Faculty and Staff
The Qatar Support Office provides logistical and administrative support to NU-Q faculty and staff visitors to the Evanston campus.
Hotel bookings
The QSO places hotel reservations for NU-Q staff and faculty traveling to Evanston and Chicago on approved business trips.
Every effort will be made to accommodate specific hotel requests at NU’s preferred Evanston and Chicago properties. QSO staff will suggest alternatives if preferred properties are fully booked. For planning purposes, please note that Evanston hotels often have limited or no availability during University-wide events, such as Family Weekend and Commencement.
NU-Q staff and faculty may access a list of Northwestern’s preferred hotel properties.
Airport transfers and local ground transportation
The QSO arranges airport and ground transportation for NU-Q faculty and staff traveling to Evanston on approved business trip. Transport fares and tips are invoiced to and paid for by the QSO.
In order to arrange airport transport, please email the following information to the QSO:
- Complete flight itinerary including arrival and departure dates, flight time, airline, and flight number
- Transport origin and destination
- Mobile phone number (US-capable number preferred, if applicable)
- Other relevant details such early departure, excess baggage, etc.
The QSO can also arrange local ground transportation for approved business purposes when meetings are not within walking distance of the hotel and campus. Please inform the QSO of all ground transportation needs prior to arrival.
Work and meeting space
The QSO is located at 1801 Maple Avenue, Suite 5230 (fifth floor) in Evanston, IL. The QSO office is open from 8:30am – 5pm, Monday through Friday, except on University holidays. Drop-ins are always welcome, but visitors should contact the QSO in advance to ensure work space availability.
The QSO office suite offers work and meeting space for NU-Q staff, faculty, and other guests. Facilities include:
- Private office space with desktop computer, seating for 4 (available on a first come, first served basis, with preference given to leadership visits)
- Networked color printer, scanner, and photocopier with fax.
- Dedicated QSO conference room with video conferencing, seating for 12
- Wi-fi and Ethernet connection to Northwestern’s network (requires NetID or guest login)
- Kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker
The QSO will also arrange catering for meetings and other NU-Q gatherings held in the office suite’s conference room.
For larger NU-Q programs and meetings, the QSO can reserve space and arrange catering at Norris University Center, the James L. Allen Center, as well as at several off-campus venues. Space in these facilities is very limited, and should be requested as far in advance as possible.
Meeting scheduling
The QSO can help to coordinate meeting schedules for NU-Q faculty and staff traveling to the Evanston and/or Chicago campuses on approved business trips. Please contact the QSO well in advance of travel to request assistance with scheduling meetings.
US mobile phone
NU-Q staff and faculty traveling to Evanston may request use of a local mobile phone during approved business trips. The QSO will provide a basic phone (no smartphone features) with pre-paid credit for domestic calls. Travelers should contact the QSO prior to arrival to request a phone. Generally phones can be left for NU-Q visitors at the front desk of Evanston hotels for pick-up at check-in.
Campus tours
The QSO can coordinate campus tours for NU-Q students, faculty, and staff. Tours are offered by the Office for Undergraduate Admissions or by a QSO staff member (when available). Contact the QSO in advance of travel to request a campus tour.
Training and workplace learning
The QSO can help to coordinate trainings, workshops, and professional development opportunities on-campus. Most training sessions and workshops can be scheduled directly through the offering department, but the QSO is available to assist.
Departments offering training opportunities at Northwestern include (partial list):
- Finance Facilities and Research Administration, offering training on university systems
- Human Resources, offering various workplace learning opportunities
- NUIT offering trainings and workshops on IT systems and software
Local orientation
The QSO is happy to provide information about campus, the cities of Evanston and Chicago, transportation, local eateries, shopping, and entertainment. The QSO staff members reside in Evanston and Chicago and enjoy sharing their local knowledge to help orient you to the Chicagoland area and all it has to offer. Please contact the QSO by email or stop by the office during your visit for information and recommendations.
Resources:
Don’t forget your WildCARD! All Northwestern staff, faculty, and students (including NU-Q) enjoy discounts at many local businesses using their WildCARD. See a current list of WildCARD Advantage participants.