This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly as new information comes in. The last update was made at 12:59 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
DeKALB – An unknown number of NIU students enlisted in the Illinois National Guard have been called to serve under orders, according to an email distributed to NIU faculty by Executive Vice President and Provost Laurie Elish-Piper on Monday.
“As you may be aware, we are receiving notifications from NIU students enlisted in the Illinois National Guard, letting us know they have been called to serve with orders,” Elish-Piper said in the statement. “This is a challenging situation for these students, as they may have less than 24 hours to report for duty.”
The location, duration and specific assignment of students called to serve remains unknown. Those called to serve will also not know if they will have internet access during the process, according to the provost’s message.
Due to the uncertainty of the situation, the university urges professors to accommodate departing students accordingly.
“We ask that you do your best to work with each student individually, as appropriate accommodations may vary with each student, the course of study and the point in time at which the student receives their orders,” Elish-Piper said.
A leave of absence will be granted to those serving in the National Guard during this time, according to NIU’s attendance guidelines. Students needing to file a leave of absence should reach out to their college’s dean, or the Academic Advising Center for those without college affiliation.
The provost urges students to visit NIU’s Military and Veteran Services website as a resource for guidance throughout the process. Students can also contact Jorie O’Brien, the director of military, veteran and off-campus student services with further questions.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois State University students have reportedly also been activated. The scale and duration of these deployments is unknown.
The order follows a larger movement of National Guard activation across the U.S. to cities including Washington, D.C., Portland and Chicago. A judge blocked the deployment of national guard troops to Chicago for at least two weeks Oct. 9, ruling the Trump administration violated the 10th and 14th amendments.
On Friday, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to freeze the lower court order and allow the deployment of the National Guard to Illinois.
