Affirmative action might not be what people think.

The NIU Affirmative Action will hold an open forum from noon to 1 p.m. today for anyone interested in learning more about the organization, said AA Assistant Director Rick Dearborn.

“It will be an open discussion session where anyone can ask us anything about what they’d like to know about Affirmative Action,” Dearborn said.

He said the forum will be “free flowing” in nature and students and faculty are both highly encouraged to attend.

NIU Ombudsman Bertrand Simpson said the forum was not set up because there is a lack of knowledge among NIU students. “We’re there to provide information and answer any questions people might have,” he said.

Simpson said most people probably have misconceptions about what affirmative action is about.

The fewer misconceptions students and faculty members have about the organization, the better everyone is going to feel in the long run, he said.

“The more we know about it, the better it is for everyone,” he said.

The forum will be held in the Blackhawk cafeteria in the Holmes Student Center.