Northern Star

Transportation Woes

By Nikki Caiafa | February 23, 2006

In freezing winter weather, the last thing most students want to do is wait outside for the bus.

And wait they will. Due to costs, no additional buses will be added to the current lineup. But with 14 buses circling the campus, waiting on a bus or being packed in with 50 other students is inevitable.

Buses are scheduled to be about 20 minutes apart and drivers go through immense training, said John Roach, Huskie Bus safety coordinator.

But on days when it's cold, and at certain times when many students have classes, the buses are bound to be crowded.

When many students get on at one stop, it takes longer for the bus to complete a route and the other buses easily catch up to it, Roach said.

When buses are supposed to come 15 minutes after each other, they can end up coming right after one another with one of them generally more crowded.

"If a bus is crowded, the guy being followed must keep going, and the guys behind him should drag their feet and pick up the other people," Roach said.

Huskie Bus drivers try to accommodate as many students without overcrowding the bus.

"I don't want to be mean, but I can't fit anymore people," said Dennis Bell, a Huskie Bus driver. He said the drivers try to work together to help keep the system running smoothly. They use walkie-talkies to communicate and when one bus becomes crowded the others in that route try to pick up the slack.

"I usually try to get a ride instead," said Heidi Stanke, a sophomore English major.

Stanke, who sometimes takes the number 3 bus, said often the buses are crowded, but it's not unbearable. The worst part, she said, is waiting for the bus in the cold.

Both Roach and Bell said they don't get much criticism about overcrowding.

Roach said students should try to catch the bus earlier to avoid overcrowding and being late to class.

Job fair attracts current, former students

By Nikki Caiafa | February 23, 2006

Although Jon Harnick graduated from NIU with a degree in sociology, it didn't stop him from coming back to the Spring Job Fair Wednesday at the Convocation Center. "NIU wants you to find a job. It makes them look good," Harnick said. Harnick was one of...

The changing face of advertising

By Tim Scordato | February 22, 2006

We live in the golden age of advertisements. Never before have so many venues for product-slinging been available. Advertisers have taken advantage of nearly everything — phones, the Internet, television, billboards and even bodies. Ad experts and consumers...

Student groups team for open forum

By Tara Snowden | February 22, 2006

OPEN FORUM: ‘WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?: AN AGENDA FOR TODAY'S AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS' [02.21.06] "We wanted to examine what are some steps that we can take in our own lives, in our own busy lives to have a positive impact here on the campus of NIU."...

Apple brings demo to University Bookstore

By Christopher Norman | February 22, 2006

Twenty-five thousand students. Impossibly close. iUniversity Bookstore? Apple, the company responsible for iPods, iMacs and everything starting with a lower case i, is setting up a demonstration center in the University Bookstore in the Holmes Student...

Grading scale still a debate among faculty

By Michelle Gilbert | February 22, 2006

Thirty-five years in the making, some NIU faculty have been campaigning to change the grading system. The issue has been debated for years, but no official changes in the grading scale have been made. Calling for a change "After studying the issue during...

Students prepare for real deal

By Nikki Caiafa | February 22, 2006

Today's spring Job Fair will attract 217 employers, giving it the highest turnout in four years. The event will take place at the Convocation Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and students are encouraged to arrive early. "I would encourage students to go...

Journalist, activist inspires at Holmes Student Center

By Michelle Gilbert | February 21, 2006

Comical, serious and classy Kevin Powell, a journalist and activist, spoke Monday night in the Holmes Student Center's Capitol Room. He discussed a variety of topics ranging from Hurricane Katrina to his hip-hop upbringing. While September 11, 2001 was...

Keeping kids in the right lane

By Jake Miller | February 21, 2006

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of DeKalb County kicked off its annual Bowl for Kid's Sake fundraiser at the Holmes Student Center's Huskies Den Monday night. The event, which has been a staple in DeKalb County for close to 25 years, began yesterday at 9...

College of Business names dean

By Michelle Gilbert | February 21, 2006

After almost 22 years at NIU, Bill Tallon will leave his position as interim dean of the College of Business. Marketing department chair Denise Schoenbachler will succeed him in the position. "[Schoenbachler] is a good leader, I think that's why she was...

Sifting Out the Trash

By Kenneth Lowe | February 21, 2006

A dirty napkin or broken bottle no longer spoils an entire recycling bin, thanks to a new process implemented by Waste Management, the company that handles NIU's trash and recycling. The Building Services Management Team discussed new recycling program...

Democrats vs. Republicans: The Great Debate

By Desiree Smith and Molly Thurber | February 21, 2006

There was much head-shaking, murmuring and eye-rolling amongst College Democrats and College Republicans in a debate held Monday night in the Holmes Student Center's Heritage Room. Weaknesses in parties, deficit issues, textbook prices and school vouchers...

Northern Star

Northern Star

Northern Star

Northern Star

Sign In

Register

Reset Password