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For the eighth year in a row, �����о��� topped U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges” publication for graduating students with the least amount of student debt among Midwest regional universities! Read more about the rankings, Latinx/o/a Heritage Month events, the latest Vaccine Incentive Program and COVID-19 updates and more in this week’s Noteworthy at �����о���n.

Around the Commons

U.S. News and World Report

�����о��� graduates its students with the least amount of student debt among Midwest regional universities, according to the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” publication. �����о���n also ranked in three other categories among Midwest regional universities: ethnic diversity, economic diversity and social mobility. “I am thrilled that �����о��� continues to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s rankings for low student debt, ethnic and economic diversity and social mobility,” President Gloria J. Gibson said. “These rankings are a direct reflection of NEIU’s commitment to our students—welcoming all, regardless of background and helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.” �����о���n also ranked 11th in the state (tie) for undergraduate computer science programs and 12th in the state (tie) for undergraduate business programs. 

SAFE ZONE TRAINING FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

The Angelina Pedroso Center invites NEIU faculty and staff to take part in the Fall 2021 Safe Zone training sessions. Safe Zone is designed to educate NEIU faculty and staff about sexual orientation and gender identity, create a visible network of allies to provide support to members of �����о���n’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) communities, and provide accurate information and resources about sexual orientation and gender identity issues. is open until Tuesday, Oct. 5. To be Safe Zone-certified, participants are required to attend all three training sessions within two academic years. You’re not required to attend the training in any particular order. For questions, contact Shireen Roshanravan, s-roshanravan@neiu.edu. 

And there’s more!

• Director of STEAM Pathways, TRIO UB, UBMS and CCLC for the Center College Access and Success Aaron Cortes Minor has been selected to be part of the 2022 Emerging Leaders Class of 2022 for the . Cortes Minor was also recently a panelist for the , which was held virtually Sept. 20-24, and was a panelist for on Sept. 23. 

To do

Latinx/a/o Heritage Month

The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs is hosting a series of events to celebrate Latinx/a/o Heritage Month. Upcoming events include: 

• , 3 p.m. Sept. 28
• The Realities of Latin America: Honduras, 3 p.m. Sept. 29

Also this week

• , 7 p.m. Sept. 27
• Katherine Petersen, soprano: Condemned Cosmopolitanism in Russian Art Song, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27
• Fireside Chat with President Gloria J. Gibson, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28
• Future Health Professionals Information Session: Rush University College of Health Sciences, 3 p.m. Sept. 30
• , 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 
• 13th Annual SCSE Student Research Symposium, 8:30 a.m. Oct. 1
• , 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1
• , 1 p.m. Oct. 2

View the NEIU events calendar to get additional information on all upcoming events. 

In the media

• Professor of Urban Community Studies Lance Williams was interviewed by regarding Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed Victims Justice Ordinance. 

COVID-19 update

During the week of Sept. 15, 2021, five students and one employee reported a positive COVID-19 test. Two students and the employee were on campus. Since March 2020, a total of 63 employees and 298 students have self-reported to the University that they tested positive for COVID-19. Employees and students who feel sick should stay home. If you test positive for COVID-19, students should immediately notify Student Health Services, and employees should notify their supervisors and the Office of Human Resources. Additionally, faculty and staff are required to report positive and presumptive student COVID-19 cases and exposures to Student Health Services. When someone who has been on campus tests positive, �����о���n works with the Chicago Department of Public Health to determine the appropriate response, which differs greatly depending on the situation. We continue to follow Chicago Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines as we ensure proper protocols and preventative measures are in place for the health and safety of our students and employees. 

As part of �����о���n’s Vaccine Incentive Program (VIP), all students and employees who have completed and submitted their COVID-19 attestation or exemption forms can stop by Village Square to pick up a free NEIU keychain and a $5 gift certificate to Fooda or Café Descartes Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-noon, Wednesdays from noon-1 p.m. and Thursdays from 3-4 p.m. through October. Winners of $500 tuition scholarships and gift cards are chosen weekly through a random drawing and are being contacted via Nmail. COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Students and COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Employees can be found on the University website. Questions regarding the VIP can be directed to vip@neiu.edu. SHIELD �����о���s COVID-19 testing is now available at the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies in addition to Main Campus. 

Stay up-to-date on everything regarding COVID-19 updates by visiting the Return to Campus website. 

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