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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

A car drives across the Lucinda Avenue bridge. The Lucinda bridge is closed down until June for construction. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Lucinda Avenue bridge closed for construction

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Editor-in-Chief | January 17, 2024

Editor's note: This article was updated Jan. 23 to clarify the Lucinda Avenue bridge is nearing the end of it's life cycle and ready for an update. DeKALB – The city of DeKalb has decided to close the Lucinda Avenue bridge for construction. A detour...

NIUs Latino Center stands surrounded by leafless trees. NIU is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution meeting many of the requirements. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU to become Hispanic Serving Institution

By Rachel Cormier and Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon | January 17, 2024

DeKALB – NIU is on the path to becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution. The university currently holds the title of an emerging HSI and a few more steps must be completed before it receives the official HSI title.  An HSI is an institution with...

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...

An NIU Police car sits empty Monday in front of the on-campus department. In December, NIU Police Department responded to multiple crimes. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU crime log, December 2023

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Editor-in-Chief | January 16, 2024

DeKALB – The information in this report is compiled from the NIU Police Department’s Daily Crime Log. Any case defined as “unfounded” was not included in this list. Any case “closed by exception” means the case is closed due to circumstances...

Freshman computer science major Sebastian Santellanes pushes a dorm move-in cart down the icy sidewalk Monday toward the southern entrance of Stevenson Towers. As classes begin Tuesday, the National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory and expects a high temperature of minus 2 degrees on the first day back. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU students bundle up and move in

By Gabby Crabtree, News Editor | January 16, 2024

DeKALB – NIU students and families braved the cold weather to move into residence halls for the spring semester over the weekend. Friday, all residence halls opened for students to move in, whether it was new students joining for the spring semester...

Duke Ellington Ballroom is filled with different tables and students learning about different organizations at NIU. The Involvement Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on January 17th and 18th in the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.  (Cheyanne Quintanilla | Northern Star)

NIU to hold its Spring Involvement Fair

By Victoria Wakeford, News Reporter | January 16, 2024

DeKALB -  The first week of the spring semester brings the 2024 Spring Involvement Fair, which will be lined up with many organizations looking to reach out to NIU students.  The Spring Involvement Fair will be held from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday...

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....

Freshman political science major Samantha Mostaert plays with kinetic sand at the Stress Less Zone on the first floor of the Founders Memorial Library. NIUs Counseling and Consultation services advises students to practice destressing activities during finals week. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Destressing before the test

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | December 10, 2023

DeKALB – The words “finals are coming up” can fill students with a sense of relief that the semester is over or a sense of dread at exams that can make or break their grade. Toward the end of the year, NIU Counseling and Consultation Services...

A display case with a mannequin and banner from First Nations Native Alliance displays Native agriculture and food from the “Good Food” exhibit in Cole Hall. NIU’s Land Acknowledgement recognizes the original Indigenous populations that inhabited the land NIU stands on. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU’s land acknowledgement, explained

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | December 10, 2023

DeKALB – Before every play, concert or official university meeting at NIU starts, students and staff hear a statement read aloud. In less than 30 seconds but in distinct succession, a speaker acknowledges that “we,” the university or the individuals...

How to read TLDR (Dec. 8)

By Northern Star Editorial Board | December 8, 2023

If you are having issues finding today’s edition of TLDR, click this link: https://mailchi.mp/bf930a48b359/building-and-dining-services-concerned-with-working-conditions The Northern Star has been having on-and-off issues with its daily newsletter...

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...

Altgeld Hall stands in the distance on a clear snowy day. Campus Dining Services and Building Services workers voiced their concerns during the public comment section of the Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 7. (Northern Star File Photo)

AFSCME Local 963 voices concern for working conditions

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | December 8, 2023

DeKALB – Disappointed public comments from staff of Campus Dining Services and Building Services started Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting. Manny Diaz, a building service worker, took to the mic to protest a denied request to stay as a custodial...