Northern Illinois University
Office of General Counsel

The President of NIU (“President”) has been authorized by the Board of Trustees to delegate to members of the University staff (individually referred to as a “Delegate”) the authority to sign contracts on behalf of the University, subject to the required approvals provided in the OGC Contracts Procedures. Such delegations of authority are listed in the Contracting Authority Signature Delegation List below. All delegations are made to a position within the University, thereby delegating authority to the individual holding the position. Any delegation of signature authority given may be modified or withdrawn by the President at any time.

If a position is not listed on the list below, that position does not have authority to sign contracts on behalf of NIU.

Notwithstanding any signature delegation authority received by a Delegate, all University contracts remain subject to compliance with all applicable NIU policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the OGC Contracts Procedures. Delegates are responsible for confirming that an agreement has received all required University review and approval prior to signing the agreement.

Any individual who signs a University contract without delegated authority is subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal and may be held personally liable for the contract and any damages caused to the University.

The authority to sign contracts on behalf of NIU is herewith delegated by the President as follows:

1. 1. For contracts respecting the business operations of the university or otherwise not delegated to:
      • Chief Financial Officer
      • Associate Vice President for Facilities Management and Campus Services
      • Associate Vice President for Finance and Treasury
   2. For contracts respecting the academic interests of the University to:
      • Executive Vice President and Provost
      • Vice Provost
      • Associate Vice Provost for Education Licensure and Preparation (education licensure affiliation agreements, teaching confidentiality agreements)
      • Vice President for Research and Innovation Partnerships
      • Vice President for Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development and Chief Engagement Officer (contract-course contracts only)
      • Dean, University Libraries (deeds of gift to the Regional History Center only)
      • Assistant Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs/Director of Sponsored Programs Administration (performance contracts only)
   3. For purchase orders:
      • Chief Financial Officer
      • Executive Director, Procurement Services and Contract Management
      • Director, Procurement Services and Contract Management (for purchase orders $249,999 or less)
      • Senior Contract Coordinator (for purchase orders $100,000 or less)
      • Contract Coordinator (for purchase orders $50,000 or less)
   4. For contracts respecting University Outreach:
      • Vice President for Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development and Chief Engagement Officer
   5. For contracts relating to entertainment or with visiting performers to:
      • Vice President for Student Affairs
      • Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
      • Assistant Dean of Students
      • Executive Director of the Holmes Student Center
   6. For contracts relating to events and programs sponsored by NIU Recreation:
      • Director, Intercollegiate Athletics
   7. For contracts relating to conference services and space rental at the NIU Outreach Centers:
      • Director of Institutional Conferencing
      • Director of Organizational Effectiveness
      • Program Director
      • Outreach and Engagement Manager
      • Senior Events Administrator (facilities use agreements only*)
      • Events Administrator (facilities use agreements only*)
      • Senior Events Coordinator (facilities use agreements only*)
      • Events Coordinator (facilities use agreements only*)
        *Outreach Conferencing Facilities Use Agreement University-approved template
   8. For contracts relating to use of the Lorado Taft Field Campus:
      • Director, Lorado Taft Field Campus
      • Special Events Facilitator, Lorado Taft Field Campus
   9. For contracts relating to Experiential Learning Center projects:
      • Dean, College of Business
      • Director, Experiential Learning Center
   10. For contracts relating to the University Press:
       • Vice President for Research and Innovation Partnerships
   11. For contracts relating to subscriptions, software and online products and services, and books, printed materials, databases and cataloging records obtained for the Shapiro Memorial Law Library:
       • Dean, College of Law
       • Director, Law Library
   12. For contracts relating to Intercollegiate Athletics:
       • Chief of Staff to the President
       • Director, Intercollegiate Athletics (for contracts $25,000 or less)
   13. For contracts relating to the employment of individuals:
       • Executive Vice President and Provost
   14. For contracts respecting International Affairs:
       • Associate Vice President for International Affairs
   15. For agreements respecting affiliations, clinical experiences and internships:
       • Dean, College of Business
       • Dean, College of Education
       • Dean, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
       • Dean, College of Health and Human Sciences
       • Dean, College of Law
       • Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
       • Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts
       • Field-Experience Coordinator, Counseling and Higher Education Department (program-level internship plan and agreement forms only)
   16. For contracts relating to College of Health and Human Sciences Third-Party Payor Contracting (e.g., Medicare):
       • Dean, College of Health and Human Sciences
   17. For contracts relating to Sponsored Programs Administration:
       • Vice President for Research and Innovation Partnerships
       • Assistant Vice President for Research and Innovation Partnerships
       • Sponsored Programs Administration Directors (including Associate and Assistant)
       • Grants and Contracts Associates
   18. For contracts respecting immigration matters handled by or on behalf of the Division of International Affairs:
       • Senior International Officer
       • Immigration Specialist
   19. For HIPAA business associate agreements:
       • HIPAA Privacy Officer
   20. For contracts relating to subscriptions, software and online products and services, and books, printed materials, databases and cataloging records obtained for the Founders Memorial Library, Faraday Library, and the Music Library:
       • Dean, University Libraries
   21. For settlement agreements in the amount of $500 or less for bodily or personal injury claims sustained on an NIU campus or property otherwise under the control of NIU:
       • Director of Risk Management
   22. For contracts relating to space rental of College of Visual and Performing Arts facilities in the Music, Theater or Art building:
       • Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts
   23. For banquet facility and restaurant contracts for College of Business events in the amount of $10,000 or less:
       • Dean, College of Business
       • Associate Dean, College of Business
       • Assistant Dean, College of Business
   24. For agreements relating to the loaning of artwork for display on the NIU campus:
       • Dean, College of Business
       • Dean, College of Education
       • Dean, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
       • Dean, College of Health and Human Sciences
       • Dean, College of Law
       • Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
       • Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Last Revised Date: February 19, 2024