Niner Nation Week is Here, Celebrate Homecoming at Alumni-owned Businesses and more

October 13, 2025
Categories: Niner Insider

Celebrate Niner Nation Week at Niner-owned Businesses

Niner Nation Week is here, and alumni-owned businesses are stepping up with exclusive menus, discounts and giveaways to help Niners celebrate! Explore exclusive perks and celebrate these alumni-owned businesses all week.

  • Gear Up: 704 Shop dropped Homecoming apparel; CLT Fan Creations is offering 25% off 3D-printed keepsakes; Greek Letter Co. has created a new green and gold marble tee licensed for all Niner Greek orgs.
  • Take a Bite: Get deals and Charlotte-themed menu items at Boardwalk Billy’s, Sabor Latin Street Grill, King of Fire Pizza and more.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Academic Affairs Weekly News Digest: The Free Expression and Constructive Dialogue Task Force is offering five $1,000 mini-grants for the 2025-26 academic year. Learn about the grants, along with other important updates, in this week’s news digest.
  • Open Enrollment Starts Today: Open enrollment is officially underway for benefits-eligible employees and will continue through Friday, Oct. 31. Make sure you make elections in both platforms and save a copy of your elections.
  • Required IT Training: Full- and part-time faculty and staff have three days left to complete the IT security training. This required training, due Friday, Oct. 17, takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Student workers and temporary employees, including adjunct faculty, will be assigned the training Thursday, Oct. 16.
  • Atkins Tower Update: The completion timeframe for the Atkins Library tower project has been extended through fall 2026.

what you need to know: students

  • Cast Your Vote for the Golden Niner: Meet the Niner 9 and vote for the Golden Niner before Wednesday, Oct. 15, at vote.charlotte.edu. The Golden Niner will be announced during halftime of the Homecoming game vs. Temple, Saturday, Oct. 18.
  • RA Applications Open: 2026-27 resident advisor applications are open until 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 2. Learn more about the position and how to apply.
  • Atkins Tower Update: The completion timeframe for the Atkins Library tower project has been extended to fall 2026.
  • MHFA Training: Mental Health First-Aid Training introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental illnesses and substance abuse. The next virtual student MHFA sessions are from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 23.

the difference is charlotte

Gleezy Dog

From the PGA Tour to local clubhouses and Harris Teeter grocery stores, Bryce Rech ’05 and partners are transforming hot dogs into a premium culinary experience with their company, Gleezy. Read about this Niner’s mouth-watering journey of entrepreneurship.

upcoming events: students

Homecoming Carnival

Celebrate Niner Nation Week at the Homecoming Carnival at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at the CHHS/CoEd Plaza! Don’t miss out on free T-shirts and tote bags, a money-grab machine, inflatables, food, music and more. Plus, door prizes and a cash prize are available for the student organization with the highest turnout.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • Hip-Hop Symposium: The College of Arts + Architecture Dance Department is hosting “To the Beat Y’all” a symposium that will explore hip-hop as a catalyst for research, education and social change through performances, panels and dialogue, Oct. 17-19.
  • AI Ethics Lecture: Sylvester Johnson, a professor at Northwestern University, will examine the future intersection of AI and human engineering in “Governing the Ethical Future of AI: Automation, Humanity and Democracy” at 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20, in Atkins Library, Halton Reading Room.
  • 49er Mart Users: Attend a virtual forum from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23. Registration is encouraged on the learning and development portal, and more information is on the 49er Mart message board.
  • Career Success Workshop: Faculty at any career stage are invited to a workshop on career success and planning strategies for community-engaged faculty from 12:30 to 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, in Sycamore Hall, Room 306. The session covers strategies for a sustainable academic career, including community-engaged research and teaching.
  • Mentor Training Session: Charlotte’s mentor training is based on the curriculum developed by the Center for the Improved Mentor Experience in Research. Register to attend “Aligning Expectations and Assessing Understanding,” from 1 to 3:15 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27, in Atkins Library, Room 146.

to-do list: faculty and staff

to-do list: students

  • Take This Dining Survey: Your feedback on campus dining is needed. Take this survey by Friday, Oct. 31, for a chance to win free Chick-fil-A for a month.
  • Celebrate Homecoming: Check out the full list of Niner Nation Week events and show off your Niner pride this week! 
  • Submit Events: Spring Gold Rush will take place Jan. 12-16. The deadline for student organizations to submit events is Friday, Nov. 14.