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
- Current Self-Reported Case Count: Total active cases: 5 (5 students; 0 faculty/staff). Total students quarantined or isolated: 16 (5 on campus; 11 off campus). (Numbers as of April 30, 2021; please note: those in quarantine/isolation aren’t necessarily confirmed or symptomatic cases)
- Mask Level: NSU is at Level 3, which requires face coverings in all public indoor spaces on campus. Learn more about the SDBOR Face Covering Protocol here.
- Webpage Updates: Northern has updated its COVID-19 Webpage, now including various FAQs for students, faculty and staff.
- Requesting Supplies: To request COVID-19 supplies from NSU Facilities, please work with your supervisor to determine the proposed needs for your entire department and submit an order using this online form.
Spring Blowout Sale at the NSU Wolf Shoppe
The NSU Wolf Shoppe will have a Spring Blowout Sale May 3-7. Get 25 percent off clothing and giftware!
NSU Mobile App
Be sure to download the just-released latest version of Northern's mobile app, featuring bug fixes, compatibility updates and NSU's new branding. There are three ways to update NSU mobile:
- Your update may take place automatically. Check settings to ensure you have version 5.5.0.
- You may receive a notification - simply respond to update the app.
- Or, download the new app version from:
For assistance, contact the Support Desk at 2283 or help@northern.edu.
Free Intramurals Event
NSU Intramurals is hosting a FREE event to all current NSU students at Allevity Entertainment on Monday, May 3, 5-9 p.m. Students who bring their current student IDs will get free access to:
- Laser tag
- Arcade games
- Axe throwing
- Bumper cars
- Climbing wall
- Mini bowling
- And more!
Allevity Entertainment is located at 130 Centennial St. S. right here in Aberdeen, so don't miss the fun! Let's mask up and be safe!
Annual Enrollment Now Open
Benefits eligible staff: Annual enrollment for your insurance is now open, May 3-17. You should have been receiving regular emails and mailings at home from the South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources regarding the changes to the plans this year. All staff are required to log into the annual enrollment site to enroll in your benefits as your current elections will not roll over due to the significant changes to the plans. Please log into the benefits website here for further information.
Employee Appreciation and Service Recognition Picnic
As a way to celebrate the semester and NSU employees, all faculty and staff are invited to the annual Employee Appreciation and Service Recognition Picnic on Wednesday, May 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the campus green (service award recognition starting at noon). Join us for lunch and to celebrate the year, recognize staff and turn the page toward a normal fall semester!
Distinguished Alumni Luncheon
Northern State University’s Distinguished Alumni will be honored at a luncheon at noon Friday, May 7, at the Dakota Event Center. This event is rescheduled from last spring and will honor the 2020 NSU Distinguished Alumni: William Deng, James Hess, James Klein, John Lopez and Joe Senger. To purchase tickets and RSVP for the luncheon, please call the NSU Foundation at 605-626-2550.
Spring Commencement
NSU will hold an in-person spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8, in the Barnett Center. Guests will be welcome, with each participating graduate receiving four tickets to use for family and friends. Masks will be required per S.D. Board of Regents policy, and attendees will be appropriately spaced throughout the Barnett Center. To accommodate graduates with more than four guests, alternate viewing sites will be made available on campus in the Johnson Fine Arts Center, and commencement will be live-streamed. For loved ones unable to attend, the ceremony will be live streamed through the Northern State University Facebook page, the NSU Graduation and Commencement page, and locally through cable channel 12.
International Student Gala
On Wednesday, April 28, the Office of International Programs hosted the International Student Gala. The event was a great success and a special opportunity to recognize and celebrate our international students. International sashes were presented to our graduating seniors, and our talented music majors performed some great hits for entertainment.
Distinctive Dialogues Event
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Centennial Rooms 262, as CETL gears up to host a Distinctive Dialogues event (see agenda). This professional development workshop will include many keynote speakers including Liz Sills, Anna Schwan, Chelsee Shortt and Alison Fridley, who will present on topics ranging from hosting difficult conversations and technology in the classroom. This event will also offer six different roundtable discussions with hosts Megan Frewaldt, Chelsee Shortt and Alison Fridley, Erin Brownlee, and Cheryl Wold. CETL is still looking for two panelists to host a roundtable discussion; if you are interested, please contact CETL@northern.edu. A free assortment of food and beverages will be provided for those who attend. We hope to see you all here for this important event!
‘Native Soul Art’ Exhibit
Jerry Fogg’s “Native Soul Art: 11 Degrees of Tatanka” will be on display until May 14 in the JFAC Gallery. Jerry Fogg, an enrolled member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe (Ihanktowan Nakota Sioux Oyate), uses various materials to create unique works of art that tell a story. “Foggma” is the name Fogg has given his distinct mixed media style and approach. Every piece is one-of-a-kind, and never reproduced.
Online Tutoring Sessions
The NSU Tutoring Center offers free online sessions to any Northern student for all general education courses and most upper-level courses. The sessions are conducted via Zoom, which allows real-time interaction between students and tutors. For more information or to set up an online tutoring session, students can email nsututoringcenter@northern.edu
Salvation Army College Day
College Day is every Wednesday afternoon at the Salvation Army Community Corps Center (not the Thrift Store), 1003 Sixth Ave S.W. Free food is available from 1 to 5 p.m. Students can bring their own bags, or grocery sacks are available on the donation table. Enter the east side of the building and the receptionist will direct students to the donation table
Women’s Choir
Northern students and the greater Aberdeen community are invited to participate in the NSU/Aberdeen Women's Choir, which will be directed by Dr. Wendy van Gent. This fall, the NSU/Aberdeen Women's Choir will meet on Tuesdays from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Choir Room. This ensemble will feature multiple genres with choral literature about and by women. All treble voices are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. van Gent at wendy.vangent@northern.edu.
Employee Assistance Plan
Benefits eligible staff: Please keep in mind that your benefits plans include free use of our Employee Assistance Plan. Every eligible staff member has five free visits available with a counselor. If you need assistance, please utilize this wonderful benefit, found at this link; the password is southdakota.
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.