DeKALB– Members of the clerical and administrative professionals union expressed their disappointment in employee wages at Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting as the union’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, setting the stage for negotiations.
The meeting began at approximately 9 a.m. in Altgeld 315.
Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1890 Union were present and gave comments regarding salary concerns.
Senior Library Specialist Martha Villagomez opened these remarks recounting her experience as a first generation student who is also employed by Northern Illinois University.
“I’m making less now than I did as a Barnes and Noble employee,” Villagomez said.
Villagomez said many employees have resorted to using resources like food pantries due to their low pay rates.
“It’s embarrassing. It’s sad,” Villagomez said.“We want to be proud of where we work, not just the work that we do.”
Two members contributed with additional remarks regarding their frustration at current employee wages.
After their comments, members of the AFSCME Union handed each board member a paper copy of the Northern Star Spring 2025 Salary Issue before exiting the meeting room.
The meeting proceeded with an update to the “FORWARD” campaign which is set to formally launch June 14 and aims to create a stronger network between donors and the NIU community. This update noted an increase in donations of up to 114% of total gifts.
In response to uncertainty and change at the federal funding level, Huskie Trek Talks was also highlighted during the meeting as a new source of “institutional synergy.” At this event, NIU students and faculty showcased NIU’s innovation and received a total of $65,000 in grants along with one graduate assistantship.
The meeting concluded with comment from the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Vicky Gerentes sharing updates regarding the “revitalization of greek life” at NIU.
In these remarks, Gerentes highlighted an increase in average chapter GPAs along with the return of the Order of Omega Greek Honors society.
Agenda items that did not yield discussion at the Board of Trustees meeting included the approval of requests for deletion of the master of science in early childhood education offered by the Department of Special and Early Education in the College of Education and of the Master in Science in Teaching offered by the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology along with a request for a new minor in accountancy.
The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for June 12 at 9 a.m. in Altgeld 315.
