ANSWER 1: NIU-ACA is a student group at Northern Illinois University dedicated to issues of social justice in the criminal justice system. We are also a student chapter of the American Correctional Association. A description of our goals and mission is listed on the niu-aca homepage. The chapter is a non-pre-preprofessional organization.

QUESTION 2: WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF NIU-ACA?

ANSWER 2: Our mission can also be found on our information page

QUESTION 3: WHAT IS THE ACA?

ANSWER 3: The ACA (American Correctional Association) is the primary corrections professional association in the U.S. Although corrections oriented, it addresses much broader issues of interest to law enforcement, social work, domestic violence, and other issues related to crime and criminal justice.

QUESTION 4: HOW DO I JOIN NIU-ACA?

ANSWER 4: For information on joining, contact:

The Faculty Advisor - Jim Thomas

at jthomas@sun.soci.niu.edu. Or, call at 815-753-6436.

QUESTION 5: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

ANSWER 5: Joining NIU-ACA costs $20 a year. For this, you receive a membership in the ACA and a dual membership in the ICA (Illinois Correctional Association), in addition to chapter dues of $5.

QUESTION 6: WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO DO AS A MEMBER?

ANSWER 6: There will be many opportunities to share ideas, suggestions for events, attend periodic meetings, participate via email and the discussion list, and pursue your justice-related interests. We recognize the time is precious, so we are organizing the chapter to recognize time constraints while still "hearing" all members.

QUESTION 7: I CAN'T ALWAYS MAKE MEETINGS. CAN I STILL JOIN?

ANSWER 7: Yes, you can still join and be an active, fully participating member. Although members are encouraged to come to meetings, and meetings are were the core ideas are developed, voting will be electronic as much as feasible, and member can have input into the agenda by sending their issues prior to meetings. Also, the various events, such as prison tours, lectures, workshops and conferences, as well as dinners, picnics and networking, will occur periodically, allowing everybody to participate.

QUESTION 8: WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME!??

ANSWER 8: You can see the activities for an idea of what we plan to do. This is a good way to develop information about various aspects of the criminal justice system, participate in workshops, meet other people, tour criminal justice agencies such as courts, police, and especially prisons.

QUESTION 9: CAN I PARTICIPATE WITHOUT PAYING DUES!??

ANSWER 9: Yes, you can participate in most activities, come to parties and other events, and come to meetings and participate in discussions. However, you MUST be a dues-paying member to vote and to go on the niu-aca only prison tours.

QUESTION 10: WHEN ARE MEETINGS!?

ANSWER 10: Meetings are once a month. In Spring, 2005, they will generally be on a Tuesday at 6 pm in 152 Zuluaf. The exact dates will be announced a few weeks in advance. However, we do much of our business electronically, including discussions of events, electronic voting, and other business to assure that people who cannot make all the meetings can still fully participate.

Return to the NIU-ACA Homepage

Last Update - 10 October, 2004