Campus Updates
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) grants to NSU students
Dear NSU Students: On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA). This new law gives the U.S. Department of Education funds to distribute to institutions of higher education in order to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the Higher [...]
Update: Dr. Maggio welcomes students for Spring 2021 semester
Welcome back and Happy New Year! I hope you had a great semester break with time to relax and recharge for the spring semester. As we begin a new semester, it is important for us to remain vigilant with health and safety protocols. There is a growing sense of optimism [...]
Growing sense of optimism highlights preparations for Spring semester
A Message from NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio Dear Faculty, Staff and Students: Please allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude and sincere congratulations to everyone associated with Northwestern State University for your monumental efforts and steadfast dedication in making the Fall 2020 semester so successful under such difficult circumstances. [...]
All classes cancelled until Tuesday, Sept. 8
From NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio All classes on Northwestern State University’s main campus in Natchitoches and other sites in Shreveport, Alexandria and Leesville have been cancelled through the Labor Day holiday and will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8. This includes all in-person and online classes. Anything course-related including, but [...]
Sports suspended until spring
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State’s fall sports schedules are moving to the spring of 2021. The Southland Conference announced Thursday the league will postpone fall sports conference competitions in football, volleyball, soccer and cross country with the intent of playing in the spring semester. The league’s fall sports teams are allowed to keep contracted non-conference games, if they so choose, and [...]
WRAC announces COVID facility regulations
In accordance with Northwestern State University, State of Louisiana, and CDC guidelines, the NSU WRAC will require modifications to normal operations. These changes are necessary to protect the health of our students, faculty, staff and community members. If you have been experiencing symptoms of illness, please do not come in [...]
Conine: Wear your mask, practice safety protocols and have a great semester
Dear Students: Welcome to Fall 2020 at Northwestern State. It’s good to have you on campus. By now, you are aware of many COVID19 protocols. Information from the LA Department of Health and the CDC changes often. Therefore, I urge you to frequently review the NSU Return to Campus Plan [...]
Maggio: We are all in this together.
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students: Everyone associated with Northwestern should take pride in the efforts and progress that have been so evident in the university’s plans and preparations for the Fall 2020 semester. We appreciate our new and returning students whose confidence in the school is reflected in their decision [...]
Update: Maggio outlines information for start of the semester
The fall semester is just a few short weeks away, and it will be exciting to have everyone back for another exciting academic year. We have worked diligently to adapt our campuses, instructional sites, and online learning resources to the new realities of higher education during this global crisis. As [...]
Update: Provost provides information on Fall 2020 course delivery
Administrators at NSU have been working diligently to ensure that the start of the Fall 2020 semester occurs in the safest way possible for all students, faculty, and staff of Northwestern State. With that safety in mind and considering all local, state and federal guidelines/recommendations, we have developed a plan which [...]
Maggio discusses Return To Campus plans
The beginning of the Fall, 2020, semester and a new academic year are just a month away, and it will be exciting and gratifying to have students, faculty and staff back together for in-person classes and activities. There have been extensive and innovative efforts in recent weeks to adapt our [...]
NSU developing return-to-campus framework
NATCHITOCHES – Staff and administrators at Northwestern State University are preparing for the Fall 2020 semester with a focus on safety along with the continuity of learning and research. Classes will be offered through several modalities, including face-to-face, online and in hybrid format with an emphasis on social distancing, hand [...]
Update: Aug. 8 commencement cancelled
After extensive consideration, the university has made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person commencement ceremonies that were scheduled for Aug. 8 for our Spring, 2020, graduates. The recent surge in coronavirus in Louisiana and across the nation and the extension of the Phase 2 reopening plan for the state [...]
Maggio Update – June 12: NSU will follow published academic calendar for Fall 2020
After careful and extensive consideration, it has been determined that the university will maintain our current, published Academic Calendar for Fall, 2020. This decision was made after obtaining input from more than 900 students, faculty, and staff members on a widely-distributed survey. There were also numerous discussions of scheduling options [...]
Maggio Update – June 5, 2020: Phase 2 operations begin Monday
In accordance with Gov. John Bel Edwards’ plan to start Phase 2 today of reopening Louisiana after the shutdown created by the pandemic, Northwestern will begin Monday moving into the second stage of its return-to-campus strategy. The purpose of the phased approach to reopening businesses and institutions is to move [...]
Maggio Update May 29, 2020: Conventional operations may change, but NSU is coming back
Dear Faculty and Staff: We are continuing to focus extensive attention on plans for a return to in-person classes and traditional campus activities for the fall semester and also on recruitment and retention of students for the 2020-21 academic year. This has been the emphasis of numerous meetings and communications [...]
Maggio Update: May 21, 2020 – Phased reopening has begun and other good news
Even in the midst of this global pandemic that has disrupted our lives, I hope we will all take some time over the Memorial Day weekend to remember and honor with our thoughts and prayers the thousands of men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military over [...]
Maggio outlines CARES Act policies
As a result of the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Congress passed and the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27. It includes funding allocations made to colleges and universities across the country. On April 9, the Department of [...]
Update: April 28, 2020 – Virtual commencement and thank you to health care workers
Update, April 28, 2020 Dear Faculty, Staff and Students: As this extraordinary Spring, 2020, semester comes to a close, work is nearing completion on the first Virtual Commencement Ceremony in the university’s 136-year history. The purpose of the program, obviously, is to honor the hundreds of Northwestern students who have [...]
Update: A Message to Faculty & Staff from ULS President Dr. Jim Henderson
Dear faculty and staff, It is hard to believe that only five weeks have passed since you managed the herculean task of shifting university operations online. Most of you are only a couple of weeks away from winding down your Spring semester or quarter and moving into a summer of [...]
Update: Maggio discusses proctoring, summer classes and CONSAH courses
Update - April 22, 2020: A Message from NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio: As we continue to work through this horrendous, heartbreaking crisis, your patience and understanding are encouraging and deeply appreciated. Your adaptability to drastic changes in university operations created by the pandemic has been inspiring. There are stories [...]
Update: Maggio shares information on virtual commencement, CARES Act and assistance enhancements
From NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio: I hope that everyone had a productive week and will be able to enjoy some time to rest and rejuvenate this weekend. We have made a lot of progress over that last few weeks, and I applaud you for your strength and determination in [...]
Maggio: Thankful for all who have been supportive during crisis
To: Faculty, Staff and Students As we pause this holiday weekend to catch our breath after weeks of grappling with the global crisis, my gratitude for your creativity and commitment to the mission and core values of the university cannot be overstated. From the outset, our faculty and staff have [...]
Update – April 7, 2020
Thank you for your patience and perseverance as we continue to work through this pandemic crisis. You remain engaged and understanding as you participate in classes and other academic activities, many in a new format. We continue to face monumental challenges, but a number of you have shared inspirational stories [...]
Update – Friday, April 3, 2020
We have completed the first week of classes after returning from Spring Break and marked another week of working remotely. Students have been engaged and understanding as they continued their academic activities, many in a new format. I realize there were monumental challenges for everyone, but a number of people [...]
Maggio announces COVID-19 Grading Policy
To: Faculty, Staff and Students: As Northwestern continues to assist and support students in every way possible to progress and succeed academically during these challenging times, the university has created a revised grading policy for the Spring, 2020, semester. Students have provided extensive information and input related to the impact [...]
Update – Friday, March 27, 2020: “Spring ‘break’ was different from any in the past.”
As we near the end of Northwestern’s Spring Break, we probably agree that this “break” was different from any in the past. One example was that hundreds of students moved out of residence halls instead of returning to campus, and university classes and services transitioned to primarily online delivery for [...]
Update – Sunday, March 22, 2020: Governor issues stay at home order
Update, Sunday, March 22, 2020 Today, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a statewide Stay at Home order, https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/Proclamations/2020/JBE-33-2020.pdf, that goes into effect at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, to further fight the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana, as the number of confirmed cases has exceeded 800 and reached more [...]
Update – March 20, 2020: On-campus students encouraged to return home
Campus Update, Friday, March 20, 2020 To help flatten the transmission curve of coronavirus, we announced earlier this week that we will continue the online and other alternative delivery of courses for the remainder of the spring semester. Beginning Monday, March 23, most of our campus faculty and staff will [...]
03/18/2020
Dear Faculty and Staff: Good afternoon. Every day continues to be eventful for campuses across the state. We anticipate still more adjustments as the situation with the coronavirus continues to evolve. I am confident our Northwestern State Family will continue to respond proactively to whatever conditions we face. I continue [...]
Modified operations will begin March 23
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University will operate under modified conditions beginning Monday, March 23. Most personnel have been directed to work remotely from their homes as the university, along with sister schools in the University of Louisiana System, implement increased preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. “Every day [...]
Update – March 18, 2020: NSU employees will work remotely beginning March 23
NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio provided the following update. Dear Faculty and Staff: Good afternoon. Every day continues to be eventful for campuses across the state. We anticipate still more adjustments as the situation with the coronavirus continues to evolve. I am confident our Northwestern State Family will continue to [...]
03/16/2020
In response to new directives from Gov. John Bel Edwards today, Northwestern will not allow gatherings of more than 50 participants on its campuses in the weeks ahead. As of today, all events in the Student Union Building have been canceled through April 15.
03/15/2020
It is important to adhere to all directives in the proclamation and especially critical for NSU personnel and other state employees to be aware of and comply with provisions in Sections 7 and 8 that deal with travel and leave.
03/14/2020
Northwestern State University suspended all in-person classes effective at the end of the day Friday, March 13. Currently, we are transitioning to online instruction and other remote learning alternatives set to begin on Thursday, March 19.
03/13/2020
Northwestern will join other schools in the University of Louisiana System in moving from face-to-face classes to primarily online instruction.
03/12/2020
Beginning immediately, university sponsored or funded non-essential domestic travel is being suspended. Vice-presidents must approve exceptions in their respective areas.
03/10/2020
All upcoming international travel for faculty and students has been suspended effective immediately as we track the spread of the coronavirus.