PICTURES FROM AN INSTITUTION.

The 2022-2023 academic year comes to its conclusion at Northern Illinois University.  As far as I recall, it was a return to on-campus life, in-classroom learning, and athletic disappointment.  Operationally, it was an average year, in the way of the Warsaw Pact nations.

A new president of the Faculty Senate was appointed in Wednesday’s final Faculty Senate meeting of the year.

Ben Creed, an assistant professor in educational administration, has been welcomed as the next Faculty Senate President. Creed will begin the position July 1 and is expected to hold the position for the next three years, according to the faculty senate bylaws.

I was wondering about that "assistant professor" reference.  He is so rostered, although with a Ph.D. received in 2016, it might be that he has been frocked as associate professor with tenure by his department and college, and the assent of the trustees will be forthcoming in May.  Such a reward, though, for earning academic tenure, you get tabbed for another committee.

I draw no inferences for the turnover among deans.

During the meeting, it was announced that several deans will be leaving NIU after the spring semester is completed.

Beverly Henry, interim dean and director of Health and Human Sciences, and Donald Peterson, dean of the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, have completed their terms as deans of NIU. Balaji Rajagopalan, dean of the College of Business, has also announced his departure after holding his position for seven years.

I don't follow the history of interim deans, these days the job isn't exactly a prestige appointment any more.  It's still the case that the athletics teams, despite their record of middling mediocrity in that most middingly mediocre Mid-American Conference, have their nutrition coaches.  The general student population are in another place.

In addition to the position updates, NIU’s Huskie Closet is looking for support from the academic departments to issue more involvement in the organization.

Alicia Schatteman, associate professor and director for the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies, said during her report on the Huskie Closet that the organization is looking for donations to help support students in need. The closet is currently offering and accepting adult clothing but is looking to expand into children’s apparel as the organization grows.

That field work on the operation of non-profit institutions might take place right there on campus, mightn't it?  The "Huskie Closet" provides interview apparel for students, and apparently the students-as-parents population is growing, and stressed.  There's also a food pantry providing opportunities for those future non-profit organizers to acquire relevant experience.