NIU fraternities, sororities and other organizations that have volunteered their time toward promoting relations between NIU and the City of DeKalb now are eligible for Community-University awards.

The new awards, which have been established to commend organizations, will be presented annually to promote positive community-university cooperation, according to DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow and NIU President John LaTourette.

Jon Dalton, vice president for Student Affairs, said two awards will be presented later in the spring. One will go to a community group and the other to a campus organization, he said.

Dalton said the Community-University Awards Committee is requesting applications from organizations that have conducted activities to increase cooperation and understanding. He said, “The committee will receive the nominations and publicize the awards.”

“It is an effort on part of the president and mayor to receive and recognize contributions from organizations,” he said.

First Ward Alderman Ron Matekaitis said he presented the concept for this award, and the actual program was designed in cooperation with Kenneth Beasley, assistant to the president, and other officials.

Matekaitis said he thought city-university relations was one area that needed to be improved. “The award will help publicize and recognize the services of organizations and help encourage better positive relations with the community and university,” he said.

“An example,” Matekaitis said, “is the great many fraternities and sororities who do philanthropic activities and provide a great amount of money. They not only have raised and invested money, but have volunteered a lot of time.”

The award program will encourage organizations to continue providing services and will provide an incentive for others, Matekaitis said.

Criteria for the award include the organization’s activities, either a single program or a series, that have contributed to greater DeKalb-university relationships, understanding and assistance.

All types of activities will be considered, including volunteer services, education programs, fund-raising assistance and innovative services in community or university assistance.

The contributions should have occurred during the period of June 1, 1986 to April 1, 1987. Nominations or applications should be submitted by April 16 to Beasley, Office of the President. Application forms are available from this office.