Welcome to the NSU News Update - providing information on events happening on campus or involving NSU students, staff and faculty.
To submit a news item, send it via email to NSUNews@northern.edu by 5 p.m. Thursday of the week before the announcement should run.
COVID-19 News
Northern, in partnership with Avera Health, will sponsor an on-campus vaccination clinic:
- 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27
- Avera Student Center Centennial Rooms
- Both Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccinations will be available
- Friday, Sept. 17 is the follow-up clinic for Pfizer recipients
- Event is open to all NSU faculty, staff, students (along with members of the public who are S.D. residents)
- Each student who elects to get vaccinated will receive $25 in Thunderbucks.
You may also visit the S.D. Department of Health vaccine provider map to schedule a vaccine appointment at an off-campus location such as Avera or Sanford at a time that works for you.
COVID-19 resources can also be found at northern.edu/coronavirus, covid.sd.gov or cdc.gov.
Welcome Back Faculty and Staff Sale
The Welcome Back Faculty and Staff Sale at the NSU Wolf Shoppe will be Aug. 16 and 17, 2021. Get 20 off clothing and giftware! Come and check out all the new items. Faculty and Staff can register to win an NSU blanket or NSU travel tumbler!
Parking Permits Now Available
Parking permits for the fall and spring semesters are now available to purchase. Ticketing will begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 7.
A permit is required to park in any parking lot on campus. Permits will be valid as explained below, except as outlined in the game-day parking rules paragraph below.
Northern’s two types of parking permits are as follows:
Gray Permit: This permit costs $135 for the year and allows you to park in any lot except the visitor lot at the northwest corner of the Johnson Fine Arts Center and the visitor spots in the Washington Street lot. You can purchase this permit online here and pick it up at the Parking Office on the second floor of the Physical Plant the day after submitting your payment online.
Orange Permit: This permit costs $81 for the year and allows you to park in any parking lot except the Washington Street lots, Steele Hall/Great Plains West lot and the visitor lot by the Johnson Fine Arts Center. You can purchase this permit online here and pick it up at the Parking Office on the second floor of the Physical Plant the day after submitting your payment online.
You are encouraged to purchase your permit online. Permits may also be purchased in person at the Physical Plant, though cash or check is required. When purchasing your permit either online or in person, your license plate number is required.
Residents of Wolves Memorial Suites and Great Plains West who have reserved their permits through the Residence Life office need to go there to pick them up and pay for them.
Corrected Game-Day Parking Rules: Neither parking permit will be valid in campus parking lots around the stadium during home football games. Vehicles must be removed from these lots as follows:
- Herret Street parking lot: by noon the Friday before a Saturday game.
- Barnett Center, JFAC lots: by 5:15 p.m. the Friday before a Saturday game.
Violators will be towed at the owner’s expense. The football games are Sept. 11 and 25, Oct. 2 and 16, and Nov. 6.
Back-to-School Workshop
The 14th Annual Back-to-School Workshop will take place 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 17 at the NSU Johnson Fine Arts Center. The workshop will be led by Ms. Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa, who is known as "The Lab Coat Teacher" and, affectionately, “Miss Dorito” by her students from around the globe. A video greeting from Ms. Sackman-Ebuwa can be viewed here. The workshop will take place in person as well as on Zoom. The Zoom registration can be found here. Northern is also offering a companion course for educators and administrators, “Cultural Competency and Emotional Intelligence.” Register online here. To learn more about this event and other continuing education programs, visit NSU Online and Continuing Education or call 605-626-2568. Read more here.
Maroon Out is Aug. 20
On Friday, Aug. 20, wear your favorite NSU maroon apparel as part of a “Maroon Out.” This community-wide event – sponsored by the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, the NSU Foundation, and Alumni Association – will help welcome our new students and families to Northern and Aberdeen!
New Student Convocation
New Student Convocation is Friday, Aug. 20. Faculty and staff, please arrive by 3:40 p.m. and gather in the Red Room (117), Johnson Fine Arts Center. We hope this new tradition provides students a more formal and yet exciting welcome to their undergraduate experience. New Student Convocation is the bookend to graduation – the start of their student journey and the first formal gathering of our new class of students. This event is an important part of a student’s transition from high school students or transfer students to Northern State University Wolves! Please RSVP to Jerilyn Mielke. The Stage Party will lead faculty and staff into Jewett Theater and help to form a receiving line as students are led by President Schnoor and SGA Vice President Laine Converse to the Wolf Pack Picnic at 5 p.m. on the Campus Green. We are asking faculty and staff to wear maroon this day as part of our “Maroon Out” sponsored by the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce and NSU Foundation. Faculty and staff are welcome to enjoy the Wolf Pack Picnic with our new students and their families. New Student Convocation is Key Result 51 of the Student Affairs Strategic Action Plan (2021-2025).
HCC Student Orientation
Huron Community Campus will hold student orientation on Monday, Aug. 23, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. New and returning students will be able to visit with NSU Admissions, Academic Advising, Disability Services and Tech Services. All HCC students are strongly recommended to attend this event at the Huron campus, located at 939 Ohio Ave. S.W. New students are encouraged to apply before Aug. 23, and can complete their applications at northern.edu/apply. To learn more, visit Huron Community Campus or contact NSU advisor Madia Droppers.
NSU Women’s Choir
Rehearsals for the NSU/Aberdeen’s Women's Choir will take place Tuesdays from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. starting Aug. 24. The choir, directed by Dr. Wendy van Gent, will rehearse in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Choir Room. For more information, email wendy.vangent@northern.edu.
Fall 2021 Auditions
- Wind Ensemble, AUCS Winds/Percussion: Auditions for the NSU Wind Ensemble and AUCS Winds/Percussion will be held on stage in the Jewett Theater:
- Wednesday, Aug. 25: Noon-3 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 26: Noon-3 p.m.
- The audition will consist of:
- Chromatic scale – full range of your instrument to the extent you are able
- One of the following Major scales in your key of: A, D, Ab, Eb
- Prepared piece/solo or etude of your choosing (maximum of 3 minutes in length).
- Brief sight reading
- Sign up for a 5-minute audition time here.
- String auditions for the AUCS: AUCS string auditions will be held on stage in JFAC 120 (Dr. Stanichar’s office) for ALL current NSU students who wish to play strings in the AUCS:
- Monday, Aug. 23: Noon-3 p.m.
- OR by appointment with Dr. Stanichar.
- The audition will consist of:
- You will be asked to play TWO of the following scales (2-3 octaves): G major, Bb major, C melodic minor or A major.
- Prepared piece/solo or etude of your choosing (maximum of 2 minutes in length).
- Brief sight reading.
- Sign up for a 5-minute audition time on Dr. Stanichar’s (JFAC 120) office or email your preferred time to c.stanichar@northern.edu.
- Wind Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 3-4 p.m., starting Oct. 4; (Monday-only rehearsals Aug.30-Sept. 27). Wind Ensemble first rehearsal is Monday, Aug. 30, at 3 p.m. in Jewett Theater. Questions? Contact Rolf.Olson@northern.edu.
- AUCS Rehearsal Schedule: Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 in Jewett Theater. AUCS first rehearsal is Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. in Jewett Theater. Questions? Contact C.Stanichar@northern.edu.
- NSU Concert Band: If you would like to play in the non-auditioned NSU Concert Band, please contact Audrey.miller@northern.edu. Concert band rehearsal schedule: Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jewett Theater. First Concert Band rehearsal is Monday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. in Jewett Theater.
Cheer Team Open Practice
In lieu of a tryout, the NSU Cheer Team will hold an open practice for anyone interested in joining the team. The open practice will take place in the Barnett Center 5-7 p.m. Aug. 26. Wear practice attire, and be ready to work!
NSU Involvement Fair
The NSU Involvement Fair will take place 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, on the Campus Green. The event, open to the campus community, invites all NSU recognized student organizations, Aberdeen area employers, organizations and nonprofits to join to promote their services and opportunities to NSU students. Students can learn more about which organizations will be at the Involvement Fair on Wolf Work. Organizations may register online at this link. To learn more, contact NSU Career Services or Student Involvement and Leadership.
Theatre Interest Meeting
Do you have an interested in doing theatre? The Northern Theatre Program is hosting a Theatre Interest Meeting in the JFAC Black Box Theater on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. This meeting will feature information about our season, introductions for new and returning Theatre students, and discussion about the opportunities available to throughout the school year. Email kane.anderson@northern.edu with questions.
Regional Sports Complex Ribbon Cutting
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held for the NSU Regional Sports Complex, which includes Dacotah Bank Stadium and Koehler Hall of Fame Softball Field. The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10. Attendees should use the northwest entrance of Dacotah Bank Stadium.
Registrar/Financial Aid Move
The NSU Financial Aid and Registrar’s offices have moved from Dacotah Hall 103 to the Jewett Science Center 209A through the end of September. Financial Aid can be reached at 605-626-2640 or finaid@northern.edu, and the Registrar’s Office can be reached at 605-626-2012 or records@northern.edu.
Parade registration now open
Gypsy Day 2021 is Saturday, Oct. 2, with the 105th annual parade that morning in downtown Aberdeen. Parade registration is now open, as of 8 a.m. June 1, at this link. Entrants will decorate their float based on the theme, and a panel of judges comprised of Northern and community leaders will present awards in various categories. Homecoming week takes place Sept. 27-Oct. 2, with the theme of “Wolves of the Galaxy.” The week’s festivities will also include coronation of a queen and marshal. This year, the annual Gypsy Day football game will be played in the brand new Dacotah Bank Stadium, part of the Regional Sports Complex opening this fall on the NSU campus. For ticket information, visit nsuwolves.com. For more information, visit the NSU homecoming webpage or contact the NSU Student Affairs office at 605-626-3007.
2021 Common Read
Northern’s fall 2021 Common Read book will be “Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century,” by Alice Wong. Wong will deliver the 2021 NSU Larry and Julie Poeppel Family Common Read Lecture at 7 p.m. Oct. 13. Attendees are invited to gather in the Johnson Fine Arts Center’s Jewett Theater to listen to Wong, who will present live via Zoom. The event is free and open to the public. Students may order copies of the book through Akademos when they order their fall textbooks. The book is also available for purchase at the NSU Wolf Shoppe for $12.95 (plus tax). Read more here!
Name Tag Orders
NSU Communications and Marketing orders name tags for employees once a month. To request a name tag for the next campus-wide order, fill out this online form.
Wolves Athletics
Stay up to date with NSU Wolves news on the athletics webpage.