A Monthly Newsletter Publication of NKU Student Affairs
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National Hispanic Heritage Month is a period to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate the group's heritage and culture. In its origins, the month started out as just a week, first proclaimed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. In 1988, it was then expanded by legislation sponsored by Representative Esteban E. Torres and implemented by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period. Sept.15 was chosen as the starting point for the month’s celebration due to the date’s correlation with the anniversary of independence in five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. All declared independence in 1821.
This year, the National Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-off Reception will be held on Wednesday, September 15, from 6:00-7:30 p.m., in the Student Union Ballroom. National Hispanic Heritage Month goes from September 15 until October 15 and a signature event to conclude the month is the Pre-Celebration of Dia de los Muertos on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 10:00am in the Otto Budig Theater and UC Ballroom. Please check the Latino Student Initiatives website regularly for more events.
Student Affairs, along with the whole NKU Community, would like to extend their deepest appreciation for the NKU Health Services staff. The hard-working staff members in Health Services have assisted the entire NKU community during the pandemic, providing COVID testing, treatment, vaccinations, and advice.
With the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, Health Services sprung into action, serving on university committees and helping to guide the community towards the healthiest and safest choices. From developing policy to working with students, faculty, and staff to determine appropriate steps in the event of illness, Health Services staff has worked non-stop the past 18-months, putting their lives and health at risk every day for students, faculty, and staff.
Over the course of the pandemic, Health Services has administered almost 700 COVID-19 vaccinations and have provided more than 2,700 rapid COVID tests.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the hard-working staff in Health Services, including:
Rose Tempel (Director)
Jeanine Horner
Michele Kay
Lisa Heck
Brooke Moore
Christy Blackburn
Give these NKU heroes a thank you and a much needed break: Please wear your mask, get your COVID-19 vaccine, and watch for more information about flu vaccines (available soon)!
The NKU Staff Cares Award is designed to recognize staff members at NKU who made extraordinary contributions to the university during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may include services and support to students, faculty, and other staff.
This year, Dr. Bob Alston was one of the recipients of this award for his work with the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund's donor relations, application evaluation, and payment process to students throughout the pandemic. Dr. Alston's work has ensured that many more than 1,000 students have received aid and bridge funding, helping them to weather the pandemic.
Dr. Alston works hard daily to serve students at NKU, leading the NKU Community Care Team, among many responsibilities. His leadership of this group, parlayed into advocacy through the NKU COVID Response Team, has kept NKU centered on diligently and effectively serving students and working in the best interest of student success. His voice has amplified the experience of many students in crisis and has helped NKU to adapt to ensure that no student is left behind. We offer our sincerest congratulations to Dr. Alston for this well-deserved award.
Each month the Office of Parents Attending College hosts a parent café event for student parents and their children. Due to children under 12 not being able to vaccinate, we have decided to cancel our September and October events to help keep our student parents and their families safe. In place of the events, Parents Attending College (PAC) and Adult Learner Programs and Services (ALPS) will be creating a NKU Onward Together Family Box. The box is a great way for student parents to learn more about what NKU can provide them and their families, while engaging in fun activities and swag! The box will include information on various programs and supports that help our student parents reach graduation, as well as some free NKU merch. The first 50 students to sign up will receive t-shirts for their family. Student parents will receive an email the first week of October to register for their Family Box, which will be delivered to their front door.
NKU R.O.C.K.S. (Responsibility, Opportunity, Community, Knowledge, and Success), is African American Student Initiatives' signature program, designed to ease the academic, personal and social transition from high school to college through the Summer Institute and year-long program.
We had 40 new scholars join us for the institute from a wide range of backgrounds, cities, and majors. They were able to connect with key stakeholders and supporters across campus and within the local community. The institute was a success, but we learned that the impact was even greater when we found out that more students were interested in joining R.O.C.K.S. 2.0. There have been about 70 more students sign up to join this program. This is a unique, well-rounded group of students ready to gain in all aspects of their collegiate experience and we are here to support them.
The program goals for NKU R.O.C.K.S. include familiarizing students with NKU and the resources available on campus, retaining R.O.C.K.S. students at a higher rate than the general African American student population, developing and growing strong academic, leadership, and professional skills, and creating networks for students amongst key constituents within the institution and assisting in developing resourceful relationships. Students participate in a year-long experience that pairs them with a peer mentor during the first year of enrollment at NKU. Students also have the opportunity to live in the NKU R.O.C.K.S. living learning community in University Housing.
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For students, it is again that time of year when you may be looking at requesting classroom accommodations. The process for students to register with the Office for Student Accessibility (OSA) begins online at https://osa.nku.edu/. Once an application is submitted, OSA staff will reach out to you to schedule an interactive intake meeting, where appropriate reasonable accommodations will be discussed and implemented at that time.
For faculty/staff, on September 30, 2021, from 12:15pm to 1:30pm, the Office for Student Accessibility and Legal Affairs will be holding a Student Accommodations Q&A through the Center for Teaching and Learning. Understanding accommodations and our role as educators in ensuring we provide accommodations equally is a key part of our job. It can feel like every semester there is something new and different with regard to needs from our students and we may not always have the answer. This is an opportunity to ask questions and ensure that the way we run our classrooms is both beneficial to our students and within the constraints of the law.
Creativity and Connection is a Free drop-in support group for students using Art Therapy techniques. Students will engage through in-person conversation and art activities to develop skills in managing emotions, stress reduction, and enhancing self-awareness, and connecting with others. This support group will focus on the process of expressing inner thoughts and feelings into visual form, not the art product. No prior artistic experience or skill necessary; only a willingness to experiment and try art making. All art supplies will be provided.
The Creativity and Connection Support group will meet on Wednesdays from 1:00p-2:30p from September 1, 2021 until November 17, 2021, in Student Union 302 (room number subject to change.) To join, just drop in to SU 302 on Wednesdays at 1:00pm.
For more information, please contact Health, Counseling, and Student Wellness (UC 440) at (859) 572-5650 or hcsw@nku.edu.
A Successful RecFEST
On Tuesday, August 24, Campus Recreation hosted RecFEST at the Campus Recreation Center. With nearly 1,000 students in attendance, the Campus Rec Center was full of engaging activities, including inflatables, a smoothie bar, a sport club fair, an eSports lounge, and a tie-dye station. The students had a blast and it was a great way to kick-off the school year! Check out our TikTok of the event!
Intramural Sports - Get in the Game
Check out upcoming sports! Sign up online at imleagues.com.
Upcoming Sports Deadlines
Billiards Tournament (Oct. 5)
League of Legends (Oct. 5)
Indoor Volleyball Preseason Tournament (Oct. 12)
Indoor Volleyball (Oct. 12)
New Game Room at the CRC
Air Hockey anyone? Need a place to relax and have fun? Check out our new air hockey and foosball table in the Game Room, off the main gym.
CRC Job Fair
Mark your calendars for the Campus Rec Job Fair on Wednesday, October 27, from 4:00p - 7:00p in the Campus Rec Center. We will have on-the-spot interviews!
Rose Tempel, Director of Health Services, was recently published in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. Her article, Expanding the Differential Diagnosis for Recurrent Otalgia: A Case Report, helps other health care professionals to review, diagnose, and treat an ear issue. Congratulations, Rose, on this exceptional accomplishment!
Tempel, R.A. (2021). Expanding The Differential Diagnosis for Recurrent Otalgia: A Case Report. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. Published. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2021.08.003
Welcome Colin!
Counseling Services is pleased to welcome Colin Mong, LPCA, to the Counseling Center. Colin will be serving as a staff clinician and is excited to meet students, faculty, and staff at NKU.
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Self Defense Class
University Police will be offering in-person, free self-defense classes this semester. The November class is already full! A second class has been added on the following dates (students must attend all three classes):
November 29, 2021 - 12:00p-1:30p
December 1, 2021 - 12:00p-1:30p
December 3, 2021 - 12:00p-1:30p
Please contact Office Autumn Ruehl at ruehla2@nku.edu to reserve your spot!
Student Emergency Fund (SEF)
In response to the ongoing public health concerns, and to help our students in need during this unprecedented time, NKU created the Student Emergency Fund (SEF), supported by donor generosity. Applicants should be enrolled at least 1/2 time during Fall 2021 (undergraduate, graduate), be in good academic standing, and be willing to share some information about the financial hardship related to the disruption of your NKU education.
To learn more about the students who have been awarded money from this fund, please visit the Student Emergency Fund success stories website. To apply, please visit the Community Care Student Emergency Fund website.
Interested in contributing to student success and persistence through the SEF? Learn more about your ability to impact students lives.
Big Pink Volleyball
It's time again for Big Pink Volleyball! Sign-ups are now open and we want you and your organization to get involved!
Big Pink Volleyball is an amazing way to have fun, get competitive, and raise money for St. Elizabeth Hospital's Breast Cancer Center. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and 100% of proceeds go to Fort Thomas St. Elizabeth Hospital's Breast Cancer Center.
The event is October 5, 2021, starting at 2:00pm. The entrance fee for teams (max of 6 per team) is $25. We are also offering t-shirts for $10 each. If you would like your organization's logo on the t-shirts, you can contribute an additional $50. This is a bracket-style tournament with the following divisions:
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Faculty/Staff
Housing (RAs/Halls)
Registered Student Organizations
Sign ups close on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, so be sure to sign up your team today! Please follow the registration link to secure your spot.
University Conduct Board
The Office of Student Conduct, Rights & Advocacy is interested in hearing from faculty, staff, and students interested in serving on the University Conduct Board. This group of NKU faculty, staff, and students is charged with evaluating situations involving possible violations of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. This work is considered university service and will count as service in staff performance evaluations, faculty annual activity reports/RPT dossiers, and will count for 2 credits for Leadership University for students. Trained UCB members will receive a letter of service for consideration in these, and other, processes. Our office moved this training fully online to meet the public health needs of the campus community. Please visit the interest form to register for UCB training and we will contact you with more information.
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Warrior Run: The Race for Life
1-in-5 people struggle with mental illness in the U.S. and suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students. The stigma of mental health still prohibits many people from seeking help and getting support. The Warrior Run strives to promote mental health, eliminate the stigma of suicide and increase programming in schools and universities.
NKU is proud to participate in the Warrior Run each year to raise awareness about mental health and provide counseling services and suicide prevention on campus. This year, more than ever, we see the need for support and understanding. With the pandemic still a major concern for many people and so many uncertainties facing our communities, we recognize how critical mental health services are at this time.
The race will be held in person and virtually this year on October 2, 2021, at 5:00pm in Mariemont, OH, so you can complete it in one day or over time. The cost is just $10 for students (15 - 22 years old), $30 for adults, and includes a race t-shirt. You can also make donations under the NKU team page and all of the money raised comes back to our campus to support mental health programming. Please encourage students and student groups to get involved.
Join team NKU NORSE at www.cincywarriorrun.org and be a part of our college challenge team as we compete against local universities to raise the most money, have the most students registered, and help our community find their path to wellness. Questions can be directed to Siobhan Ryan Perry at ryanperrys1@nku.edu.
NVP Engaging Men Subcommittee
Interested in helping to create a safer environment for students on our campus? Norse Violence Prevention is looking for masculine aligned faculty and staff to join the Engaging Men committee. This committee works to bring masculine-aligned students into the conversation around interpersonal violence and to establish lasting messages and programs around healthy masculinity. If you are interested in joining the committee or have questions, please email NVP's Project Coordinator, Sammi Murrell.
Faculty/Staff Bystander Intervention Workshops
Join the Norse Violence Prevention Center for an interactive workshop on bystander intervention. Learn strategies to prevent interpersonal violence, tips on how to best support students who have already been impacted, and resources available to students, faculty, and staff. Register online. Choose one of the following:
Session I: Monday, Sept. 20 // 10:00a-11:30a // SU 109
Session II: Tuesday, Oct., 26 // 10:00a-11:30a // Zoom
Session III: Monday, Nov. 15 // 10:00a-11:30a // SU 102
Mental Health Self-Care
October 7, 2021; 2:00p-3:30p; SU 302 (or via Zoom)
Join Norse Violence Prevention and the Office for Student Accessibility for Mental Health Self-Care: Grounding for Survivors, Allies, and Friends. Learn strategies using all your senses to stay focused on the here and now. This event is open to survivors and allies. Registration is required. If you are attending in person, please note that you will still need to register via Zoom.
NVP is excited to welcome four interns to our team this year:
Milena Steele joined the Norse Violence Prevention team in May and will graduate in December with her Bachelor of Social Work. She has been advocating for victim-survivors of power-based personal violence targeting underserved populations for the past 15 years.
Kaetlyn Dyer returned to the NVP office in August as a Master of Social Work intern after previously serving as NVP's Bachelor of Social Work intern. She currently works as a crisis intervention specialist for the Ion Center for Violence Prevention. She is excited to return to the office to advocate on behalf of students and work on creating a campus that is safe and accepting for survivors of interpersonal violence.
Miranda Miller is a senior at NKU studying social work. She transferred to NKU her junior year after earning an associate degree in social work from UC Clermont. Restorative justice is a huge passion for Miranda. She is very excited to work and learn with the Norse Violence Prevention team to help make NKU's campus a safe environment for all students.
Sarah Eifert is serving as Public Relations intern for the Norse Violence Prevention Center. She is a senior studying Public Relations. She is excited to connect students to opportunities and services that Norse Violence Prevention has to offer. She wants you to follow @nkunvpc on Instagram and Twitter and @NVPCenter on Facebook!
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Greek 411
Students interested in joining an NPHC fraternity or sorority are required to attend a session of Greek 411. Upcoming sessions include:
September 28, 2021
6:00p - 7:00p
Student Union 104
October 7, 2021
6:00p - 7:00p
Student Union 108
Back II Life, Back II Reality
The NPHC Stroll Off will occur on September 24, 2021, in the Student Union Ballroom, starting at 6:00p.
(Doors open at 5:30p.)
This year's event will be hosted by @BriTheBull.
Dish it Up
Join a weekly interactive discussion about current topics affecting students' lives, NKU, the United States, and globally. Dish it Up is a safe space for students, staff, and faculty to engage in civil discourse and learn from others. Dish it Up will occur every Tuesday from 12:15p - 1:15p in Student Union 324 from
September 7, 2021 until December 7, 2021.
Questions can be directed to DeVanee Lasley at lasleyd1@nku.edu.
Date the Rainbow
October 20, 2021; 3:00p-4:30p; SU 109 (or via Zoom)
There are multiple relationship dynamics that can be healthy and affirming. Regardless of relationship dynamic (monogamous, polyamorous, long-term, casual dating, asexual/aromantic squishes, platonic, etc.), all people deserve healthy and beneficial relationships. LGBTQ people are often left out of conversation of healthy relationships and sexual education so many folx don’t know or understand the warning signs. Intimate partner violence affects LGBTQIA+ relationships in many of the same ways as it affects heterosexual relationship with an added layer of homophobia, heterosexism and transphobia.
In this interactive and engaging program, participants will learn the aspects of a healthy and unhealthy relationships, the components of abuse and affirmative consent, statistics of sexual violence in the LGBTQIA+ community, relationship planning and the steps to being a supportive and empathetic partner.
This event is co-sponsored by Norse Violence Prevention, the Office for Student Accessibility, and LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives.
Registration is required. If you are attending in person, please note that you will still need to register via Zoom.
September
Sept. 15: NPHC Kickball Game, 6:00p - 8:00p (CRC)
Sept. 16: Movie in the Pool, 6:00p - 8:00p (CRC Pool)
Sept. 17: Bonfire, 7:00p (Northern View)
Sept. 20 - 21: NKU Blood Drive, 10:00a - 4:00p
Sept. 24: Stroll Off, 6:00p-8:00p (SU Ballroom)
October
Oct. 11: FSL Airbands, 6:00p - 10:00p
Oct. 14: NPHC Family Reunion, 6:00p - 7:00p (UC 335)
Oct. 28: NPHC Field Day, 6:00p (CRC Aux Gym)
November
Nov. 2: NPHC Family Reunion, 6:00p - 7:00p (UC 335)
Nov. 18: NPHC Thanksgiving Potluck, 6:00p - 8:00p (BCM)
December
Dec. 2: NPHC Paint N' Sip, 6:00p - 8:00p
Dec. 7: NPHC Family Reunion, 6:00p - 7:00p (UC 335)
End of Newsletter
This newsletter was created by David Berland on behalf of NKU Student Affairs. Please direct questions, comments, or updates to berlandd1@nku.edu.
Northern Kentucky University
832 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-6447
Fax: (859) 572-1310
