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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization 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

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, 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, Written Managing Editor | February 5, 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 17, 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. NIUs 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, 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, 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...

Staff of the Excelleaf recreational cannabis dispensary help out customers during the soft launch. Excelleaf is hosting its grand opening from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at 305 E. Locust St. (Michael Mollsen | Northern Star)

DeKalb’s first recreational cannabis dispensary opens Friday

By Michael Mollsen, Written Managing Editor | November 30, 2023

DeKALB – Smoke weed everyday, or whatever Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg said. Excelleaf, DeKalb’s first recreational cannabis dispensary, will be soon hosting its upcoming grand opening. Excelleaf, 305 E. Locust St., opens its doors for its grand opening...

Altgeld Hall sits under a cloudy sky. NIU has requested for $116 million in an appropriations request. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU requests $116 million from state to fund operating costs

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | November 27, 2023

DeKALB – NIU requested $116.4 million in state funding at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on Nov. 9.  This comes after NIU’s CFO George Middlemist announced a multi-year budget plan to reduce NIU’s $32 million deficit in early November. The...

Students walk out of an NIU bus while it’s snowing. El Nino, a weather phenomena, can cause warmer and drier conditions during the winter. (Gabby Crabtree | Northern Star)

Prepare for winter despite El Nino

By Michael Mollsen, Written Managing Editor | November 26, 2023

DeKALB – “Warmer” and “drier” are adjectives better suited to the summer season, but they will now also apply to the coming winter. In a recent three month outlook, an El Nino winter has been predicted in Illinois with a higher probability...

A bottle of Aveeno body lotion sits with wads of tissue scattered on a nightstand. NIU students discuss their thoughts on No Nut November. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

No Nut November: Resist the urge

By Brandon Clark and Michael Mollsen | November 7, 2023

DeKALB – Men, it’s time to put away your socks and release your joysticks – No Nut November is upon us. No Nut November is a challenge in which participants attempt to refrain from orgasming during November. The challenge started as a parody...