DeKALB | Accountability and engagement were the themes of President John Peters’ State of the University address Thursday afternoon, given to an assorted crowd of students, politicians and school faculty.

Before President Peters took the stage, a video presentation was played for the audience. Students spoke about their reasons for choosing NIU, their favorite professors and what the term “academic excellence” means to them.

“Academic excellence is what brought these students to NIU,” said President Peters as he segued into his speech. Speaking on the goals of the university, Peters said NIU needs to be an accountable, sustainable, global, engaged and responsive school.

On the topics of being accountable and sustainable, Peters showcased the new Northern View Community residential facility. The new facility is designed for graduate students and students with dependents. Ground-breaking for the facility will be next week on the far west end of campus.

Also mentioned was a 10-year renovation program to bring all residence halls to the standards set by Stevenson Hall. The plan is currently in its final stages of development.

“This will be a major step forward for residential life and residential-based learning programs that support academic excellence at NIU,” Peters said. “You have to have modern facilities.”

The Rapid Optimization of Commercial Knowledge program headed the subject matters of an engaged university. Faculty and students have been working in the Rockford community. R.O.C.K., is concerned with retaining medium-sized manufacturers for the new century. This year, $3 million dollars was received that will go toward the R.O.C.K. program to continue its work in the Rockford community.

The subjects of money and the loss of faculty were important as well.

Speaking again about money, Peters said NIU raised more private money in the past six years than in its 107-year history.

Peters then mentioned the retirement of the Vermeer Quartet, saying it is one of the “treasures” of NIU. The news of the group’s retirement was followed by an announcement that a $1 million anonymous gift had been given to “preserve the Vermeer tradition.”

“It is tremendously encouraging to realize that our performing arts programs mean as much to our alumni and friends as they do to our campus community,” Peters said.

As a global university, Peters said he hopes the amount of students studying abroad will quadruple by the end of the decade. Currently about 250 NIU students study abroad.

“There is no reason why at least 1,000 of our students can’t be having educational experiences in other countries,” Peters said.

Peters wrapped up his speech by talking about connections around the university.

“In every corner of our campus, we are experiencing greater emphasis on connecting what we teach, learn and study to the world in which our students must work and live.”

Keith Cameron is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.