DeKALB – The NIU Board Of Trustees acknowledged and gave praise to the NIU football team for their recent win over the University of Notre Dame. The Board of Trustees also discussed the importance of voting, and encouraged students and others to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

The Board of Trustees had their first regular meeting of the 2024-2025 academic year at 9 a.m. Thursday in Altgeld Hall, Room 315.

Center for Greek Life Project 

NIU’s Board of Trustees discussed the progress and fundraising efforts of the Center for Greek Life Project. The Center for Greek Life is a center with a focus on serving as a place of student life while also providing a meeting space for students who are part of Greek life.

Catherine Squires, CEO and president of the NIU Foundation, discussed the NIU Foundation’s fundraising goals and what they plan to do with the money for the Center for Greek Life. 

“We’ve set a goal for ourselves of $18 million for the project overall, of which $15 million will be the capital to build the building itself, led by our friend Jeff Liesendahl from the Foundation Board. We’re working now on a number of strategies to help prepare the way for our fundraising efforts,” Squires said.

NIU Philanthropic Achievement

For the first time in NIU’s history, NIU philanthropic achievements surpassed the $30 million mark. The previous record, which was set in 2016, was $28 million. Meta has also funded NIU’s proposal at the $290,000 level and also gave an additional $25,000 gift for the sponsorship of STEM.

Squires also took time to acknowledge and praise those whose efforts helped further NIU’s philanthropic efforts.

“I’m immensely proud of the work of the team and the focus that they applied throughout the entire year. And of course, results like these are not ours alone. Much of our work is accomplished through partnerships and collaboration with our great deans, members of the university leadership, the board and faculty members, university president — who is our Chief Development Officer,” Squires said. “It takes great team to ensure continued philanthropic success, and I want to acknowledge the results of this important collaboration in the context of what is a tremendous result from you.”

Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements

The Board of Trustees has approved the collective bargaining agreements for the local Teamsters union and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399 according to the Board of Trustees meeting report.

“It is the intent and purpose of this Agreement to promote a sound and mutually beneficial relationship between the Employer and the Union. The Employer and the Union are committed to the uninterrupted effective performance of the teaching, research, and public service functions of the Employer, subject to any changes in State or other laws or policies applicable to the Employer. The Union will strive to maintain these functions through the performance of the regularly assigned and related duties of the classifications covered by this Agreement.”According to the Board of Trustees meeting report.

The next regular Board of Trustees meeting is at 9 a.m. Dec. 12 in Altgeld Hall, Room 315. Agendas are listed on the NIU Board of Trustees website.