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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 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 Editor | 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...

Speaker Cole Hensley speaks at Friday’s State of the SGA Address. Hensley noted the SGA’s approval of 22 organizations this year as one of their achievements. (Michael Mollsen | Northern Star)

First State of the SGA, No attendees

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | February 4, 2024

DeKALB – The Student Government Associations’s 8 minute and 35 second long State of the SGA Address took place Friday, where the SGA expressed some of their achievements to no students. The State of the SGA, according to their one Instagram post,...

A road closed sign sits surrounded by snow. University Council at 3 p.m. Jan. 31 discussed 10-day enrollment and the Normal Road closure. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Spring enrollment sees minimal changes

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | January 31, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s 10-day enrollment report made small impacts at the University Council meeting Wednesday.  Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Laurie Eilish-Piper in place of President Lisa Freeman shared the enrollment statistics for the...

A copy of “Cassell’s New Latin Dictionary” sits on the top shelf in the language and literature section on the third floor of Founder’s Memorial Library. Latin was last taught at NIU in the spring of 2022. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU confirms retired languages: Latin and Chinese

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | January 30, 2024

DeKALB – Latin is often thought of as a dead language due to its limited usage in the 21st century, but at NIU Latin has been dead for two years. While it still makes its appearances in classic literature and medical and law terminology, Google adds...

A board sits outside NIU’s Recreation Center locker rooms stating they are closed for remodel. The Recreation Center locker rooms are receiving $1.37 million renovation. (Sarah Rose | Northern Star)

Student Recreation Center gets revamped

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | January 28, 2024

DeKALB – If you have experienced long lines waiting for a bathroom at NIU’s Recreation Center, expect to wait a little longer.  The first phase of renovations to the Recreation Center’s locker rooms is already underway with an expected completion...

A communal bathroom sits empty on the second floor of Neptune Hall West. Neptune experienced an issue with a boiler valve resulting in a lack of hot water. (Northern Star File Photo)

Neptune residents start semester without hot water

By Rachel Cormier and Michael Mollsen | January 16, 2024

DeKALB — A cold splash of reality brought Neptune East and West residents back from winter break when they were met with ice cold showers the weekend before the spring semester. Students reported freezing cold shower and sink temperatures as early...

A blanket of snow covers the ground outside Altgeld Hall. NIU's campus operations will be virtual Friday Jan. 12 due to hazardous weather. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU’s campus moves to virtual operations Friday

By Gabby Crabtree, Former News Editor | January 11, 2024

Editor's note: The article was last updated at 3:30 p.m. to clarify that while some buildings are closed, services are still available for students virtually.   DeKALB– Due to extreme weather conditions, NIU’s campus will be virtual from 8 a.m....

Center for Black Studies Associate Director of Academics Ajewole Duckett, Ph.D. reads a libation statement. Duckett requested participants echo “ashay” every time she said it in the statement. (Gabby Crabtree | Northern Star)

Center for Black Studies brings taste of culture with Pre-Kwanzaa

By Gabby Crabtree, Former News Editor | December 8, 2023

DeKALB – Community, culture and consideration are all words that were felt during the annual Pre-Kwanzaa event. The event was held by the Center for Black Studies 6 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Holmes Student Center Capitol Room. Kwanzaa is a seven day...