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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

Trumpeters will be working with Christopher Scanlon, Pharez Whitted, Tom Bough on “Trumpet Day” at NIU on Nov. 19.

School of Music creates 5 committees to increase diversity in curriculum

By Jamie O'Toole | February 5, 2021

DeKALB – Music Education major Kee Taylor published a petition calling for more support for Black, Indigenous and people of color at the NIU School of Music, but it has not received any attention from the School of Music. However, five committees have...

Black Male Initiative is a program a part of the Center for Black Studies. Black Male Initiative is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Center for Black Studies celebrates 50 years

By Kierra Frazier | February 4, 2021

DeKALB – In the midst of the Civil Rights Movement in 1968, when leaders who fought for racial justice such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated, students sought action from university officials for racial equality.  “The...

Once the eviction moratorium is lifted, a year’s worth of prevented evictions may all occur in one day.

Landlords, tenants struggle under COVID-19 eviction moratorium

By Greg Gancarz | February 3, 2021

DeKalb – Governor J.B. Pritzker’s extension of an eviction moratorium until this Saturday continues to protect individuals who meet certain criteria. However, the Pritzker administration has proposed no solutions for tenants who are set to eventually...

International students face financial hardships amid COVID-19

By Ashley Dwy | February 1, 2021

DeKALB – COVID-19 has put many people out of a job. The unemployment rate in 2020 climbed to 14.7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. International students, whose visas require them to work on campus, have also struggled to earn money because...

The 10-day count of enrollment for this spring was 15,216 students, a drop of 1.3% from Spring 2020.

NIU sees 1.3% decrease in enrollment from Spring 2020

By Kierra Frazier | January 29, 2021

DeKALB – Total enrollment has fallen by 203 students from the Spring 2020 semester, according to data released Friday.  The 10-day count of enrollment for this spring was 15,216 students, a drop of 1.3% from Spring 2020. Total enrollment is down...

NIU street banner

NIU receives $23.7 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds

By Kierra Frazier | January 28, 2021

DeKALB – NIU has received $23.7 million as a result of a second stimulus package in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The university is allocating $7.4 million directly toward grants for students, said Sarah Chinniah, vice president and...

The Huskie Line buses can be a good way to the most traveled places on campus.

Bus driver shortage, COVID-19 lead to reduced Huskie Line service

By Elisa Reamer | January 27, 2021

DeKALB – The Huskie Line route system is working on a reduced schedule until Feb. 14 due to a bus driver shortage. As a result, the DeKalb Public Transit is working with Transdev Services Inc. to find a solution to this shortage as soon as possible.  The...

DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith partakes in the City Council meeting at DeKalb Public Library on July 27th.

Smith cautions residents as DeKalb moves to Phase 4 mitigations

By Kierra Frazier | January 26, 2021

DeKALB – Mayor Jerry Smith advised residents at Monday’s City Council meeting to “be careful” as DeKalb County moves out to Tier 1 mitigations and into Phase 4, which allows for more indoor dining. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced...

Icy tree on NIU campus post winter storm.

Winter storm warning issued for DeKalb County

By Northern Star Staff | January 25, 2021

DeKalb – A winter storm is on the way for the DeKalb area, with heavy snow expected by late Monday afternoon. A winter storm warning issued for northern Illinois from the National Weather Service is in effect from 1 p.m. Monday to noon Tuesday. Weather...

Blackboard, Microsoft Teams and Office365 tools  are being used for today's current online classes.

University to conduct review of Blackboard Learn

By Kierra Frazier | January 21, 2021

DeKALB – The university could be splitting ways with its current learning management system, Blackboard Learn, as a task force has been established to conduct an evaluation on the system with input from faculty and students. The task force, established...

A pick-up order table stands near the door in Cast Iron Coffee in June.

DeKalb moves into Tier 1, allows for limited indoor dining

By Kierra Frazier | January 19, 2021

DeKALB – Following nearly four months of no indoor dining, Region 1 has met requirements to move into Tier 1, according to a Monday Illinois Department of Public Health news release.  Region 1 includes Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle,...

Gov. JB Pritzker gives an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois during a press conference at the Illinois State Capitol on Jan. 11.

Pritzker moves Region 1 to Tier 2 COVID-19 restrictions

By Kierra Frazier | January 15, 2021

DeKALB – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday that three regions will move from Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions to Tier 2 effective immediately.  Regions 1, 2 and 5 will move from Tier 3 to Tier 2. The move to Tier 2 includes the return of group...