned with colleagues during a five-year, action research project aimed at promoting equity in how faculty labor is taken up, assigned and rewarded. Registration is required to access the Zoom link. Please contact meredith.redlin@sdstate.edu.
Annual Enrollment Reminder
Just a reminder for all benefits eligible staff: Annual enrollment for your insurance is right around the corner – May 3-17. You should be receiving regular emails and mailings at home from the South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources regarding the changes to the plans this year. All staff will be required to log into the annual enrollment site in May to enroll in your benefits as your current elections will not roll over due to the significant changes to the plans. Please log into the benefits website here for further information and updates.
Spring Commencement
NSU will hold an in-person spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8, in the Barnett Center. Guests will be welcome, with each participating graduate receiving four tickets to use for family and friends. Masks will be required per S.D. Board of Regents policy, and attendees will be appropriately spaced throughout the Barnett Center. To accommodate graduates with more than four guests, alternate viewing sites will be made available on campus in the Johnson Fine Arts Center, and commencement will be live-streamed. For loved ones unable to attend, the ceremony will be live streamed through the Northern State University Facebook page, the NSU Graduation and Commencement page, and locally through cable channel 12.
American Indian Circle Program Cultural Education Time
NSU is dedicated to the recognition of tribal traditions and ceremonies that complement the holistic well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native students. The first Tuesday of every month from 12:15-12:30 p.m., we come together and have cultural education time to talk about what smudging is, the importance it symbolizes in Indigenous culture and a time of reflection. For the spring 2021 semester we ask that you mask up and meet on the campus green in front of Spafford so that there can be social distancing. The American Indian Circle Program would like to invite the campus community to come and participate in our monthly Smudge. Everyone is welcome!
NSU W.A.V.E. Student Organization
NSU Students: NSU W.A.V.E., or Wolves for Advocacy, Volunteerism and Engagement, is in the process of becoming NSU's newest student organization, and we are looking for students interested in becoming members and helping us with various volunteer opportunities on campus and in Aberdeen, as well as hosting programs and events on campus. Membership is open to all NSU students. If you are interested, please enter your name in the Google Form linked here and you will receive more information in your NSU email.
Online Tutoring Sessions
The NSU Tutoring Center offers free online sessions to any Northern student for all general education courses and most upper-level courses. The sessions are conducted via Zoom, which allows real-time interaction between students and tutors. For more information or to set up an online tutoring session, students can email nsututoringcenter@northern.edu
Employee Assistance Plan
Benefits eligible staff: Please keep in mind that your benefits plans include free use of our Employee Assistance Plan. Every eligible staff member has five free visits available with a counselor. If you need assistance, please utilize this wonderful benefit, found at this link; the password is southdakota.
Name Tag Orders
NSU Communications and Marketing orders name tags for employees once a month. To request a name tag for the next campus-wide order, fill out this online form.
Wolves Athletics
Stay up to date with NSU Wolves news on the athletics webpage.