For many students, this orientation issue of the Northern Star is your first experience with the student-run newspaper in DeKalb.

As the editor in chief, I oversee more than 200 employees, ranging from reporters, to cartoonist, to ad reps, to designers and photographers.

Though these employees are the backbone of the newspaper’s daily output, the heart and soul of our product is you – the students and the town where you will spend at least nine months a year during your life as a Huskie. Without news to cover and a loyal readership, our work would fall on blind eyes.

The Star has been my life during my three years here, and though I know it will not affect most of you on the level it has me, I hope some will find it as interesting a career builder as I have. For those not interested in the paper, I can only urge you to find something during your stay to occupy your time.

I will, however, give you a crash course on what will hopefully become your primary source of news.

What is the Northern Star?

It is the official student-run newspaper on campus. The paper began in 1899 and hasn’t missed a beat. Because we don’t accept any student fees and are entirely self-funded by our advertising department, we are able to cover the campus and surrounding town area in as unbiased a way as possible.

The paper publishes five days a week, each week of the semester. During the summer months, we slim down and put out a weekly paper.

What is so great about the Star?

Your first experience with the paper comes at a very exciting time. Recently, we received second place in the general excellence category from the Illinois College Press Association ahead of schools like Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Illinois State and Southern Illinois. Also, last fall our the paper was awarded best of show by the Associated College Press. In addition to numerous individual awards, our online, entertainment, editorial, sports and advertising sections have recently all received top prizes from ICPA.

This also marks the third year of our Internet radio station, NS*Radio. Since last fall, the station has nearly tripled its staff and grown to include remote broadcasts at sporting events and other news events around campus. You can access the station online at www.nsradio.com.

Where can I pick some up?

According to market surveys, almost 90 percent of NIU students read the paper daily.

Which makes sense, considering the Star circulates 16,000 newspapers on campus and around DeKalb and Sycamore. Just look for the bins around most corners, doorways and halls throughout campus.

Also, if you want to save some recycled paper, check out our Web site, www.northernstar.info, which contains a plethora of material not in our printed pages.

How can I join?

The Northern Star office is located in the Campus Life Building, suite 130.

Though we have two advisers, ultimately all decisions are made by our student-only staff.

We are always looking for people interested in advertising, billing, photography, web design, editorial columns, cartoons, public relations, technical support and copy editing. All majors and minors are welcome.

If reporting is your forte, feel free to apply for our entertainment, campus, metro or sports departments.

Good Luck

Good luck during your next four … or five … or six … or seven … (maybe your parents shouldn’t read this part) years here at NIU, and I look forward to bringing you the news.