As the community center of Northwestern University's students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests, the Norris University Center provides services and programs designed to benefit members of the University family. Through various forms of involvement and as an integral component of the university, Norris Center offers students, in particular, direct experiences in participatory decision-making, encourages self-directed activities, and educates for leadership and social responsibility in an effort to complement classroom learning. By cultivating a sense of community and a spirit of loyalty, the Center serves as a unifying force in the life of the University. We will work to accomplish our mission within the framework of the following deeply held values:

• We value PEOPLE. We recognize that people, particularly students, are the most dynamic and unique resource available. We actively nurture and support both the intellect and the spirit of the total person.
• We value DIVERSITY. We actively foster an environment of mutual respect.   We encourage actions and experiences that promote learning, understanding, and the celebration of individual cultures, orientations, perspectives, abilities, religions, and other qualities that embody the human experience.
• We value COMMUNITY. We encourage academic and personal interaction, strong relationships, and civility among all of our constituents. We are dedicated to building unity and common identity for Northwestern within the spirit of service to others as members of a global community.
• We value EDUCATION. We will create an environment that enhances the academic mission of the University by providing life-long learning opportunities for members of the community in a variety of formats. We will provide developmental opportunities for students to complement their classroom experience, enhance their personal growth, and increase their awareness of and appreciation for the artistic process and aesthetic responsibility.
• We value SERVICE. We will strive to provide a superior level of customer service.   We will make every effort to accommodate the needs of the campus community with kindness, courtesy, and respect. We practice, encourage, and recognize service excellence at all levels.
• We value ACCOUNTABILITY. We will endeavor to know and respond to the determined needs of our community. We will work to anticipate the future environment and adapt programs, services, and facilities in response to these needs.
• We value FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. We recognize the importance of planning and monitoring of fiscal resources in an effort to be good stewards of the funds entrusted to us. We will consider financial implications in its appropriate place in the decision-making process.

Our logo, adopted in 2003, recalls the Old Oak native to the Evanston campus. In the 1800s, a large, old oak tree near Harris Hall served as a center for Northwestern community. We feel that Norris now plays the role of a nexus for our university and its students.

Since the dedication of the building in 1972, Norris has been the center for student activity at Northwestern University. Whether searching for artistic release, leadership opportunities, weekend movies, books, or just some friends and some grub, Norris has it, and much more. Students, faculty, staff, guests, and alumni alike can find something here. We hope to continue to build our Northwestern community, to foster old and new traditions, and to encourage Northwestern students to find their destination at Norris.

Oak trees continued to play a large role in Northwestern's history. The Old Oak, a 250-year-old Monarch Oak near University Hall, became the first gathering place for Northwestern students. Around the turn of the nineteenth century, students would gather underneath another oak, the "Trigonometree," at the end of each term. There they burned their math books in ritual celebration, a ritual that spawned an annual student musical, the predecessor of today's Waa-Mu show. Today, the Northwestern Alumni Association features an oak leaf in their logo, citing the oak as a symbol of Northwestern tradition as well as scholarship, strength, and steadfastness.

Mindful of Northwestern's rich heritage, Norris University Center seeks to emulate the oak by offering a place to relax and spend time with friends. While the oak's acorns represent the growth of students, faculty and staff, its branches represent the many services and program Norris has to offer. The roots represents Norris Center's core values of people, diversity, community, education, service, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.

As students of Northwestern and employees of Norris University Center, we must continue the tradition and spirit symbolized by the oak by working hard and making Norris a destination for all students at Northwestern.

• Customer Interaction – articulates clearly and listens to customers, maintains good eye contact and
  focuses on individual customer, and puts the customer first
• Presentation – positive image and reflection of self and the Norris Center
• Customer Satisfaction – follows through with customers in order to meet their expectations for service, and is persistent and creative in meeting customer needs

RESPONSIBILITY

• Attendance – arrives on time for shifts, works during scheduled hours and makes arrangements for replacements as needed
• Accuracy – is precise and works within allotted time frames, acknowledges when mistakes or missed deadlines occur and notifies supervisor appropriately
• Accountability – makes appropriate decisions regarding behavior, recognizes and accepts consequences of actions, and acts in a dependable manner
• Job Knowledge – knows job description and understands what the job entails, knows relevant information and policies, and seeks clarification when needed
  

TEAMWORK

• Communication – communicates information to team members, customers, and team leadership, and displays ability to adjust communication style appropriately
• Group Participation – attends team meetings and contributes to dialog, and supports others and appropriately adapts behavior in response to team needs
• Values Difference – relates well with team members from diverse backgrounds, interests, and values, and understands, recognizes and behaves appropriately when cultural differences exist
  

LEADERSHIP

• Risk Taking – demonstrates willingness to think creatively in order to improve quality, and takes risks and encourages evaluation of processes
• Goal Orientation – demonstrates effective planning and visioning of the future, and pushes self and others, when necessary, to accomplish goals
• Collaboration – fosters collaboration in their team and in the organization, and empowers others to act and strengthens their ability to do so
• Clarification of Values - can articulate personal and professional values and belief system, and sets the example for team and peers, acts as a role model
• Empowerment – recognizes individual and group contributions, and celebrates accomplishments and encourages others to act and make decisions
  

AUTONOMY

• Enforcement of Policies – uses and upholds rules and guidelines of job, and makes appropriate exceptions when the situation calls for it
• Initiative – demonstrates ability to initiate action and contribute ideas to improve area, and works well with minimal supervision
• Decision Making – displays ability to make good choices, and understand how to use his or her talents and skills to best accomplish tasks
• Problem Solving – deals with unforeseen situations professionally, and is adaptable, flexible, and able to work under conditions of ambiguity
  

MANAGEMENT

• Self-Confidence – maintains and projects an optimistic perspective, and accurately assesses and articulates personal strengths and weaknesses
• Personal Management – manages energy and circumstances to meet deadlines and accomplish specific tasks and outcomes, and manages time effectively
• Personnel Management – clearly communicates individual and group performance expectations, and uses instructive feedback and evaluation in a positive manner.
• Reporting – develops clear and concise reports on status of operation using appropriate language and data and is prompt in submitting reports