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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

Two NIU Police officers enter doors to investigate an unverified bomb threat and shooter threat at 8:33 a.m. Barsema Hall, home to NIU’s College of Business was the target of the anonymous threat. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Authorities investigate unfounded threats against NIU, Kent State

By Sean Reed, Photo Editor | February 26, 2024

Editor’s Note: This article was updated at 3 p.m. Monday to include additional information on the ongoing investigation. DeKALB – After investigation from NIU Police, with support from Illinois and federal authorities, the university determined...

A sign reading “245 Student Financial Aid Office” hangs the window outside of the Financial Aid Office. The changes to the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 school year is pushing back the student financial aid packet release date. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Student financial aid offer release delayed

By Kayla Martin, News Reporter | February 26, 2024

DeKALB – With the new updates FAFSA has implemented, student financial aid offers across the country are being delayed.  For the 2024-25 school year and beyond, the U.S. Department of Education updated the FAFSA to create an easier and simpler process...

A poster with a QR code to a petition for an Indigenous Resource Center at NIU hangs up on the bulletin board in Einstein’s Bros. Bagels. The petition lasts until February 29, 2024, and asks NIU to create a resource center to add onto the verbal acknowledgements the college makes. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Students petition for Indigenous Resource Center

By Rachel Cormier and Gabby Crabtree | February 22, 2024

DeKALB – “Let them know we deserve more than a Land Acknowledgement,” was the tagline on posters circulating around campus for a petition to establish an Indigenous Resource Center at NIU. Members of NIU’s sole Indigenous student group, First...

Ke’ra Craig, a first-year theology major, taps her One Card on the card reader to unlock a door to Neptune Hall. On Wednesday, NIU had a software issue causing One Card readers to temporarily stop working. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

OneCard glitch caused lock outs

By Rachel Cormier and Hannah Soukup | February 22, 2024

DeKALB – At around 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, OneCard services across campus shut down, leaving students and faculty stranded outside residence halls and their dorm rooms. Joe King, associate director for institutional communications at NIU, addressed the...

NIU’s Human Resource Center and the DeKalb Water Tower sit brandished with NIU’s logo. The U.S. Geological Survey will relocate to the western part of campus from their current Peace Road location by the end of the semester. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Water research facility coming to campus

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | February 19, 2024

DeKALB – A new facility dedicated to joint water research efforts between Northern Illinois University and the United States Geological Survey is bringing a river of opportunity for students.  The Central Midwest Water Science Center of the USGS is...

Three people stand and gesture while talking at podiums. SGA met on Friday and appointed a new chief of staff, passed a new bill and approved a new club. (Northern Star graphic)

SGA appoints new Chief of Staff

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | February 19, 2024

DeKALB – After three months without a chief of staff, the Student Government Association’s senate voted on senior business major Z’Nyah Johnson. “I think the hardest part was finding someone, just because the chief of staff, you have to have...

The words “BEST OF DEKALB 2024” float between golden brackets. Voting for the 2024 Best of DeKalb is now open. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Best of DeKalb 2024 voting now open

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | February 18, 2024

Best of DeKalb voting for 2024 is now open!  From Monday to Feb. 29 NIU students, faculty and staff, along with DeKalb residents, can vote on their favorite places in 22 categories.  Some of the categories include best bar, best coffee shop, best...

NIU President Lisa Freeman (from left), George Middlemist, vice president and chief financial officer, and Dennis Barsema, board secretary of the NIU Board of Trustees sit at a table during the Feb. 15 Board of Trustees meeting. NIU's Finance, Audit, Compliance, Facilities and Operations committee will discuss NIU's deficit at Thursday's meeting. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU to increase tuition, housing, student health insurance

By Rachel Cormier and Gabby Crabtree | February 16, 2024

DeKALB – While NIU expects a $2 million increase to its now budgeted $33.7 million deficit, the projected 2024 fiscal year deficit could bring the total down. NIU’s Finance, Audit, Compliance, Facilities and Operations Committee met  Thursday to...

Robert Greer (left) and his wife Linda Greer, mother of 2008 shooting victim Daniel Parmenter, walk along the “Forward, Together Forward” memorial garden after the vigil Wednesday near Cole Hall. Parmenter was a sophomore finance major at NIU before his death in 2008. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU stands ‘Forward, Together Forward,’ honors victims of 2008 shooting

By Hannah Soukup, Assistant News Editor | February 14, 2024

DeKALB – NIU honored the victims of the 2008 shooting at 3:06 p.m. Wednesday with a tolling of five bells to represent each life lost 16 years ago. The event took place outside Cole Hall, the building in which the shooting occurred.  On Feb. 14, 2008,...

Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ Donut’s building sits with advertisements for their Valentine’s Day specials hung on their windows. Multiple restaurants in DeKalb are having special deals for Valentine’s Day. (Gabby Crabtree | Northern Star)

Sweet Deals on Valentine’s Day

By Gabby Crabtree, Former News Editor | February 12, 2024

DeKALB – Multiple businesses in DeKalb are taking advantage of Valentine’s Day and are offering special deals to customers and their loved ones. BASKIN-ROBBINS Love Potion #31, a white chocolate and raspberry ice cream with raspberry filled chocolate...

NIU President Lisa Freeman answers a question from Faculty Senate President Ben Creed on the current state of the university’s campus. The address consisted of a conversation between Freeman and Creed and a 10-minute question and answer session. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Freeman touts accomplishments, students protest at State of the University address

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | February 9, 2024

DeKALB – President Lisa Freeman spoke at Thursday’s State of the University, advocating for a push for the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s goals, specifically a push to recruit transfer students. TRANSFER ADMISSIONS Freeman spoke about NIU’s...

MLK Commons sits empty surrounded by leafless trees. NIU’s AIM High Huskie Pledge adjusts a requirement to allow more students to qualify. (Northern Star file photo)

Huskie Pledge to modify gross family income requirements

By Gabby Crabtree, Former News Editor | February 8, 2024

DeKALB – The Huskie Pledge is raising its eligibility requirements to require a gross family income of $75,000 to $100,000 annually starting in the 2024-2025 school year. AIM High Huskie Pledge is a program for Illinois high school seniors that covers...