Ananth Prabhu

On June 15, 2023, NEIU’s Board of Trustees unanimously passed a motion to approve a new graduate major: Master of Science in Nursing – Entry Into Practice Program.

According to the President’s Report to the Board of Trustees, this two-year program will “educate students at the master’s level which not only prepares them to be competent RNs [registered nurses] and clinicians, but also leaders in the profession of nursing who will promote high quality, collaborative care that is equitable and reduces health disparities.”

As a result of the Board of Trustees’ unanimous vote to pass this motion, NEIU will now seek degree-granting authority for this program from the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

Additionally, during the public comment portion of the meeting, Bader Alwan, an elected member of NEIU’s Student Government Association addressed student needs on campus, 

“The Board of Trustees recently announced $124 million on capital reappropriation for different projects including the construction of the new education building. We know that almost 20 years ago the new College of Education building was proposed due to the needs at the time. We also understand that the funding for projects might come from different sources. The students’ requests further detailed information about the different projects that the board is working on to see if they are accommodating to the students’ needs. The campus has been neglected [for] far too long; the needs of this campus have changed. We challenge the board to take a deeper look into building the new College of Education where the Bryn Mawr abandoned buildings are.”

Alwan is referring to the Independent’s reporting of the abandoned Bryn Mawr buildings, which were originally intended for student housing, that have remained vacant since NEIU acquired them through eminent domain in 2016.

Alwan also references NEIU’s unused spaces, including the Campus Recreation’s closure of its pool, “We have a lot of underutilized space on campus that requires the investment of improvement. The neglected needs for better art and science labs, remodeling spaces such as the PE Complex and opening the pool and ensuring the same resources at CCIS and El Centro campuses.”

Alwan concludes his speech with some food for thought, “I ask the board of trustees to accommodate student perspectives on improving the campus instead of leaving it as a ghost town. We believe it would have an immediate impact on student enrollment. Maybe sometimes the simplest idea is the best idea.”

In what was expected to be her last Board of Trustees meeting as President of NEIU, Gloria Gibson addressed the Board and the NEIU community.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the campus staff, the Board, and the community for the opportunity to serve as NEIU’s seventh president. I wish the university only the best moving forward… As Northeastern embarks on a new chapter, I have faith that the strength of the university community will serve as a foundation for future success with my best wishes for the future.” 

Gibson’s last day as president was June 30, 2023.