Last updated July, 2008
This handbook is provided by the faculty and administration of the School of Music as an aid and guide to your university experience. We hope that we have anticipated questions and provided answers that will enable that experience to be productive and positive.
The policies and procedures contained in this handbook may change from year to year as curricula and other aspects of musical life change. You are encouraged to review the handbook on a regular basis so that you are familiar with the aspects of your particular degree program that require your attention.
Students in the School of Music are expected to conform to a high standard of academic integrity and maturity. It is your responsibility to read this handbook and the Graduate Catalog or Undergraduate Catalog thoroughly and make sure that your degree program is completed according to the stated requirements.
If you have questions and are unable to locate the answer in this handbook, please ask for assistance. This handbook is not intended as an authoritative document concerning academic policy and does not supersede the Graduate and Undergraduate Catalogs or other official university publications.
University Communications. Important communication is sent to students via regular mail and e-mail, and the university uses official student addresses on file and NIU-provided z-account e-mail addresses for these communications. No other e-mail address is used, so you must check your NIU mail regularly. The university is phasing out the use of written communication in favor of e-mail, so this is very important.
Verifying Address(es). It is extremely important that the University Office of Registration and Records has your current permanent and local addresses and telephone numbers on file. We invariably have students who experience problems because NIU has mailed important information to them at a non-current address. To check your current personal data, logon to MyNIU. You can also check/change information in person at Registration and Records (Williston 220) or via the telephone (815)753-0681
Accessing z-account e-mail. Students can access their NIU z-account e-mail account from anywhere with Internet access by using the Student Webmail (NetMail) interface. You will be prompted to enter your "User Name" (your Z-id) and your Novell account password. If you do not know your Z-id or password, there are links on the Student Webmail site to help you.
Forwarding z-account e-mail. As of September 1, 2007, students will no longer be able to forward their NIU-assigned z-account e-mail to other e-mail addresses/accounts. This change has been implemented to ensure that students receive important NIU e-mail that in some cases have legal ramifications, e.g., financial aid and health services notifications. While you may still use another e-mail provider (Yahoo, Gmail, etc.) for personal mail, you should always use your NIU provided e-mail account for university correspondence. All NIU messages will only be available on your university z-account, so remember to check it often.
Absence from Class
Academic Advising
Academic Integrity
Academic Overloads/Registraton Policies
Advising Week
Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Change of Major/Emphasis
Change of Private Instructor
Convocation & Honors Convocation
Declaring a Major in Music
Faculty Evaluation
Grade Appeal
Graduate Recital/Thesis/Composition/Final Project
Graduate Students' Final Term/Comprehensive Examination
Incompletes
Independent Studies
International Student Employment
Internships
Late Drop/Add
Minimum "C" Requirement
MUSC 099 - Recital Attendance
NIU Grading System
Piano Proficiency
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Registering for Classes on the Internet
Repeating a Course
Sponsored Admission Advisement
Third Enrollment
Transfer Evaluation
Area Requirements/Juries
Brass
Ensembles
Guitar
Harpsichord
Jazz Studies
Organ
Percussion
Piano
Strings
Voice
Woodwinds
Choral Music Library
Concert Hall Pianos
Damage and Theft
Duplicating and Copying
Harpsichord Usage Policies
Hours
Instrumental Music Library
Keys
Lockers
Lost and Found
Music Stands
Parking Permits
Phones
Piano Practice Rooms
Policy on Smoking, Food, Drinks and Alcohol
School Instruments
Use of Rehearsal Spaces
Eligibilty
Audition Procedures
Selection of Judges
Expectation of Soloists
Audition Dates
General Education Requirements
Master of Music Specializations Check Lists
Music Education
Performance - Instrumental
Performance - Keyboard
Performance - Vocal
Individualized - Choral Conducting
Individualized - Composition
Individualized - Computer Music & New Media Technology
Individualized - General
Individualized - Jazz Studies
Performer's Certificate
Undergraduate B.A. and B.M. Degree Emphases Check Lists
Bachelor or Arts in Music (B.A.)
Composition (B.M.)
Music Education - Instrumental (B.M.)
Music Education - Instrumental+Jazz Studies (B.M.)
Music Education - Vocal (B.M.)
Performance - Instrumental (B.M.)
Performance - Jazz Studies (B.M.)
Performance - Keyboard (B.M.)
Performance - Vocal (B.M.)
Teacher Certification Check List
Administration, Area Coordinators, and Staff
Community School of the Arts
Faculty
Fine Arts House
Graduate Assistantships/Tuition Waivers
MCL - Music Computer Laboratory
NIUCMS - NIU Computer Music Studios
NIU Libraries
Scholarships
Student Committees and Organizations
Scheduling a Recital
Cancellations
Time Slots
Length of Recitals
Programs
Audio/Visual Requirements
Tape Recording/CDs
Recital Course Registration
Miscellaneous
Graduate Research Travel Grants
Guidelines for Good Writing
Guidelines for Writing Research Papers
NIU and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act
Procedures for Appealing Allegedly Capricious Smester Grades of Undergraduate Students
Procedures for Appealing Allegedly Capricious Smester Grades of Graduate Students
Research Involving Human Subjects
University Policies for Grades of Incomplete
Printable Forms (.pdf format)
Accompanist Request Form
Advising Form
Concerto Competition Audition Form
Independent Study Request Form
MUSC 599-699 Information Form
Recording Request Form
Scholarship Application Form
Scholarship Recommendation Form
Student Recital Request Form
Waiver of Confidentiality Form
Waiver of Prerequisite or Corequisite Request Form