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: 42 (37 students; 5 faculty/staff). Total quarantined or isolated: 97 (49 on campus; 48 off campus). (Numbers as of Sept. 11, 2020; 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.

American Indian Circle Program Cultural Education Time

Northern State University 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 in Spafford 106 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 fall 2020 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 NSU campus community to come and participate in our monthly Smudge. Everyone is welcome!

Come on in to the library! We’re OPEN!

The library hours are:

Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. (Swipe card access after 5 p.m. for all valid NSU IDs - faculty, staff and students.)

Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday, CLOSED

Sunday, 1-11 p.m. (Swipe card access all day for all valid NSU IDs - faculty, staff and students.)

If you have a Valid NSU ID, you are already programmed to have access by swiping your card after 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and all day Sunday.

The library is a public building and masks are required. Please practice social distancing.

Questions? Email reference@northern.edu.

CETL to Digitally Host Visiting Scholar

On Wednesday, Sept. 16^th at noon, CETL will be digitally hosting a visiting scholar from Macomb Community College in Michigan, Dr. Chris Gilliard. Dr. Gilliard is an expert in privacy, institutional technologies, and the discriminatory practices associated with data mining and algorithmic decision-making. He has spoken at academic conferences such as University of Oklahoma's Academic Technology Expo, The Digital Pedagogy Institute and SXSWedu. He has also written for popular presses such as The Chronical of Higher Education, Spark, Fast Company, and Motherboard. We are deeply honored to host Dr. Gilliard, who will be leading a discussion on the privacy and discrimination issues associated with education technologies. We can accommodate up to 12 people in person in LIB 117, where we will provide a light lunch offering of sandwiches and chips (please send RSVP to CETL@northern.edu today), or you can join by Zoom on  Wednesday 9/16 at noon. We hope you will all be able to join us either live or via Zoom for what is sure to be an engaging talk.

NSU to Celebrate Constitution Day

NSU will celebrate Constitution Day on Thursday, Sept. 17, which commemorates the Sept. 17, 1787, signing of the United States Constitution. For more information about Constitution Day at NSU, contact Dr. Ric Dias at ric.dias@northern.edu. Visit NSU Constitution Day to find information such as Constitution Fun Facts and an interactive quiz.

Faculty Showcase

The annual NSU School of Fine Arts Faculty Showcase Recital is set for Thursday, Sept. 17. The showcase, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater, will include an array of solo and chamber performances by NSU music faculty. Due to COVID-19, admission is free to all 2020-21 NSU School of Fine Arts events. Limited seating is available, and masks are required for all patrons, as mandated by the S.D. Board of Regents. For more information, visit northern.edu/artsnsu or call 605-626-2497.

Varsity Votes

NSU Student Involvement and Leadership invites students to participate in Varsity Votes! Varsity Votes is a Super Smash Bros Tournament, happening Sept. 19-20, that aims to bring gaming and civic engagement together. There's also a chance to win a prize pot of $500 and a whole lot of Ritual Motion and Hyper X gear! Join us as an individual competitor during the open play event, or sign up with your Varsity Team to take part in a Super Smash Bros crew battle. Entry is free, and the weekend battles will be streamed on our Twitch channel. Questions? Contact NSU SIL at 605-626-3007.

Student Events Calendar and Virtual Events List

Looking for a way to stay connected during this strange social distancing time? Need a way to stay active? Just need a break from studying and Zooming? In quarantine and looking for things to do? Check out the Student Events Calendar or the Virtual Events list! The calendar has everything from student club meetings, Supplemental Instruction, Intramural Open Gyms, CAB events, service projects, and more! Or, check out the Virtual Events list to tour a world-renowned museum, visit a national park, or host a Hulu watch party with friends. As Brené Brown says, “Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” So, stay connected, Wolves. We’re in this together.

• Download the NSU Mobile App to have the list of Student Events at your fingertips
• Student Events Calendar
• Virtual Events

Student Government Association Elections

Elections for Student Government Association are fast approaching, and YOU could be in the next Senate! Become a student leader on campus and make a difference. SGA is in charge of allocating funds to NSU's clubs and organizations. It also serves as the official voice of the students whose influence can affect the decisions of the school, the legislature and the governor. Elections shall take place Sept. 21-23. Based on your major, you can run for Senator from the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Fine Arts, College of Professional Studies, or Graduate Studies. Other available Senator positions include Freshman, At-Large and International Students. To run, email Interim President Patrick Minihan at patrick.minihan@wolves.northern.edu with your name and the position you would like to run for by September 4th. You may also reach out to Patrick with any questions.

Homecoming Events

• You think you know the candidates, but how well do you know them? Join us in the Centennial Rooms of the Student Center at 7 p.m. Monday of Homecoming to test not only your knowledge about our candidates, but also your knowledge about the Roaring 20s and even some Northern facts. See you there for treats and fun!
• It’s Art Night like you’ve never seen it before. Stop by and pick up your Art Kit from the Centennial Rooms on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to make something fabulous for your living space. You can either grab and go or stay and watch black and white movies with us. Make sure to find your perfect design before coming! Mocktails will be available to add a little class to this Howling 20s Night!
• Hold up: What would a Howling 20s-themed Homecoming week be without a showing of The Great Gatsby? Grab your favorite blanket and pillow, and head to Wachs Arena for a great time! We have the popcorn and soda available for you starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
• It’s a tradition we can’t live without: On Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mall of the Student Center, you could get a walking taco lunch for just $1. Thank you to Dean Blackburn who will be paying for the first 50 students! So get there early because our Walking Tacos go fast!
• On Thursday evening at 7 p.m., we will host our annual Coronation Celebration in Johnson Fine Arts Center. With only 250 tickets, you are going to want to make sure and stop by SC 222 to pick yours up. Coronation is a night of excitement as we crown this year’s Homecoming Queen and Marshal. Don’t miss the fun and excitement! Then, make sure to stop by the Bonfire Bash in the BC Parking Lot right after to enjoy a fun night of dancing and live music!
• Friday night, we will all head out to the Athletic and Recreation Field for the Homecoming Extravaganza. Join us for all sorts of outdoor activities starting at 7 p.m. We hope to see you there for this night of relaxing and fun!
• Lastly, we may not have a parade, but that doesn’t mean that the fun has to end. Saturday at 2 p.m., we will be hosting a Scavenger Hunt throughout Aberdeen and the NSU Campus. Meet us at the Student Center at 2 p.m. to get your first clue!

Flu Shot Clinic

A flu shot clinic for all benefits-eligible staff and covered dependents is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Avera Student Center Centennial rooms. More information can be found in the Benefits Newsletter from the state in the coming weeks. Please bring your state Dakota Care ID to your appointment.

Job Openings at NSU

Just a reminder that NSU posts all current job openings at the SDBOR website. Remember to check out the site for opportunities around campus!

Community Spotlight: St. Mary’s Catholic Church

St. Mary’s Catholic Church has a food pantry and would like to make sure that any students who are food-insufficient know about it. It is a no-questions-asked program. Students call the church office and request food help. The phone number is 605-229-4422. There will be a box of food assembled with their name on it and placed in the common area of the church, and the student drops by to get it. St. Mary’s is one of many churches and organizations in the Aberdeen community committed to helping our students.

Community Spotlight: Salvation Army Student Day

Students: Friday is Student Day at The Salvation Army! Please feel free to stop by The Salvation Army, 1003 Sixth Ave. S.W., every Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. for free produce and bread donated from local gardeners, farmers and grocers in Aberdeen. Just bring your student ID and fill a plastic bag with your favorite healthy snacks. (First come, first served basis.)

Free Online Tutoring Sessions

The NSU Tutoring Center offers free online sessions to any Northern student for all general education classes and most upper-level classes. The sessions are conducted through 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

Campus Recycling

NSU Recycling has resumed. Bins for plastic bottles and aluminum cans have been set up around campus. Please rinse all bottles and keep the caps on to limit the mess. We cannot currently recycle anything sticky, so please throw or rinse any frozen drink containers and sugary pop bottles. Questions? Contact Julie.Schroer@northern.edu or 605-626-3430.

Check Your NSU Mailbox

Students living on-campus: Remember to check your NSU mailbox in the lower level of the Avera Student Center! If you don’t know your box number and combination, stop at the post office window and someone will help you.

Common Read                                                                                                                             

Chris Arnade, author of “Dignity: Seeking Respect in Backrow America,” will deliver the NSU Larry and Julie Poeppel Family Common Read Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Johnson Fine Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The book is available for purchase on the Wolf Shoppe website under “Trade Books” for $18.95.

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.

Wolves Athletics

Stay up to date with NSU Wolves news on the athletics webpage.