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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

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 9, 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, 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 NIUs 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...

Rep. Lauren Underwood removes personal protective equipment used to keep the lab sterile after her tour Friday of the space. (Colin Kempsell | Northern Star)

NIU semiconductor lab receives $1.5 million in federal funding

By Colin Kempsell | January 20, 2023

DeKALB – NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology received $1.5 million in federal funds to convert its cleanroom lab into a fabrication lab for microchip research, design and prototyping. The college’s microchip fabrication lab,...

Anne Edwards, former director for the Center for Black Studies, in 2020 thanking everyone who participated in the Art and Soul street painting event.

Center for Black Studies director goes home after 10 years

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | January 17, 2023

After 10 years at NIU, Anne Edwards has left her position as director of the Center for Black Studies to return to her alma mater Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Edwards worked for six years in Career Services at NIU. In 2018, she was...

NIU sophomore guard David Coit celebrates during the Huskies 73-54 victory over Central Michigan University on Tuesday at the NIU Convocation Center. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Coit, Nutter push Huskies past Chips

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | January 11, 2023

DeKALB – Less than a week after the Harlem Globetrotters left the Convocation Center, NIU men’s basketball senior guard Kaleb Thornton did his best on-court Globetrotter impersonation as he scored his final points of Tuesday’s game in unusual fashion. The...

The Mission I bobblehead (left) joins the Mission II bobblehead released in August.

Fetch! Mission I bobbleheads ready for forever homes

By Northern Star Staff | January 6, 2023
NIU's retired canine mascot has made his figurine debut, adding to the world's largest collection of bobbleheads.