DeKALB | Student Association Senators learned about Engage PLUS, which began this semester, during a meeting 5 p.m. Sunday in the Holmes Student Center, Sky Room.

NIU PLUS is a program intended to prepare students for life after NIU. Students are able to create a pathway by taking general education courses that are more suitable to their major.

Jazila Hussain, Office of Student Engagement representative, spoke to senators about what Engage PLUS is and why students should participate.

“If you are doing an experiential learning, this is a way for it to show up on your transcript,” Hussain said. “A lot of jobs and [graduate] schools were looking at transcripts and resumes and were like ‘hey, we don’t really know if what you’re saying you actually did [is accurate],’ so this is a concrete way to show you actually did what you did.”

In order to become involved with the program, a student must have 80 hours of experience, have a faculty mentor or direct supervisor and apply online.

“Through this program, students become prepared for life after graduation and leave NIU with more skill, a better story and more professional development,” said Provost Lisa Freeman during a Thursday interview.

Senator approval

Senior nursing major Luis Flores was appointed senator-at-large.

SA senators review activities, business, executive action that spends student fee money and policy affecting students, according to the SA Bylaws.

Flores hopes to focus on freshmen retention rate, social issues and budgeting issues as a senator.

“I believe I can be a part of a voice, which is Senate, and together we can be the voice of change,” Flores said. “My long term goal is I want to help undocumented students, because they have a harder time obtaining scholarships, [Monetary Award Program] grants and financial aid.”

One idea Flores has to help undocumented students is to have students each give $2 to fund a scholarship.

“If every student out of the 19,000 student population donated $2 that’s already about $38,000,” Flores said. “That is just one idea, and I’m only one person, but through Senate, that can help spark the discussion.”

Student Association Senate meetings are held 5 p.m. every Sunday in the Holmes Student Center, Sky Room.