Emailed to Northwestern staff on October 8, 2024
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR | UPCOMING EVENTS | REMINDERS | FEATURES |PAST EVENTS | PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS
Dear Northwestern Staff:
After a beautiful summer, I hope you’re settling comfortably into the fall quarter. I’m Cymon Kimmel, and I have the privilege of serving as the NUSAC Chair for fiscal year 2025. My journey at Northwestern began in 2012, and I currently serve as the Assistant Director of Enrollment Management at the School of Professional Studies. This is my fourth year representing staff on NUSAC.
The start of the fall quarter and the new fiscal year brings a renewed sense of excitement as students return to classes and staff start working on individual and departmental goals. As you embark on this part of the journey, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your contributions to our community with pride.
NUSAC is committed to being a resource for you and amplifying your voice through community engagement and professional development opportunities. One upcoming event I’d like to highlight is the Career Conversations offered by Talent Acquisition at the end of October. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with a Talent Acquisition Partner, review your resume, and discuss internal career growth. I hope you take the time to connect with your colleagues in this way. In this issue, you’ll find additional spaces and opportunities where NUSAC will be present and ready to engage with you.
This year, we also welcomed four new members to NUSAC, who will be featured on our website soon. Our mission is fulfilled only when we engage with the community and remain focused on your perspectives. Your input is essential, so please don’t hesitate to reach out and share your thoughts. I encourage you to contact us at NUSAC@northwestern.edu and sign up for our listserv to stay connected.
Thank you for continuing to maintain and enhance our dedicated staff community. Your contributions are truly invaluable.
With gratitude,
Cymon Kimmel
NUSAC Chair
Upcoming Events
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Career Conversations with Talent Acquisition: October 28-November 1 During the week of October 28, Talent Acquisition will be opening their schedules to offer staff the opportunity to meet with a Talent Acquisition team member over the phone, via Zoom, or onsite at the Human Resources office. Through the Career Conversations link below, you can connect with Northwestern’s Talent Acquisition experts for personalized advice on crafting your resume, interview preparation, exploring internal career paths, and building your network. Visit the link below to schedule your conversation. Can’t attend during that week? Career Conversations is active throughout the year so don’t hesitate to reach out whenever works best for you! |
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Staff Tuition Benefit Webinar: Friday, October 11 Have you been thinking about utilizing your Northwestern staff tuition benefit (either personally or for dependents)? Join this lunchtime webinar hosted by NUSAC and the Office of Human Resources to learn more and to get your questions answered. 12:00-12:45pm: Employee Benefits 12:45-1:30pm: Dependent Benefits |
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Ombuds Day Open House: Thursday, October 10 The Office of the Ombudsperson invites the Northwestern University community to attend the 3rd annual Ombuds Day Open House on Thursday, October 10, 2024, between 9:30-11:30am at 555 Clark Street, Suite 209, Evanston, IL 60208. This event is a great opportunity to meet University Ombudsperson, Sarah Klaper, Associate Ombudsperson, Kamaria Porter, and Program Coordinator, Carrie Thomas. Enjoy breakfast while learning more about the valuable services they offer. For questions, please reach out to the Office of the Ombudsperson at ombuds@northwestern.edu or (847) 467-2430. |
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Open Enrollment: Monday, October 21 – Friday, November 8 The choices you make during Open Enrollment shape the benefits that will be working for you and your family throughout the coming year. Open Enrollment for January 1, 2025 plan changes and FSA/HSA enrollment will open at 8:30am on Monday, October 21, and close at 5:00pm on Friday, November 8. Human Resources will also be hosting a Virtual Benefits & Well-being Fair with live events throughout the month of October. Be sure to visit the Virtual Benefits & Well-being Fair page for more information! |
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Northwestern Night at the Art Institute: Thursday, October 10 The next Northwestern Night at the Art Institute of Chicago is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2:00-8:00pm. All Northwestern faculty, staff, students, and their guests are invited to enjoy free admission to the museum with the first 100 in attendance receiving a commemorative event poster. No registration is required to participate in this free event. Visitors will present their Wildcard at the Northwestern welcome desk at the Michigan Ave (lions) entrance to receive their museum tickets. As part of this event, attendees will have the opportunity to join three guided tours. Sign-ups to participate will be available at the Northwestern welcome table.
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Reminders
NUSAC Updates
As we start the new fiscal year, we say goodbye to some of our council members, all of whom completed their two 3-year terms as council members: Inez De La Fuente, Ishrat Fatima, Stephanie Simko, and Joan Trimuel Williams. Joan served NUSAC as both Chair and Vice Chair during her tenure.
We are fortunate to also welcome four new council members this year: Colleen Kjellberg, Christian Murau, Alexandra Steinberg, and Hope Wallace. Read more about our council members on our website!
Winter Recess
This year’s Winter Recess will be December 26, 27, and 30. Winter Recess refers to the closing of the University’s academic and administrative offices between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. This is done in recognition of the season and dedication of Northwestern’s faculty and staff. Winter Recess days are not holidays but are provided in addition to the already scheduled University holidays of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Flu Shots
Human Resources has partnered with CVS to host on-campus flu shots this fall. NEW! The updated COVID-19 vaccine will also be available.
The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are free for employees enrolled in a University-sponsored Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois (BCBSIL) health insurance plan. Insurance information will need to be entered when scheduling your appointment.
Voter Services for Students, Faculty, & Staff
Need to register, check, or update your voter registration, or request an absentee ballot? NU Votes, Northwestern’s nonpartisan voter engagement initiative is available to help students, faculty, and staff register and vote. Clink the link below for information about in-person and virtual support options. Registration and ballot request deadlines are quickly approaching, so act now to make sure your voice is heard in November!
Features
2024-25 One Book Selection
One Book One Northwestern announced that the One Book selection for 2024-25 is “The Night Watchman“ by Louise Erdrich. Based on the extraordinary life of National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich’s grandfather who worked as a night watchman and carried the fight against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, D.C., this powerful novel explores themes of love and death with lightness and gravity and unfolds with the elegant prose, sly humor, and depth of feeling of a master craftsman. Erdrich will be on the Evanston campus on October 15, 2024, in conversation with One Book faculty chairs Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy and Megan Bang. Please visit Northwestern’s One Book webpage for more information.
NVP: Northwestern’s Valuable Personnel
Did you know that Northwestern Human Resources hosts a Gratitude Wall which helps to celebrate and recognize the special contributions made by members of the Northwestern community? NUSAC is proud to highlight a staff member each term from the gratitude wall by spotlighting them in our newsletter and honoring them with a small token of appreciation and recognition as well. Our Fall 2024 staff member highlight is Katherine (Kat) Hasso!
Northwestern Athletics
Join the Purple Pulse – Northwestern Athletics’ Faculty and Staff Teams Channel
Northwestern Athletics has launched Purple Pulse – a Microsoft Teams Channel specifically for Northwestern faculty and staff. This will be a platform not for solicitation but for discounted or free events, community programming for University members and their families, and other opportunities relevant to faculty and staff. This will also be the first place to advertise our faculty and staff game at Men’s Basketball this year, where we will honor members of the Northwestern community and include an opportunity with the team before game day. More to come via the Teams channel! Join Purple Pulse.
‘Cats Community Connection Newsletter
Northwestern Athletics sends a monthly newsletter covering community-based events and programming, including collection drives benefiting our community, free events, community recognitions at upcoming gamedays, and more! Join the ‘Cats Community Newsletter.
If you have any questions on either platform, please contact Rebekah Sigman at rebekah.sigman@northwestern.edu.
Financial Wellness Learning Opportunities
First Northern Credit Union (FNCU), the official credit union for Northwestern University, is hosting a variety of in-person workshops and online webinars to help support staff, faculty, students, and alumni. On Wednesday, October 23, from 5:30-6:30pm, FNCU will be hosting a Dinner Workshop: Using Your Home’s Equity in 2024.
With rates changing so much recently, are you thinking about making improvements to your home, but not sure the best way to finance it? Are you wondering about the difference between a home equity loan, a home equity line of credit, and a cash-out refinance, and which may be right for you? Are you a homeowner looking to consolidate your debt in the best way, or to access additional funds in case of an unexpected need? Are you questioning if now is the right time, or if you should wait?
To register, click the link below and select the “In-Person Workshops” tab. Use the link to also learn about other in-person workshops, community events, and online webinars.
Big Ten Academic Alliance Staff Development Program on Internationalization
The Office of the Vice President for International Relations (VPIR) is accepting applications for the 2025 Big Ten Academic Alliance Staff Development Program on Internationalization. The application deadline is Monday, October 28, 2024.
This cohort-based program has been developed for Big Ten Academic Alliance institution staff members to learn about the internationalization of higher education and best partnership practices throughout the Big Ten and with partners abroad. The 2025 program includes participation in 5 virtual webinars and 5 coffee hours (starting in January 2025, usually held on Fridays), and a one-week in-person field experience in Spain from June 7-14, 2025. VPIR will award this opportunity to two Northwestern staff members. For more information and to apply, visit the International Relations website. For questions, please email Kim Rapp, Assistant Vice President for International Relations.
Past Events
Coffee & Connection
NUSAC was thrilled to partner with Northwestern’s Well-Being Team to co-host Coffee & Connection events on the Evanston campus on September 12 and the Chicago campus on September 18. The events were well-attended. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about NUSAC and take some time to engage with Northwestern colleagues.
Coffee & Connection is an informal on-campus coffee hour for staff and faculty. In our current work landscape, where many employees have a hybrid schedule, it can be challenging to socially connect with one another. Coffee & Connection provides an opportunity for purposeful connection and networking with colleagues or time to simply take a break.
To RSVP for an upcoming Coffee & Connection event, please visit HR’s Well-Being website.
To learn more about NUSAC, we encourage you to visit our website.
Mobile DMV
For the second time in the past year, NUSAC invited the Illinois Secretary of State’s Mobile DMV to campus for services exclusive to Northwestern staff, including driver’s license and state identification renewals, vehicle registration stickers, and organ and tissue donor and voter registration.
The events took place on August 6 on the Evanston campus and August 9 on the Chicago campus, and we continue to receive significant interest and positive feedback regarding this service. We hope to offer this again during this academic year.
