Flavors of the Week ranks events in and around the NIU community in accordance with scoops of ice cream. One scoop is given to the least extreme event, with three scoops being given to the most extreme, stand-out event. These events can be positive or negative, but all, in a ny case, warrant a mention.

One scoop: High School Musical 3

Stop trying to market to the mass public. The title itself informs moviegoers that if they’re past their high school years, to spend their ticket money on something more fulfilling for the older audience. I don’t care if the movie has grown up. It’s great it’s doing well in the box office; yay for celebrity paychecks. I, however, don’t want to see it. Stop trying to tell me that I do.

Two scoops: The press on the Jennifer Hudson story

As a member of the media, I understand the need to get comments from those involved in a story. However, when the story deals with a celebrity losing three family members, the media also needs to step off. Is it really in the public’s interest to harass someone when they’ve just had three deaths in their family? Just because she’s a public figure does not mean she’s exempt from the common laws of courtesy paid to private figures in times of tragedy. Do your job the best you can, but don’t forget to be a person first.

Three scoops: Shooting at Central Arkansas

If anyone understands the tension and anxiety on a campus after a shooting, its the NIU community. According to an Associated Press article, two students were killed and a non-student was wounded after a late-night shooting Sunday night. Keep Central Arkansas in your thoughts.