Writing Center to open location in library

NIU’s University Writing Center, in collaboration with Founders Memorial Library, will open a satellite site Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Founders 302. The site will be open from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Appointments will be walk-in-only on a first-come-first-serve basis. Headquartered on the lower level of Stevenson Towers South, the University Writing Center is a place for all writers at NIU – undergraduates, graduates, staff and even faculty – to talk one-on-one about their writing with trained consultants.

Winter Wonderland for new students

“Winter Wonderland,” scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, is a fair featuring booths from more than 55 student organizations and more than 30 campus offices. The Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom will become a carnival of sorts with a DJ, an inflatable bungee run, a caricaturist, a massage therapist, refreshments and more.

Grad school test prep

NIU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences External Programming will offer two review courses during the spring semester for those intending to take the GRE, GMAT and LSAT. Sessions begin in January and April and take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays in Swen Parson Hall. Sessions include a lunch break. Register online at www.niu.edu/clasep, by phone at 815-753-0277 or at the Monat Building, 148 N. Third St., Room 152.

Women’s awards nominations open

NIU’s Presidential Commission on the Status of Women is seeking nominations for three staff awards: the Wilma D. Stricklin Award for Enhancement of the Climate for Women on Campus, the Outstanding Mentor Award and the Women Who Make a Difference Award. Criteria and nomination information on these three awards are available online at http://www.niu.edu/PCSW/awards/ or by calling 815-753-0320. The nomination deadline is Monday, March 2.

Outstanding Women Student Awards nominations open

NIU’s Presidential Commission on the Status of Women is accepting nominations for the 2009 NIU Outstanding Women Student Awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Jan. 23. This recognition program was created in 1980 and is held annually to encourage the full participation of women students in all facets of the university experience and in their communities; to support their development of corresponding strengths, both cooperative and competitive; and to celebrate their achievements and contributions, including those not usually recognized by other award programs. Details about eligibility and nomination forms are available online at http://www.niu.edu/pcsw/awards/outstandingwomen.shtml and by calling 815-753-0320.

Prism book discussions

NIU Prism, the student-led LGBT and Ally social group, will begin an experimental book discussion group on the fourth Monday of each month in the LGBT Resource Center. The center is located on the seventh floor of the Holmes Student Center. The first meeting of the semester is from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26. Books selected are Lambda Award-winning works that address the issues of the LGBT community.