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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

Shaan Keswani, a graduate student studying pre-medicine, walks down the sidewalk Monday through MLK Commons. A winter weather advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Tuesday. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Winter weather advisory, NIU moves to virtual operations

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | January 22, 2024

Editor’s note: This article was last updated at 5:38 a.m. to include NIU’s announcement of switching to virtual operations. A winter weather advisory for Northern Illinois is in effect until 9 a.m. Tuesday. There will be periods of freezing...

Senior biochemistry major Konur Kivisto (left), freshman computer science major Jakob Kasarcik and sophomore finance major Ryan Kramer play chess Tuesday at the Spring Involvement Fair. The fair was the first of many events happening at NIU this semester. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Upcoming events, spring semester 2024

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | January 18, 2024

DeKALB – In the coming months of the spring semester, students can expect an abundance of events, from campfires to graduations. 2024-2025 FAFSA Completion Workshop will occur at 2 p.m. on Jan. 30 in Room 100 at Peters Campus Life Building. ...

Financial aid coordinator Sadie Barge sits behind a desk Tuesday in the lobby of NIU's Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. The office offers support for the newly-simplified FAFSA application that opened with the new year. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

FAFSA updated for 2024-2025

By Gabby Crabtree, Former News Editor | January 18, 2024

DeKALB – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2024-2025 is expected to be different from previous years with changes to length, what is taken into consideration and family assists.  FAFSA is an application for students to fill out...

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, Former 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...

NIU's 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 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...

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, Former 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, Former 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. 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....

Freshman political science major Samantha Mostaert plays with kinetic sand at the Stress Less Zone on the first floor of the Founders Memorial Library. NIU's 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...