Greetings from the staff members in the Office of the Ombudsman!

We hope that you find the campus to be a welcoming place. The following tips may help you avoid certain kinds of university-related problems:

• Read and understand your course syllabus for every class. Make note of any changes announced during class, including the date of the change. Whenever questions arise, consult your instructor for clarification and assistance immediately so that you know what is expected.

• Save a copy of your course work or papers and retain all graded materials returned to you until you have received your final grade. It is also advisable to obtain and save receipts for purchases and other things like books returned to the library.

• Academic misconduct can result in severe sanctions including a failing grade and potential expulsion from the university. Some instructors accept student group work on assignments, but others do not. Obtain or verify the approval of your instructor prior to collaborating with a classmate on any assignment. Also know the specific expectations of your instructor regarding the citation of references in papers and class presentations.

• Tutoring can be very helpful, especially if you seek help early in the semester. Free tutoring is available on campus and the ACCESS program provides walk-in tutoring services, one-on-one tutoring services and study groups for specific courses. Your academic success will also be enhanced by utilizing good study skills. Consult with the Counseling and Student Development Center in the Campus Life Building for new and interesting tips that may improve your learning skills.

• Pay all university bills and fines in a timely manner; failure to do so can result in an encumbrance (hold) on your records that can prevent you from registering for classes, receiving your grades and/or obtaining a copy of your transcript.

• Read the Northern Star daily newspaper for information regarding upcoming campus activities and for important announcements regarding changes in university policies and regulations that might affect you.

• Become involved in a campus student group whose activities are of interest to you. Research studies indicate that students who actively participate in at least one student organization have significantly higher graduation rates.

• Be aware of possible legal consequences when signing documents. Students’ Legal Assistance, located in the Campus Life Building, can provide you with legal advice about signing documents such as housing contracts, rental agreements, trip reservations, credit card applications, etc.

• See your academic advisor at least once a year to monitor your academic progress and degree requirements. Many students who fail to do so find themselves unable to graduate when expected due to unknown requirements.

• Fully and accurately complete university forms and submit them before any deadline to avoid delays in processing. Pay close attention to university deadlines printed in the “Schedule of Classes” booklet and in the undergraduate/graduate catalogs. These deadlines are strictly enforced.

• Familiarize yourself with university policies, procedures and calendar deadlines that are found in online publications (via the NIU home page), such as the NIU catalog, the Student Handbook, the Schedule of Classes, etc. Read and refer to them frequently. Policies and procedures change from time to time so do not rely on word-of-mouth advice from other students.

• And last, but certainly not least, we encourage all members in our community to treat those around you with the same respect and dignity that you would like to receive.

The Ombudsman serves as a neutral party to provide confidential and informal assistance to any member of the university community who is trying to resolve a university-related concern. The Ombudsman is independent of the university’s formal administrative structure and will consider your concerns in an impartial and objective manner. We cannot impose solutions or settle the issue for you, but we will identify options and strategies available that can help you understand how to address the situation.

If the Office of the Ombudsman can assist in making your university experience at NIU more enjoyable, please contact us at 815-753-1414 or visit our Web site (www.niu.edu/ombud) for more information. Our office is located on the sixth floor of the Holmes Student Center.

Once again, welcome to NIU and we hope you have a great year!