Emailed to Northwestern staff on April 4, 2025
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR | UPCOMING EVENTS | REMINDERS | FEATURES |PAST EVENTS | PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS
Dear Northwestern Staff:
Welcome to spring! This season is often associated with fresh starts, growth, and new perspectives. Just as nature is renewing itself, take this time as an opportunity to reflect on where you’ve been, where you want to go, and how to innovate and move forward with renewed energy.
As I reflect, I want to recognize efforts from the community, not only for contributions to the institution but also for being vocal advocates as the world around us continues to change. NUSAC has been fortunate to receive many requests, giving us the opportunity to create connections across schools, units, and senior administration. As a core pillar of NUSAC, seeing this in action has been great.
We continue to see many changes happening around us and now is a time to remember our strong roots of resilience, adaptability, and community. The future is unpredictable, but our planning for it can help. Take the time to recognize the importance of strategic goals and initiatives as you shape your plans for the future.
NUSAC remains a supportive council advocating for staff and amplifying voices. As a council of staff members, we rely on you and your input to help drive change at Northwestern. If you haven’t, please ensure you’re on our listserv to receive updates and email us with questions and suggestions.
We are also actively creating opportunities to network amongst staff, and one of those opportunities is to join us at a Northwestern Women’s Lacrosse game on April 17! Attendees will have a chance to win raffle prizes, including a limited membership at Henry Crown, a massage, vouchers for Protein Bar & Kitchen at Henry Crown, and two tickets to a Wirtz production. We look forward to seeing you soon!
We can only fulfill NUSAC’s mission with you, so continue to involve the council with your ideas and experiences. We also welcome collaboration opportunities on special events, training, and connections.
Thank you for everything you do.
With much gratitude,
Cymon Kimmel
NUSAC Chair
Upcoming Events
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NUSAC Staff Outing at Northwestern Lacrosse April 17 | NU vs. MichiganNUSAC invites all staff to join us for a staff outing on Thursday, April 17 when Northwestern Lacrosse hosts Michigan at 7 p.m. at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Doors open at 6 p.m. and free parking is available after 4 p.m. on campus. Support NU Cares with Your Ticket Purchase When you purchase tickets using the link below, you will receive a discounted ticket price of $10 (plus fees), and $4 of every ticket will be donated to the NU Cares fund. What is NU Cares? In times of temporary financial hardship, Northwestern faculty and staff may apply for up to $1,250 in funds from NU Cares, which is supported entirely by faculty and staff donations. Enter to Win a Staff-Only Raffle! Show your staff Wildcard at the marketing table to enter a raffle exclusively for Northwestern staff members. Prizes include a free massage at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (no membership required to use), two free tickets to a Wirtz Center production, and more! |
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Spring Arts & Crafts Fair – Discover Unique Handmade Creations! Celebrate the arrival of spring with the 2025 Spring Arts & Crafts Fair at Norris University Center! This event showcases incredible handmade works from talented members of the Northwestern community. Browse and shop for a wide variety of unique art pieces at a variety of price points—perfect for gifts, home décor, or a special treat for yourself. Don’t miss this opportunity to shop small, support local artists, and celebrate creativity with the Northwestern community! Shop One-of-a-Kind Art Get Creative Date: April 24, 2025 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. Location: Louis Room, Norris University Center Free & Open to the Public |
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All-Staff Golf Outing July 10th, 2025 Announcing the 10th annual All-Staff Golf Outing at Chick Evans Golf Course! Co-sponsored by NUSAC (sixth year) and Northwestern IT (ninth year), the event takes place on Thursday, July 10, with assigned tee times starting at 11:00 a.m. The cost is approximately $30-$50 per person, covering green fees and an electric cart. Register by Friday, June 27, using this registration form. If you cannot commit to attending until after the registration deadline, please fill out the form and let the organizers know – they might be able to fit you in! After signing up, an email meeting invitation will be sent, and payment instructions will follow. Once registration closes, those attending will receive information about tee times and pairings. The event will use a step-aside scramble format to balance skill levels within foursomes. Requests to play with a friend will be considered but are not guaranteed (players will be notified in advance if their request cannot be accommodated). Reminders:
Questions? Contact Brian Daly at brian.daly@northwestern.edu |
Reminders
Real ID
Beginning May 7, 2025, the federal government will require every person 18 years and older to present a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license or ID card or another acceptable form of identification — like a valid U.S. passport — to board a flight within the U.S. or enter a secure federal building.
Visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s website to learn more about the requirements, FAQs and to schedule an appointment to get your REAL ID.
Rebuilding Ryan Field, One Year In
Northwestern Now provides an update on construction on Ryan Field after a year of construction. Read more and see the progress. Photos and an over view of progress help bring to life the exciting new era in Wildcat athletics and a new community asset for the Northwestern and Evanston communities.
Performance Excellence
Performance Excellence, Northwestern’s annual performance management experience, is a vital part of how we perform and grow as staff. Visit the HR website to learn more about the philosophy behind the program and to find resources, FAQs and planners to ensure you have the support to maximize your performance and development through meaningful goals, ongoing coaching and feedback, and end-of-year performance reviews and conversations.
Tax Filing Assistance
April 15, 2025, is Tax Day, the last day to file your taxes with the IRS before penalties and interest may begin to accrue. Tax Day is also the last day to file for a tax extension.
In Chicagoland, the Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program (TAP) provides free basic tax return preparation for families earning up to $67,000 and individuals earning up to $35,000 per year.
Features
Leveraging your Northwestern Community and Resources
With so much happening in the world and at the university, NUSAC would like to highlight some tools and resources available at Northwestern to help you stay informed, help you focus on well-being & self-care, professional development, and community. Below are some key highlights to get you started. You are encouraged to explore the website for more offerings as this is not an exhaustive list.
To find messages and announcements from senior leadership, visit Northwestern’s Leadership Notes.
Well-being & self-care offers a mailing list for weekly up-to-date communications about well-being programs and events. Some wellness activities include Stretch Breaks, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Meditation, White Light Therapy, and other on-demand activities.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers SupportLinc, a free, confidential mental health and well-being services for you and your household. Services include (but are not limited to) short-term counseling, Textcoach Text Therapy, and Work/Life Training. To get started call 888-881-5462 or visit SupportLinc.com (use group code: northwestern to create an account).
Talent Development is here to help you with your professional development with resources available through LinkedIn Learning, Playlists, and Leadership Development, all available in myHR Learn.
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 Spring 2025 staff member highlight is Barbara Beeuwsaert!
April is Financial Wellness Month
April is Financial Wellness Month, making it the perfect time to take charge of your financial future! First Northern Credit Union (FNCU), the official credit union for Northwestern University, is offering a series of free webinars designed to help you improve your financial well-being. Whether you’re looking to build a budget, manage debt, or plan for long-term financial success, these expert-led sessions will provide valuable insights and practical strategies.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your financial knowledge and make informed decisions about your money. Sign up today and take the first step toward greater financial security with FNCU!
Learn About Northwestern Higher Education Programs
NU’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) Higher Education Programs can assist you with your goals, as they have 80+ graduates working across Northwestern who have deepened their higher education knowledge and skill set to develop their current role and prepare them for other positions. Join the Staff Development Committee on April 25 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. for a virtual information session with SESP and Student Affairs staff, who will cover:
• Writing an application purpose statement
• Utilizing Northwestern’s tuition benefit
• Program components and application process for three different tracks: Master’s degree, credit certificates, and non-credit certificates focused on assessment
Registration is not required.
'Cats Closet Needs Your Donations!
Doing some spring cleaning? Please consider donating to the ‘Cats Closet!
’Cats Closet offers students (undergraduate and graduate) access to FREE gently used professional and business casual attire appropriate for career fairs, interviews, information sessions and the workplace. Their mission is to eliminate barriers that prevent students from looking and feeling their best as they navigate their internship and job search and enter the professional world.
All items should be current styles, washed and in good condition, without rips, tears or stains. Items should be business professional – we are specifically seeking blazers, dress shirts & blouses, matching suits, and shoes. Smaller sizes are most needed! Donations may be dropped off at 620 Lincoln St. on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Paws and Claws Evanston
Paws and Claws Cat Rescue, an Evanston animal shelter, is celebrating their 5th anniversary! This year marks half a decade of dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating cats in need.
To commemorate this special occasion, they are hosting their first-ever gala: The Catalyst Ball. This inaugural, lifesaving occasion will be the organization’s most critical fundraising event to date. This night is dedicated to celebrating their journey, honoring their supporters, and sharing their vision for the future. Join Paws and Claws as they continue to expand their efforts, save more lives, and make a lasting difference in the lives of cats and the people who love them.
If you are unable to attend the event, we encourage you to engage with Paws and Claws and help support their work in any way you are able. Together we will be a catalyst for saving lives and building community.
Exciting Summer Learning Opportunities for PreK–12 Students!
Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University is accepting applications for academic day and residential camps on our Evanston campus, Chicago-area sites, and online.
Designed for curious, high-achieving students, our programs go beyond the classroom with hands-on, immersive learning in science, engineering, writing, psychology, and more. Whether your child is exploring new interests, accelerating in a favorite subject, or preparing for the next academic challenge, CTD offers the perfect summer experience to inspire, challenge, and connect with like-minded peers.
Explore programs that fit your child’s learning style and schedule!
Past Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Week
The University proudly continued a 45-year-old Northwestern tradition initiated by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Mu chapter at Northwestern University with this year’s MLK Dream Week events.
This year’s events honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the annual Alpha Phi Alpha Candlelight Vigil with Medill School of Journalism alumnus Michael Blake (BJ ’04). A special screening of Punch 9 for Harold Washington celebrated the life and work of Northwestern alum and Chicago’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington. A discussion, “A Conversation on Redlining, Segregation, and Urban Renewal in Chicago” was held on the Chicago campus with distinguished faculty from the Feinberg School of Medicine, Pritzker School of Law and University of Chicago School of Medicine. The week’s events ended with an oratorical contest for which contestants were asked to reflect on whether the City of Chicago has either achieved or fallen short of the Chicago Freedom Movement’s campaign to end unfair housing practices.