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The Backpack

A news source for parents and families of NAU students

Sophomore Year Living Options

Northern Arizona University has a vibrant campus community, due in large part to the wide-ranging on-campus living and dining options. Last week a student confided to me that she “can’t wait” for reapplication time because she was looking forward to moving to McDonald Hall with her friends. If your son or daughter will be a sophomore this coming term, many new housing options will now be available, including the much sought-after apartment and suite-style halls. It's wonderful that the residence halls are central to campus and provide such easy access to dining, recreation, and academics.

If your student will be living in the same hall (Freshman Connections halls not eligible), he/she will apply online at nau.edu/reslife during Same Hall, Same Room (March 24-26) or Same Hall, Different Room (March 31-April 2) application times. More information about reapplications and the 20 different residence halls on campus is available online.

—Derek Hansen

Writing Contests For Cash

I recently learned about two writing contests available to students and wanted to get the word out as quickly as possible. This is a great way for your student to earn some cash for school, for play, or whatever! The deadlines are coming soon, so encourage your student to apply.

The Importance of Art… — $500

Sponsored by the Linda Durham Contemporary Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this essay contest is open to “everyone in the world.” Submissions must address how art can heal, comfort, inspire, or improve conditions in our challenging political, social, and economic world. Entries must be received by Wednesday, March 4.

Submission and entry information is available online, or by e-mailing info@lindadurham.com.

Be Funny and Win Money — $300

Calling all creative, witty, and hilarious students—take a stab at putting comedic cleverness in writing with the Finley Humorous Writing Contest. Entries must be received in the School of Communication, room 301 by 12 p.m. Friday, March 13.

Sponsored by the School of Communication as the only endowed humor-writing contest in the country, this annual competition provides NAU students with a unique opportunity to receive recognition for writing humor, and a chance to win $300!

More information is available online, or contact Thomas.Carpenter@nau.edu, 928-523-8927.

Submitted by Rachel Nobel, Public Relations/Advertising student

Events and Happenings

An Evening of Poetry with Nikki Giovanni

Thu, Mar 5, 7 p.m.
Ballroom, du Bois Center
nau.edu/msc/BHM
This event is free of charge

Poet Nikki Giovanni will share her poetry and thoughts on NAU’s Black History Month theme “From Chains to Change.”

Tickets are free and can be picked up at the Central Ticket Office located in the University Union. Contact Deborah.Harris@nau.edu for further information.

The Importance of Being Earnest

Feb 27, 28 | Mar 1*, 4–7
Curtain at 8 p.m. (*2 p.m. matinee)
nau.edu/theatreevents
Clifford E. White Theatre

If you’re planning a trip to see your son or daughter in Flagstaff in the coming weeks, don’t miss this opportunity to see Earnest—one of Oscar Wilde’s most delightful and memorable social comedies.

“When one is in town one amuses oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people.” —Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, Act 1.

Sporting Events

The NAU Ice Jacks will be traveling to Rochester, New York, March 3–7 for the Division III Ice Hockey Championships. They are ranked #1 in a division that includes the Air Force Academy, University of Colorado, Creighton University, University of New Mexico, and University of California-San Diego.

Good luck Ice Jacks!

Important Dates

College of Arts and Letters
Events Highlights

All events are free unless noted. For more events and information visit nau.edu/calevents. Sign up for a weekly e-mail reminder at nau.edu/calconnect.

MUSIC

THEATRE

ART EXHIBITIONS

LECTURE/TALK SERIES

Mar 5

Ellen Spiro Cline Assembly Hall 7 p.m. An award-winning documentary filmmaker, Spiro has been recognized with her controversial social-issue films. Film screenings of Body of War on Mar 2 at 4 p.m. and Mar 4 at 5 p.m. Screening of her film Troop 1500 will be held on Mar 3 at 5 p.m. There will be a Q&A session for students at the Riles Building, Third Floor Atrium, (coffee and pastries provided!). Spiro will be recognized at the 2009 NAU Moral Courage Awards, Mar 6 at 2:30 p.m., Riles, third floor atrium.

Spring ‘09 Career and
Graduate School Fair

Download the PDF Flyer (PDF, 356 KB)

Wed, Mar 4, 2009
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
High Country Conference Center, Flagstaff

More than 60 employers and graduate schools will be available to answer questions and take resumes and applications! Encourage your student to attend—even as a freshman—to learn more about the employment and graduate school opportunities available. This is a great opportunity to polish interviewing skills and rub shoulders with prospective employers and graduate school representatives.

The spring ‘09 Interview Day will be at the Gateway Student Success Center (building 43)
from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

For more information see nau.edu/gateway or call 523-4772.

Open House on the NAU
Challenge Course

Fri, Mar 6 at 1 p.m.

The NAU Challenge Course will open its doors on Friday, March 6 for anyone interested in experiencing its high elements from 1 to 5 p.m.

This is a great opportunity for the whole family. If you can make it, meet us in Flagstaff and challenge yourself to walk across the balance beam, jump off the confidence pole, or maybe even ride the zip-line!

Not everyone knows that NAU has a complete confidence and high-elements ropes course right on campus!! If you can’t make the open house, let your student know about this amazing opportunity that can build self-confidence and greater self-awareness.

For more information, contact Nicholas Hagemann.