My NIU is a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that integrates all of the “business” processes and functions that NIU requires of students.  Sound confusing?  Well, all you really need to know is that you can do the following things through My NIU:

• Apply for Admissions
• View Application Status
• Review Financial Aid status
• Accept/Decline Financial Aid
• Register for classes (Add, Drop, Swap)
• View account summary
• Monitor degree progress
• View grades

My NIU is a handy system that you should get to know once you decide to apply.  For more information, visit the help page at http://www.niu.edu/myniutraining/training/student_training.shtml.
Amanda

In an effort to be organized and plan ahead, we’ve already set up our fall open houses.  Prospective students will have the opportunity to visit our off-campus locations (the same buildings where  classes are taught) and meet with program advisors about the degrees and certificates we offer in each location.

• NIU Naperville:  October 14, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• NIU Hoffman Estates:  October 16, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• NIU Rockford:  October 21, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

If you’re interested in discovering what degrees we offer and where, visit our locations and degrees pages:

Undergraduates:  http://www.niu.edu/offcampusacademics/undergrad.shtml
Graduates:  http://www.niu.edu/offcampusacademics/graduate.shtml

Amanda

The Department of Nursing just announced new cohorts popping up in locations near you.  In a cohort, you’ll attend class with the same people throughout all the courses, and you will know your entire schedule from the beginning.  The nice part about this is that you’ll get to know your classmates and come to rely on them in many ways.  Another benefit – we have found that students in cohorts are more likely to complete their degrees.

New Cohorts:

• Elgin Community College: Spring 2010 and Spring 2012
• Harper College:  Fall 2008 and Fall 2010
• Waubonsee Community College: Fall 2009 and Fall 2011

Visit www.niu.edu/offcampusacademics/nursing/ to see program requirements and discover how much a bachelor’s degree in nursing can advance your career as an RN.

In the past, many of our nursing cohorts were located in hospitals.  Moving forward, you’ll notice that most cohorts will reside inside community colleges all across Northern Illinois.  NIU believes that learning is best conducted in educational environments—and lucky for you—NIU doesn’t make you come to DeKalb.

Check back often to see if new cohorts are available in your area!

Amanda

If you haven’t already noticed, you’ll soon catch on to another change here at the NIU View.  My partner in crime, Elena, has moved on to a new position in New York City.  Elena is now working for Games for Change.  G4C offers support to organizations interested in using games to evoke social change.  I bet Elena already gained a new perspective into the world of education and digital gaming—especially how the two complement each other.  I am working on getting her to check in with us every now and then—just to keep us posted on what is happening in her world.
You’ll notice she picked up where she left off on the blogging front—you can check her new blog out at http://www.gamesforchange.org/g4cblog. 

We wish her the best!!

Amanda

You may have noticed a VERY long absence here at NIU View.  I am happy to announce the good news—WE’RE BACK!!  I am thrilled to be blogging, posting, and podcasting—focusing my attention on the information relevant to NIU’s off-campus and online students.  During the upcoming months, we’ll spend our time adding new content, changing our landing page slightly, adding an html site to the View, and driving traffic to this fabulous site so that we may start some great conversations regarding NIU and adult and online students.

Welcome back!! Amanda