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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

A blue hand crushes the thorny stem of a rose into the palm of a pink hand, causing droplets of blood to fall. The phrase “he’s mean to you because he likes you” can have lasting consequences. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

‘He’s mean because he likes you’ harms young women

By Lexi Nebel and Emily Beebe | January 21, 2024

If you were once a young girl, you might have experienced teasing on the playground by a boy, followed by the adult response: “He’s mean to you because he likes you.”  “Yeah, I heard it all the time,” said Alondra Rodriguez, a first-year...

A figure curls up on a purple bed immersed in their phone. The lies we tell ourselves prevail. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Self-inflicted

By Christa Kim, Cartoonist | January 18, 2024

A ticking watch hangs in front of a computer screen opened to the Blackboard home page. Accelerated courses move at a quicker rate than some students expect. (Northern Star | Photo Illustration)

Accelerated courses are overrated

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | January 17, 2024

In today’s fast-paced world, students seek to finish their college degree as quickly as possible, often looking to take accelerated courses. Education should not be treated like a race, and with accelerated courses, students miss a richer and more fulfilling...

An artist’s depiction of a baseball bat and mallet crash into the glass screens of a microwave and television. An on-campus rage room would provide students with a satisfying outlet to express their fury. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

NIU needs a rage room

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | January 16, 2024

Editor’s Note: The Northern Star does not encourage readers to replace therapy with rage room visits. Students seeking counseling can contact Counseling and Consultation Services.  It’s time for a new therapeutic activity in town. By implementing...

A student sits irritably in class as an instructor points at a chalkboard with a cold face. It’s important to maintain a friendly environment in the classroom as faculty and students return for the spring semester. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Professional doesn’t mean cold

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | January 15, 2024

Syllabus week is here: the first impression professors and students will get of each other before work begins. This semester, professors, please keep classrooms friendly. Students, let’s make that possible for them. Reviewing the many rules of the...

An illustrated police scanner radio sends off blue, red and white radio signals. The Northern Star Editorial Board encourages readers to listen to police department radio scanner streams. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Editorial: Listen to police scanners

By Northern Star Editorial Board | December 10, 2023

While it is impossible for citizens to follow along with police officers every day, there are ways to follow what is going on in the community.  Police scanners are the one of ways police officers, dispatchers and other employees stay in contact when...

A person in green winter clothing is frozen in ice. A common enemy between students is the coming and going of winter. Remember to bundle up everyone! (Robin Gamboa | Northern Star)

CARTOON: Colder than cold

By Robin Gamboa, Cartoonist | December 7, 2023

A person in a purple sweater sits on their bed knitting green yarn while a thought bubble near their head reads “I can’t wait to see their reaction.” Senior Opinion Columnist Emily Beebe believes homemade gifts are more meaningful than store-bought ones. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Give more homemade gifts

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | December 6, 2023

‘Tis the Christmas season when gifts rest under a festively decorated pine tree. The traditional opening of presents may feature those homemade, others store-bought, and the rest somewhere in between. However, one type should stand above the rest during...

A woman in a yellow sweater spreads her arms beneath a bright source of light. How do you de-stress during finals week? (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Poll: How do you de-stress during finals week?

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | December 5, 2023

The semester is coming to a close with finals, the final hurdle before winter break. Exams, projects or both might make the last week of the semester hectic for students. There is a lot of pressure because finals affect our marks, and many students have...

A severe weather forecast centers in the midwest. Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf believes radar holes in weather forecasting are dangerous and need to be patched. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Radar holes must be patched

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | December 4, 2023

Severe weather can occur anywhere, and all areas deserve equal protection and accurate forecasts. Radar holes, spots where precipitation cannot be forecasted completely accurately, are dangerous and need to be patched.  Meteorologists use radars to...

A person looks at a Northern Star Tweet. The Northern Star Editorial Board explained the delivery issues experienced with its daily newsletter, TLDR. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Editorial: TLDR newsletter flagged ‘malicious’

By Northern Star Editorial Board | December 3, 2023

The Northern Star’s daily newsletter TLDR is not being delivered to Outlook emails, but the management board will continue to produce it despite this setback. Northern Star staff and readers began reporting on Nov. 7 that their Monday and Tuesday...

A graphic shows two images of Sexiest Man Alive award winner Patrick Dempsey. Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf interviewed students about whether they find Dempsey sexy. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Street interviews: Patrick Dempsey, hot or not?

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | November 30, 2023

There is no doubt that Patrick Dempsey holds a place in the hearts of many “Grey’s Anatomy” fans. From his role as McDreamy in the hospital drama to his role as a sheriff in the 2023 movie “Thanksgiving,” Dempsey has proven to be a versatile...