The importance of journalism to the NIU community will be the focus of a series of events scheduled this week by the journalism department.

A reception for current and prospective journalism students will be held tonight at 8:30 in the Holmes Student Center, Room 506. Department Chairman Donald Brod said this reception is “aimed at any students who have even a vague idea of taking journalism classes or a major in journalism.”

Brod said representatives of various journalism student organizations will be on hand to discuss courses and extracurricular opportunities. Included will be students from broadcast journalism, the Public Relations Student Society of America, the Society of Professional Journalists and The Northern Star.

Some faculty members also should be present for discussion, Brod said, and refreshments will be served.

An informational seminar about the Journalism Qualifying Exam will take place Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in Reavis Hall, Room 210.

Brod said, “This seminar will be conducted mainly by Dr. (Abraham) Bass and will present some specific information about how to prepare for and pass the JQE.”

The JQE is a “general English test, consisting of grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage” which prospective journalism students must pass to enter the department, Brod said.

On Friday, the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association will hold its annual fall meeting in a series of programs to be presented throughout the day in the student center.

Included will be programs on publishers’ concerns, police and the press and advertising in retrospect.

Another featured presentation will be given by Illinois Judge Anthony Scariano, “who was instrumental in passing part of the current open meetings law,” Brod said.

NINA is an organization of newspapers in the northern half of the state, other than those in the Chicago Metropolitan area. It was founded by NIU’s journalism department with the purpose of “improving the performance of member papers,” Brod said. Professor Donald Peterson serves as executive secretary of the organization. This year’s meeting is its 25th anniversary conference.

Brod said, “The NINA meeting, which wraps up the week’s activities, will be a good opportunity for students to meet the working press and hear some of the important issues in the world of journalism right now.”

The program sessions are free, he said. A complete list of sessions and times is available in the journalism office, Reavis 107, or from Peterson’s office, Reavis 112.

Brod said, “This week’s events are designed to let students know the journalism department is a good school, looking for some good students.”