January 26, 2006

News briefs

Chicago garage expansion adds 967 parking spaces

The newly opened addition to the University’s Erie-Ontario Garage (D Lot) has added 967 parking spaces on the Chicago campus.

The 12-story addition to the west side of the existing garage expands parking accommodations for faculty, staff and students with University parking permits as well as the general public. The post-tensioned addition totals more than 300,000 square feet and nearly doubles the capacity of the garage,

The addition, which fronts on Fairbanks Court between East Erie Street and East Ontario Street, was built on the site formerly occupied by a CTA bus turnaround facility and a two-story building. The garage now includes a through-way to provide access for CTA buses to Erie and Ontario. Buses will not pick up or discharge passengers in the garage.

The new facility features 6,600 square feet of ground floor space on Fairbanks that has been leased to First American Bank for retail use.

Other University garages on the Chicago campus are the Huron-St. Clair (C Lot) and 275 East Chestnut (E Lot at Lake Shore Center).

Nominate an employee of the year

A staff member who goes above and beyond other employees in commitment and service to the University can be nominated for Employee of the Year. Nomination forms will be accepted from any member of the University community. Every year one staff member from each campus is selected by a committee that reviews the nominations. Staff who have been at the University for at least three years and were not winners in the previous year’s program are eligible. 

Finalists and winners will be honored at the University’s Staff Service Recognition Luncheon on May 3.

Nomination forms can be found at www.northwestern.edu/hr/training/servrec.html. All nominations are due on Feb. 6.

Public invited to Family Fair

An Evanston-area Family Fair to bring family-related businesses and resources together with young families under one roof will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Louis Room of Norris University Center.

The fair, sponsored by the Northwestern Work/Life, Child and Family Resource Office, is free and open to the public. It will include exhibitors from a variety of interest areas for young families, including health and safety; private education; early childhood education; child care and after-school programs; recreational activities; enrichment programs; and children’s retailers.

The resource fair provides the community convenient access to information just in time to make arrangements for children’s summer camp, fall childcare and recreation. Exhibitors will provide program information, giveaways and hands-on activities for children.

Children’s entertainment will include a Spanish puppet show by Language Stars, a performance and interactive workshop by The Mime Company, a magician, and a cappella style music by student performers. Fair attendees will also have an opportunity to win raffle prizes.

Free parking is available in University lots after 4 p.m.