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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media 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

Stephen J. Bigolin sits on a park bench on Sept. 20 at Memorial Park in front of the mural facing Lincoln Highway. Bigolin has supported and discovered DeKalb’s local history since he moved to DeKalb in 1967. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

DeKalb historian, Stephen J. Bigolin, receives dedicated day

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | September 22, 2023

DeKALB – Sitting on a park bench in Memorial Park, Stephen J. Bigolin thinks about his birthday. While he’s celebrated many in his time, his 74th will have a special ring for years, knowing that every birthday after will be celebrated by not only...

NIU union members and faculty attend the Board of Trustees meeting Thursday at Altgeld Hall. The board listened to public comment from union members about employee wages at NIU. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Bargain talks continue, unions feel upset

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | September 22, 2023

DeKALB – "For the past three years, I've been employed by NIU. I am a full-time employee in position of office manager,”  said Krystyna Kamka, office manager for the Center of Latino and Latin American Studies. “I make $15.26 an hour. For those...

A screenshot of an NIU student's Blackboard course page. Blackboard Ultra, the updated version of the original, will be the main learning management system for NIU for Spring 2024. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

NIU to switch to Blackboard Ultra

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | September 21, 2023

DeKALB – It may sound like nails on a chalkboard, but teachers are expected to transition all coursework to a new online system by the end of the year. Courseviews for NIU faculty will be shifted over from the current learning management system,...

3 participants play Mario Kart at Monday's Mario Kart Monday. Mario Kart Monday is an event held by Esports at Altgeld Hall. (Northern Star | Cameron Whittington)

NIU students power up at Mario Kart Monday

By Gabby Crabtree, Former News Editor | September 20, 2023

DeKALB – The first Mario Kart Monday event of the year allowed students to slam the breaks on stress and hit the gas toward some fun.  All NIU Students who enjoy playing Mario Kart are welcome to join Mario Kart Mondays in Altgeld Hall, Room 100...

Pajamas “PJ” the possum being held by his owner Sara Plettau in Sept. 2022 in front of the Founders Memorial Library. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU mourns Pajamas the possum’s death

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | September 20, 2023

DeKALB – A cloudy morning reflects the devastating news of Pajamas “PJ” the possum’s passing.  The beloved possum died Thursday after suffering from an unexpected illness the previous week.  Owners Sara Plettau and her partner Leah Zielinski...

Carol Sumner, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leans on a tree outside. Sumner was hired in the summer, and explained her plans for DEI at NIU. (Courtesy of Carol Sumner)

Sumner aims to strengthen recognition of diversity

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | September 20, 2023

WHAT LED YOU TO NIU? “A long path, but ultimately it’s about coming home. What I find interesting is ‘home’ has all these different kinds of connotations or meanings for people. I left my birth home state of Texas. This feels like a full circle...

Isiah Camarao, a sophomore biological sciences major, teaches a group at the Foreign Language Residence Program to speak Tagalog. The Foreign Language Residence Program helps to teach language through conversation. (Michael Mollsen | Northern Star)

FLRP does not flop when it comes to learning a language

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | September 20, 2023

DeKALB – Some might visit the Patterson Hall Dining center for a burger or some pizza, but others come to satisfy a craving to learn a language. The Foreign Language Residence Program is a program for students to learn about cultures and new languages...

Davis Hall sits under a partly cloudy afternoon sky on Tuesday. Davis Hall houses the NIU Observatory and the NIU Department of Geographic and Atmospheric Sciences, now known as the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

NIU merges fault line between disciplines

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | September 19, 2023

DeKALB – Seismic shifts are happening on campus, just not earthquakes. Two years after being approved, two earth science departments were finally combined. On Dec. 7, 2021, it was announced that the NIU Department of Geographic and Atmospheric...

An Illustration of an UFO saucer hovers over a city. A retired Air Force intelligence officer has recently testified in court regarding the retrieval and reverse engineering of wrecked UFOs. (Getty Images)

Students skeptical amid alien wreckage

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | September 19, 2023

DeKALB – Official reports of a government conspiracy to repurpose crashed alien aircraft aren’t making much of an impact on people.   On July 26, retired Air Force intelligence officer Maj. David Grusch testified to Congress that the U.S. government...

Sister Cindy, a Christian advocate, preaches to the crowd of NIU students. Sister Cindy visited NIU's campus Monday afternoon at the MLK Commons. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Sister Cindy slutshames the crowd

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon and Rachel Cormier | September 18, 2023

DeKALB – With a microphone in one hand and a Bible in the other, Sister Cindy made noise in the MLK Commons Monday. Cindy Smock, known as “Sister Cindy,” is a Christian advocate who preaches against promiscuity. Smock gained attention on TikTok...

Jessica Madrigal, a simulation laboratory specialist for the School of Nursing, describes a scenario a nursing student would practice on the medical manikin next to her. The NIU Nursing Building has moved to the NIU Health, Wellness and Literacy Center at 3100 Sycamore Road. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU School of Nursing moves after 36 years

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | September 18, 2023

DeKALB – The NIU School of Nursing has packed up everything and finally moved from its former location of 36 years. With the nursing program now located at the NIU Health, Wellness and Literacy Center at 3100 Sycamore Road, the department has been...

A digital mockup shows plans for the updated pickleball courts at Hopkins Park. The park is undergoing various renovations and updates, including new pickleball courts, playground and plans to update the pool. (Courtesy of the DeKalb Park District)

Updates to Hopkins Park in progress

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | September 18, 2023

Updates to Hopkins Park in progressThe DeKalb Park District's Hopkins Park is getting renovations starting this September.   "Our vision for Hopkins Park has always been to create an inclusive and dynamic community space that encourages healthy lifestyles...