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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

 The NIU sign and Holmes Student Center on a snowy afternoon in MLK Commons. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Faculty Senate update on ChatGPT, rising graduation fee

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | February 22, 2023

DeKALB – During the second Faculty Senate meeting of the year, attendees gave an update on the use of ChatGPT in classrooms along with a change in the graduation fee. ChatGPT is an AI technology system originally designed to mimic human responses...

People hanging around at a train station with Mission III waiting outside the Metra train. The discussion to extend the line to DeKalb has circulated more than once.

Editorial: The Metra in DeKalb, a no-brainer

By Northern Star Editorial Board | February 19, 2023

The DeKalb City Council’s recent approval of a transportation study will determine if the Union Pacific West Metra line should extend to DeKalb. The answer seems clear: The train line’s extension would be beneficial to NIU and its student population. A...

Altgeld Hall was built on June 10, 1896, and is home to the Board of Trustees' room. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

Pritzker moves to increase MAP grants in FY24 budget

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | February 16, 2023

DeKALB – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced in the annual State of the State Address that there will be an increase in higher education funding and the Monetary Award Program (MAP) in his proposed fiscal year 2024 budget. During a live broadcast of the...

NIU President Lisa Freeman hugging Patrick Korellis (left) and Harold Ng, two surviving victims of the Valentine's Day shooting that took place in 2008 within Cole Hall, at the 15-year anniversary "Forward Together Forward" memorial for the victims this afternoon at the Peaceful Reflection Garden outside of Cole Hall. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU continues to stand forward, together

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | February 14, 2023

DeKALB – The NIU community stood together in remembrance of the students who were killed 15 years ago. Tuesday’s vigil also came less than 24 hours after a fatal mass shooting on the campus of Michigan State University. On Feb. 14, 2008, five NIU...

NIU hockey poses with Santa during a postgame skate with the team after its 5-3 win over McKendree University on Dec. 3. (Photo courtesy of NIU hockey)

NIU hockey high effort, low profile, all heart

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | February 8, 2023

DeKALB – NIU Athletics is a staple of the university’s identity, with students and fans enjoying time with their friends and seizing an opportunity to watch high-quality athletes represent the school. NCAA college athletes at NIU go through rigorous...

The recently approved building for Excelleaf Dispensary sits vacant on Tuesday afternoon at 305 E. Locust St. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Dispensary gains approval for downtown DeKalb location

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | February 7, 2023

DeKALB – The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission approved the special permit for the location of a cannabis dispensary, Excelleaf Dispensary, at a public hearing. The dispensary location was approved for downtown DeKalb at 305 E. Locust St, formerly...

The Holmes Student Center stands beyond the Balance of Equality statue on a chilly winter day in MLK Commons. The 4.2% decrease in graduate enrollment between spring 2023 and spring 2024 is negatively impactful. (Northern Star File Photo)

Enrollment: Fewer students, increased first-year retention

By Bridgette Fox and Evan Mellon | February 4, 2023

DeKALB – Data released by NIU shows enrollment numbers have continued to drop, but the amount of students staying for another semester has increased. THE NUMBERS BREAKDOWN Spring 2023 total enrollment hosts 14,364 students, 237 fewer students...

NIU senior guard Kaleb Thornton (3) jukes past Ball State senior guard Demarius Jacobs (1) on Jan. 30. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Huskies best Broncos in balanced performance

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | January 31, 2023

A complete game from the Huskies on both sides of the ball helped NIU defeat Western Michigan University in a road conference victory. While NIU only compiled three double-digit scoring efforts from its starters, role players contributed to the Huskies’...

Mission III, the newest addition to the Huskie pack, walking around and meeting the NIU community for the first time on Friday at the Holmes Student Center. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Continuing the Mission legacy with Mission III

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | January 27, 2023

DeKALB – Say hello to the newest member of our pack, Mission III. Mission III’s introduction was met with awe from the crowd as he said hello with some energetic barks.  This three-month-old pup was introduced to the public at noon Friday in the...

An automated machine that separates out wastewater samples for the NIU Covid-19 surveillance lab to test for traces of the virus. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Wastewater screening indicates campus COVID-19 levels

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | January 26, 2023

DeKALB – Although students are no longer required by NIU to screen for COVID-19, wastewater screening shows how much of the virus is present at different residence halls – which is a tool for students trying to stay healthy. Barrie Bode, professor...

NIU President Lisa Freeman (center) discussing student involvement in NIU's Greek Life beside Associate Director for Institutional Communications, Joe King, during her meeting with the Northern Star on Monday at her office in Altgeld Hall. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

President Freeman talks tenure changes and more in university goals

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | January 24, 2023

DeKALB – NIU President Lisa Freeman’s university goals, which the Board of Trustees will use to evaluate her performance at the end of 2023, spoke about future standards – including broadening the criteria for tenure. “I think we believe that...

The entrance to Patterson Hall East. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Patterson Hall East flooding incidents yet to be solved

By Colin Kempsell | January 23, 2023

After a year of bursting pipes and collapsed ceilings, Patterson Hall has yet to see a permanent fix for its leaky fire suppression system, leaving some residents to question what will come next. In 2022, Patterson Hall East saw at least three separate...