New Student and Family Programs 600 Haven St. J230 Evanston, IL 60208

family@northwestern.edu 847-467-6100

Hello Wildcat Parents & Family Members! As I write this, I have my office windows wide open and am enjoying the 49 degree temp– cer-tain that Spring will soon be on it’s way! With the arrival of daylight savings time and spring break on the horizon, our students will soon be embarking upon finals. This edition of The Wildcat Family Focus highlights the array of exam relief activities available for our students during exam week, which takes place March 17—21.Students can soothe away their stress while petting a therapy dog, eating free Dunkin’ Donuts, utilizing a “pop-up” library, or my per-sonal favorite—taking advantage of a free massage. Please encourage your student to take advantage of these and many other free initiatives during this challenging and often stressful time. Often a break from studying is just what they need to get back on track and be more productive in the end. Another sure sign that spring is on it’s way is the arrival of one of Northwestern's longest standing traditions and the largest philanthropic event on NU’s campus, Dance Marathon (NUDM) which took place this past weekend. For 30 hours straight, 1500 plus NU students danced to raise money and awareness for Team Joseph which raises funds to fight Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Even President Obama joined in the excitement by kicking off the festivi-ties with a video of support. This year, participants raised more than 1.3 million dollars—a fit-ting way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of DM. Turn the page to learn more about the amazing (and often smelly) event that rocked campus this weekend. Some parents will see their students during spring break while other’s may have to live vicari-ously through texts and snap chats. Whatever your student’s plans are, we hope they have a safe (and warm) Spring Break!

Best Regards & As Always, Go ‘Cats!

Patricia F. Hilkert Director of New Student and Family Programs Northwestern University

NU DANCE MARATHON

This past weekend, more than 1000 dancers, DM staff mem-bers, and members of the North-western and Evanston communi-ty came together for 30 hours of dancing for Team Joseph. Dance Marathon raised over $1.3 mil-lion for the organization, which seeks to expand medical re-search for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Dance Marathon cel-ebrated its 40th year as a be-loved NU tradition. For more information on DM, vis-it http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/archives/special/dance-marathon-2014.html and www.nudm.org

Photo: David Zhang, North by Northwestern

40TH ANNUAL DANCE MARATHON

MARCH 7-9TH

Photos: David Zhang, North by Northwestern

SUNDAY, MARCH 16 Therapy dogs Free ice cream and snacks Free study kits

MONDAY, MARCH 17 Free massages Free healthy snacks & Vitamin Water

TUESDAY, MARCH 18 Free Late Night Breakfast

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 Free Dunkin’ Donuts

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 Free pizza

NORTHWESTERN STUDY BREAKS

FINAL EXAM RELIEF AT

THE NORRIS CENTER

To help ease the stress of winter quarter finals, the Norris Center will be open 24 hours March 16-20. Exam Relief programming will include nightly study breaks along with free printing and coffee throughout finals week. In addition, Norris will offering the following:

For more information, visit norris.northwestern.edu/ER.

The library has partnered with Residential Academic Initiatives and will be setting up “pop-up libraries” in three residence dining halls March 4-6. Librarians will pro-vide research assistance and answer questions for students who are working on final papers and projects.

POP-UP LIBRARIES

From March 10 through the 21st, the university’s main library stays open 24 hours a day for those seeking a place to study. To help students decompress, the library will be providing three different study breaks during the week. There will be free snacks, popcorn, and coffee, a chance to play video games, and even five-minute massages with trained massage therapists.

LIBRARY STUDY BREAKS

NU CAREER SERVICES

HIRE BIG 10 PLUS VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR

NU PUBLIC INTEREST CAREER DAY

Alumni and students of the Big Ten Conference schools are invited to meet recruit-ers in a wide range of industries live online at the Hire Big 10 Plus Virtual Career Fair. Tuesday, April 8-Thursday, 10, 2014. To register, visit: http://hirebig10.careereco.net.

Public Interest Career Day offers students the opportunity to connect with em-ployers hiring for civically engaged jobs and internships (nonprofits, government, education and more!) and network with alumni who have found ways to connect their career paths with their interest in making a difference in the world. Co-sponsored by University Career Services and The Center for Civic Engage-ment. Tuesday, April 8, events starting at 12 p.m., Norris, 2

nd Floor. Stay tuned

for more information on http://www.northwestern.edu/careers and http://engage.northwestern.edu/cear.

Students and alumni of the Big Ten schools are invited to connect with employers in a wide range of industries at the 2014 Big Ten Conference Career Expo. Fri-day, March 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Union Station, Indianapolis. To register, visit: http://www.bigtencareerexpo.com.

2014 BIG TEN CONFERENCE CAREER EXPO

SIGP provides a $2500 stipend to undergraduate students par-ticipating in unpaid internships this summer and offers career development support from University Career Services. For qualifications and application instructions, visit: http://

www.northwestern.edu/sigp. Applications are being accepted through Tues-day, April 15 at 12 p.m. Upcoming information tables and sessions: Tuesday, April 1 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and Wednesday, April 2 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Norris, Ground Level and Thursday, April 3 from 12-1 p.m., Norris, Wildcat Room.

THE SUMMER INTERNSHIP GRANT PROGRAM

There’s still time for your student to find a summer job or intern-ship! The following funding and career fair opportunities await Northwestern students this spring. We hope your student finds an exciting opportunity at one or more of these events!

NORTHWESTERN DINING EMPLOYEE EARNS

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

NU CUISINE

Northwestern Dining would like to congratulate Tony Stubbs on being awarded the Regional Exceptional Experience Award from Sodexo for the month of January. To-ny braved the sub-freezing weather to get to work at Sargent. He took multiple buses and trains in extreme weather conditions in order to make it to campus to work. His dedication to the students deserves such a prestigious award and we are honored to have employees like Tony as members of our team. For all your Northwestern Dining information, visit dining.northwestern.edu

NU Cuisine can provide care packages for your student! Visit “Surprise Someone” to see ideas for study break baskets, birthday cakes, and ways to celebrate special occasions.

DID YOU KNOW...

Northwestern Dining is providing Final Exam treats from 9:00 – 11:00 pm, March 17-19 in all dining halls. Plaza Café in the Library will open until 2:00 am. March 16-19.

FINAL EXAM TREATS

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

OPEN FOR SPRING BREAK! This year, on-campus residents who will be returning for Spring quarter do not need to move out of their rooms and may remain in their rooms during the break period. There is no additional charge. Meal plans are not active but a modified meal plan will be available for an additional charge.

HOUSING CONTRACTING Returning undergraduate students wishing to contract for spaces in the residence halls for the 2014-2015 academic year will have the opportunity to do so beginning on Friday, March 14, 2014, at 5:00pm. Any student desiring to live in a residence hall, residential college, residential com-munity, or exclusive-use house, may accept the terms and conditions of the online housing contract from March 14, 2014, to April 7, 2014 at https://rms.housing.northwestern.edu/. A student must first contract for a space in University housing before an assignment to a specific room is possible. Students returning to their residential colleges or exclusive use buildings will com-plete their room selection as part of the established process for their unique build-ing. Students who will be participating in the online self-assignment room selection process will receive their priority numbers on Monday, April 14, 2014, after 5:00pm. Room selection will begin on Monday, April 21, 2014.

INFO FOR STUDENTS MOVING OUT AFTER WINTER QUARTER If your student is not returning to his or her residence hall for the spring quarter, stu-dents must: - Complete a cancellation form with Residential Services at 2122 Sheridan Rd. - Remove all items from their room. - Schedule an appointment with a Community Assistant to complete a check out at the time they expect to have their items removed from the room. The CA will collect their keys and inspect the room for any damages. - Update their mail forwarding address. If you have any questions, please contact a CA or Residence Director.

BEST ROOM PHOTO CONTEST See photos from the Best Room Photo Contest on the Residential Services Face-book page! A winning room has been announced for all four categories: best school spirit, best themed, best creative, and best decorated. Residents of the winning rooms each received a $75 Downtown Evanston gift card. Thank you to all who par-ticipated and voted!

HARAMBEE JANUARY 24, 2014

NU KICKS OFF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

MULTICULTURAL STUDENT AFFAIRS

During Black History Month, NU comes together to celebrate Black culture from around the diaspora. It's a time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. Each year, we kick off BHM with Harambee, a festival-like event featuring free food, music, and cultural celebration. Approximately 300 people at-tended this year's Harambee, helping to bring in a month that serves as a constant reminder of the importance to not only reflect, but also educate.

STUDENT LIFE

ALTERNATIVE STUDENT BREAKS

Alternative Student Breaks is going to nine different cities this spring break to engage in service-learning experiences! Students will visit sites in New York, Minnesota, Indiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Georgia. Some of the areas of service-learning that will be explored on the ASB trips are homelessness, immigration issues, Habitat for Humanity, and HIV/AIDS. Additionally, ASB will be putting on three class trips, where students who have learned about an issue in a classroom setting for the last quarter will go to Arizona, Colorado, or Costa Rica to engage in service-learning related to immi-gration reform, sustainable conservation for wolves, and sea turtle rescue. ASB is excited to be sending more than 150 students on incredible trips!

The LGBT Resource Center turns 10-years old in 2014! Please join us for a cele-bratory reception on May 19, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. The 10-Year Anniversary Recep-tion will be held at the LGBT Resource Center located in the Norris Center at Northwestern University. President Morton Schapiro and Vice-president Patricia Telles-Irvin will join us of this momentous occasion. In 2000, the first Safe Space Ally Workshop was offered by the LGBT Support Network (currently known as the LGBTQA Campus Advisory Network). Later this group collaborated with students to advocate for an LGBT Resource Center and a staff position. As a result of these efforts and with the support of Student Affairs administration, the LGBT Resource Center opened its doors on May 19, 2004 with two co-coordinators who worked six hours a week. Since then, the role has devel-oped into a full-time position, working to support our LGBT community and making sure our Northwestern students have a rich experience.

LGBT RESOURCE CENTER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS!

CESAR CHAVEZ COMMEMORATIVE DAY OF SERVICE

Join Omega Delta Phi on April 5th for a day of service. The event is part of a week long commemoration of Cesar Chavez sponsored by Multicultural Student Affair’s Hispanic/Latino Student Affairs. To sign up, visit http://www.nuodphi.com/. For more details about the week, visit the H/LSA website.

3RD ANNUAL AAA CONNECT

On January 16, 2014, students and alumni attended the 3

rd annual AAA Connect:

Asian/Asian American Student Affairs & NU-A5 Student Alumni Networking Recep-tion to share current experiences, success stories and practical advice. Alumni from a wide range of industries encouraged students to develop relationships with professionals in their field as well as to build capacity in the understanding the ex-periences of not only alum but of their peers. The event was a great success that fostered a strong connection between students and alumni. We look forward to hosting the annual reception next year!

ONE BOOK ONE NORTHWESTERN

One Book One Northwestern hosted by the Roberta Buffett Center for International and Comparative Studies sponsored the following programs at the beginning of the Winter Quarter:

HUNGER BANQUET One in seven people goes hungry every day, a matter not of scarcity, but of power.

January 23 One Book One Northwestern and Oxfam America served a free dinner at the Northwest-

ern Hunger Banquet, with Oxfam guest speaker Adam Olson. The students were able to see hunger

in a whole new way. Over 80 students drew tickets at the event to determine their seating and a

meal, corresponding with three income classes in the same proportion as food is distributed in the

world. Half the students sat on the floor with ½ cup of rice, 30% had rice and beans and 10% had a

multicourse meal of plenty. This demonstration was accompanied by a discussion of hunger in the

world.

ONE BOOK KEY NOTE February 5 Author and journalist Roger Thurow gave the One Book Keynote on this year’s common

read, The Last Hunger Season; A Year in an African Farm Community on the Brink of Change.

In addition to the keynote, Mr. Thurow participated in five different classes ranging from Journalism,

writing for social change, Politics and Culture of Food, Environmental issues, and International De-

velopment.

WEST AFRICAN DANCE

February 13 Idy Ciss, member of the Muntu Dance

Theatre of Chicago taught a class in West African

Dance. Over 40 students attended and many wore

authentic African grass skirts provided by the Pro-

gram of African Studies.

DEVELOPMENT & HUMAN RIGHTS February 11 Sponsored by The Buffett Center,

Amherst Professor Peter Uvin talked to a standing

room only crowd about the tensions between human rights and devel-

opment in Africa and the difficulties of putting a priority on human

right in the pursuit of international development.

ONE BOOK ONE NORTHWESTERN

HABIB KOITÉ

February 27 With his band of brilliant West African

musicians, Habib Koité showcases the rich and di-

verse sounds of Mali, blended seamlessly with Afro-

Cuban, flamenco, and blues influences. The vibrant

evening of music showcasing songs from Koité's new

album Soô, presented in conjunction with One Book

One Northwestern—this year featuring The Last Hun-

ger Season by Roger Thurow.

CABARET

Winter is a particularly hard time for families in need and this season is certainly no exception.

The Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University partnered with One Book

One Northwestern for a food drive during the run of the production of Cabaret (February 14 –

March 2). All proceeds were donated to Hillside Food Pantry in Evanston.

FRATERNITY & SORORITY LIFE

This was a philanthropic month for Northwestern sororities and fraternities. Chapters hosted late night food events, daytime bake sales, and even manicure stations to help raise money for their philanthropies. For many chapters, fundraising efforts are an integral part of preparing for the Northwestern University Dance Marathon (NUDM). Dance Marathon's proceeds benefit an or-ganization battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Greeks are proud to team up and undergo the intense preparation, fundraising and eventually dancing that the tradition entails. In addition to fundraising, Northwestern's Multicultural Greek Council welcomed guest speaker Alejandro Magana from Multicultural Student Affairs to speak on unity at its annual banquet this month. This event was a chance for community bonding and celebrating the past year's successes.

Multicultural Greek Council event with fraternal hand-signs

Alpha Phi’s annual Red Dress Gala philanthropy event

ATHLETICS

March 6th - Northwestern played Ohio State close for the entire 40 minutes in the first round of the 2014 Big Ten Tournament. After 12 ties and seven lead changes, the Buckeyes emerged the 86-77 victors. With a 15-15 record, the Wildcats are eligible for postseason play. NU will find out its postseason possi-bilities in the coming days as the WNIT makes its selections on Monday, March 17.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON CLOSES AT BIG TEN

STUDENT ATHLETES

HOLD FUNDRAISER

On Monday, March 3, Northwestern's incredible student-athletes came together to show that their skills extend well beyond their respective playing fields, all for a great cause. The Wildcats Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C) raised over $3,150 for the Dance Marathon beneficiary - Team Joseph. To view the recorded talent show or learn more, visit http://www.nusports.com/sports/.giveback/spec-rel/030414aac.html

MEN’S BASKETBALL HOLDS SENIOR NIGHT

March 6th - Senior Night didn't play out as Nikola Cerina, Drew Crawford and James Montgomery III had hoped, with Northwestern falling to Penn State, 59-32. But the disappointing finish didn't belittle the careers those three seniors enjoyed at Welsh Ryan Arena. For more information and pictures from Senior Night , visit http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030614aaa.html

The Big 10 Tournament begins for the NU men’s team this Thursday, March 13th against Iowa. Visit www.nusports.com for a full schedule.

Multicultural Greek Council event with fraternal hand-signs

Alpha Phi’s annual Red Dress Gala philanthropy event

View PlanIt Purple for upcoming events and details at NU!

SATURDAY, MARCH 15TH

WINTER CLASSES END

TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH - SUNDAY, MARCH 16TH

WEINBERG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

READING PERIOD

UPCOMING EVENTS

MONDAY, MARCH 17TH - FRIDAY, MARCH 21ST

FINAL EXAMS

MONDAY, MARCH 31ST

SPRING QUARTER CLASSES BEGIN

SPRING BREAK OFFICIALLY BEGINS

6 PM ON FRIDAY, MARCH 21ST

SATURDAY, MARCH 22ND— SUNDAY, MARCH 30TH

SPRING BREAK

Your student can take advantage of this time to study and prepare for finals. Check out “Northwestern Study Breaks” in this issue for opportunities to de-stress!

MONDAY, APRIL 7TH, 14TH, & 21ST

WILDCAT DAYS

New Wildcats will be checking out campus this spring! Wildcat Days are Northwestern’s campus preview days for admitted undergraduate students. For more information or to register, visit http://ugadm.northwestern.edu/