The Northern Star is the voice of students, but the perspective section is unique in that unlike the news section that must be completely unbias, the perspective section allows students and faculty to comment on the news. The perspective section will remain an open forum for students, faculty and other members of the DeKalb community to discuss issues that stand out to them and hopefully inspire change.

My goal this semester is still to maintain the section as an outlet for students to give and discuss their opinions on topics that concern them the most. However, this being my fourth semester working at the Northern Star, I have come to realize it is easy to fall into a routine and end up reporting on the same topics without considering new angles.

For this reason, I intend to push my columnists to not be afraid to clearly state their opinions even if others may not agree. In fact, so long as these opinions are well supported by facts and reliable sources, I think they will encourage students to debate and even become more involved with topics that concern the NIU community. Some issues such as changes in Student Association policy and increases in parking permit prices have many different, possible angles. Columnists will be sure to consider all sides when presenting a solution to the problems they believe should be addressed.

Editorials, written as the collective voice of the Northern Star Editorial Board, will be published weekly as they were last spring semester. In editorial discussions, the board strongly considers ways in which the Northern Star can provide effective critiques and suggestions for improvement to NIU administration and other governing bodies and organizations throughout the NIU and DeKalb communities.

I cannot emphasize enough how important and essential Letters to the Editor are to the perspective section. If a student does not agree with the opinion presented in a column or would like to add to what was said, a Letter to the Editor is the chance for them to give that feedback. While I welcome the opinions of my staff and other Northern Star employees, Letters to the Editor allow students without any experience in journalism to still have their opinions published. Also, I would like students to use Letters to the Editor as an opportunity to respond to the content published in the Northern Star. Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words and should include author’s year and major or faculty position.

Email [email protected] or go to NorthernStar.info to submit a Letter to the Editor.