Quick Navigation

Northern Illinois University

Orientation & First-Year Experience

Foundations of Excellence

NIU Freshmen-

Take the Student Survey and have a chance to win one of twenty $50 cash prizes or a $1,000 tuition scholarship for Spring 2009

The following freshmen have won cash prizes in the Student Survey drawing:

Chris R., Lincoln Hall
Victoria N., Douglas Hall
Jasmine C., Grant Towers
Katrina N., Grant Towers
Kristin S., Douglas Hall
Reisheena M., Grant Towers
Dan P., Douglas Hall
Kayla G., Grant Towers
Ashley S., Grant Towers
Victoria N., Douglas Hall
Andrew C., Grant Towers

You could be next! Complete your online Student Survey and be eligible to win a cash prize of $50 or a $1,000 scholarship for the Spring 2009 semester!

Facts about the NIU Foundations of ExcellenceŽ Student Survey

Why are NIU freshmen taking this survey? NIU is participating in Foundations of ExcellenceŽ, a national program to help us develop the best possible first-year experience for our freshmen. The student survey will help us know what NIU is doing is doing well and how we need to improve. The entire freshman class is encouraged to complete the survey.

When is the survey available? The survey is available online between Friday, October 24 and Tuesday, November 25, 2008.

How do I participate? All eligible freshmen were sent a message to their NIU e-mail account. The message contains a link which takes them to the survey, which is administered by Educational Benchmarking, Inc.

How will the survey results be used? A summary of all responses will be given to the Foundations of ExcellenceŽ Task Force, a group of faculty, staff, and students who are coordinating this project. This group will make recommendations and develop an action plan for improving the first-year experience at Northern. The survey is confidential, and no individual data will be used.

Why should I participate in the survey? Only you can tell us what it's like to be a first-year student at NIU. The more students who participate, the better overall picture we'll have of the freshman experience. Every opinion counts!

Are there incentives for participating? Yes! All students who complete their survey will be entered into a drawing for:

  • Twenty $50 cash prizes
  • One $1,000 scholarship for the Spring 2009 Semester.

If all NIU freshmen were to participate, each would have a 1/138 chance at winning a prize. Winners will be drawn at three different times during the survey period. All winners will be notified by December 1, 2008.

What other information will be used to enhance NIU's first-year experience? Faculty and staff who teach and work with freshmen will also be asked to complete a survey in early 2009. The Task Force will also take a close look at existing NIU policies and programs that serve first-year students.

What if I have questions about the survey or the Foundations of ExcellenceŽ project? E-mail foundations@niu.edu for more information and answers to questions. We will see that your question is directed to the best person for a response.