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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

Gino Chavez, a senior marketing major, stands and smiles in a green sweater. Chavez was the winner of the Northern Stars Big Game contest. (Angelina Padilla-Tompkins | Northern Star)

NIU student wins Northern Star’s ‘Big Game’ contest

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Editor-in-Chief | February 15, 2024

Gino Chavez, a senior marketing major, predicted the winning team of Super Bowl LVIII and his predicted score was one point off for each team.  Chavez believed the Kansas City Chiefs would win over the San Francisco 49ers 24-21. Sunday, the Chiefs...

Students sit at a table and write on colorful sheets of paper. Mindfulness and You is held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Wednesday in the HSC Illinois Room for students to feel more motivated and calm. (Hannah Soukup | Northern Star)

NIU’s Mindfulness and You to host weekly motivational events

By Hannah Soukup, Assistant News Editor | February 14, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s Mindfulness and You event conducts weekly relaxation exercises hosted in the Holmes Student Center’s Illinois Room. Attendees can join virtually as well. The group started fall 2022 and provides 12 mindfulness sessions throughout...

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,...

Barsema Hall stands with a sign reading, “College of Business.” NIU’s De La Vega Innovation Lab will host the annual De La Vega Innovation Lab Pitch Competition from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 20 at Barsema Hall. (Totus Tuus Keeley | Northern Star)

Second annual De La Vega Pitch Competition to happen

By Victoria Wakeford, News Reporter | February 14, 2024

DeKALB- The De La Vega Innovation Lab is hosting the second annual De La Vega Innovation Lab Pitch Competition for NIU students to gain experience in creating and growing a business of their own. From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 20, the De La Vega Innovation...

Multiple different foods sit on a counter with a Mardi Gras table cloth. NIU Dining Services put on a Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday lunch. (Victoria Wakeford | Northern Star)

A taste of Mardi Gras at Holmes

By Gabby Crabtree and Victoria Wakeford | February 14, 2024

DeKALB – The Grill brought a Mardi Gras celebration to NIU with food, crafts and a photo booth available for students on Fat Tuesday. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Huskie Den, The Grill had a special menu including a Cajun chicken rice wrap,...

Three students stand at podiums talking and gesturing. SGA’s meeting on Friday reduced the number of students required in club, mandated training for club leaders and had an incident with a senator bringing in food. (Northern Star Graphic)

SGA lowers club member requirement

By Michael Mollsen, Written Managing Editor | February 12, 2024

DeKALB – The required number of students to start a club has been officially reduced to three students from the previous five after a resolution was passed at SGA’s senate meeting Friday. “We believe it's a better number since as Sergeant-At-Arms...

A phone lays on a table, open to the NIU Safe app main page. NIU has modified the criteria for what crimes are considered for a safety alert. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

What’s up With: NIU Safety Notifications?

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | February 12, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s Safety Notifications have decreased exponentially. Weekly notifications of “shots fired” and “stabbings” have gone down to only five safety alerts for the entire 2023-2024 school year. Students are wondering if crime has indeed...

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 Reporter | 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...

Dr. Laurence Lurio, a physics professor, works at his desk. NIU is piloting a Blackboard program that allows NIU staff and faculty to use AI to assist in designing coursework. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Artificial Intelligence assisting professors

By Kayla Martin, News Reporter | February 8, 2024

DeKALB – Artificial Intelligence is beginning to enter Blackboard for professors with monthly updates from the website to turn time-consuming tasks into time-efficient tasks.  Northern Illinois University's professors and students use the Blackboard...

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...

An NIU Police car sits empty in front of the on-campus department. Crimes including mob action and aggravated battery were reported in Jan. 2024 on NIUs campus. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU crime log, January 2024

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Editor-in-Chief | February 6, 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...

A banner reading “HAPPY NEW YEAR” hangs on a column in the Asian American Resource Center. The 2024 Lunar New Year is Saturday and NIU’s Asian American Resource Center is celebrating this week. (Kayla Martin | Northern Star)

Roaring into 2024 with the year of the dragon

By Kayla Martin, News Reporter | February 6, 2024

DeKALB – The Lunar New Year is coming up Saturday as the year of the dragon, with different celebrations happening around campus originating at the Asian American Resource Center.  The Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated by billions of people...