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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 man in a green sweater holds his diploma. NIU needs to do better at offering classes students need for their careers. (Robin Gamboa | Northern Star)

Students should not struggle with completing their degrees

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | October 16, 2023

If a student experiences educational setbacks when a class isn’t offered, the university has failed them. Undergraduate students at NIU pay an estimated $29,636 per year, according to NIU’s Financial Aid. It’s beyond ridiculous that students...

A gardener shows a girl in Crocs a garden filled with vegetables. The Northern Star Editorial Board believes NIU's new sustainability plan is a great start but worries about the plan moving forward. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Editorial: Sustainability plans sprout, please make efforts fruitful

By Northern Star Editorial Board | October 15, 2023

NIU’s recently announced Sustainability and Climate Action Plan is a great start to fight against climate change, but the university should be mindful of being too ambitious due to unsecured funding. NIU President Lisa Freeman signed a commitment...

Leaves of various autumn colors hold hands. Fall is a beautiful season full of color and change. It's important to embrace change and enjoy it with the ones you care about! (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Fall together

By Eleanor Gentry, Cartoonist | October 12, 2023

A woman holds back her hair to reveal her cochlear implant. The Deaf community cannot claim to be inclusive unless they accept all forms of deafness or hard of hearing. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Deaf inclusiveness needs modern day update

By Joey Trella, Marketing Team Coordinator | October 11, 2023

Editor’s note: Digital Managing Editor Joey Trella was born bilaterally deaf. She received her left cochlear implant at 1-year-old and her right side at 5-years-old.  Being stuck between two worlds is no easy feat, especially when it is part of...

A man with a pumpkin head holds a carton of popcorn. What's your favorite Halloween movie? (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Poll: What’s your favorite Halloween movie?

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | October 10, 2023

With Halloween approaching, it's time to start planning some scary movie marathons.  Students can watch anything from the family-friendly "Hocus Pocus" to the disturbing "The Shining" or the cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." But which...

A biker rides their bike with figures on the ground behind them. Students who walk around campus must be aware of those who bike, and vice versa. (Robin Gamboa | Northern Star)

End NIU sidewalk wars

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | October 9, 2023

Much like the Sharks and the Jets from "West Side Story," the walkers and bikers on NIU’s campus are constantly vying for sidewalk space. NIU walkers and bikers need to stay in their own lanes. If fictional characters can do it, so can NIU. The heart...

An illustrated photo of Christopher Columbus sits behind the words, "Warning: This guy did not discover America." Columbus was no more than an infamous man in the newly unified Spain of the 15th century. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | October 8, 2023

Despite being a day of celebration about the discovery of America, Columbus Day is not a date to celebrate, at least not the way we actually do. Many will be surprised to discover that Columbus was no more than an infamous man in the newly unified...

The double door entrance to the Sally Stevens Players Theatre. Next to the door is the metal plaque that reads “The Sally, Sally Stevens Players Theatre” located in the Stevens Buildings.
(Ariyonna McGahee | Northern Star)

Attend NIU Theatre performances

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

NIU School of Theatre and Dance is constantly performing and hosting events, and NIU and DeKalb residents should take full advantage of its show-stopping numbers. Residents should attend theater performances, both to show support for the school and to...

From left: Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman react during the first quarter of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.  Opinion Columnist Alberto Briones believes Swift is out of Kelce's league. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Taylor’s out of Kelce’s league

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | October 3, 2023

During the last two NFL games, Taylor Swift's appearance in the box suite of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce generated significant attention and cultural buzz. Regarding career achievements and global impact, Swift's success surpasses Kelce's....

The Capital building sits under a clear blue sky. By abolishing the filibuster in federal justice appointments, government officials are creating an unfair and unjust judicial system. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Fili-Busted! Bring back the filibuster for federal justices

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | October 2, 2023

The federal government is failing America. By abolishing the filibuster in federal judge appointments, government officials are creating an unfair and unjust judicial system. Politicians must bring the practice back to protect America’s democratic republic...

Two figures run with spray paint and artwork. While new security measures are welcomed, it was a little too late for the NIU School of Art and Design. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Editorial: School of Art and Design makes appreciated, late effort

By Northern Star Editorial Board | October 1, 2023

The Northern Star Editorial Board believes the School of Art and Design is making the right security decisions after another break in to the building this year. However, these changes should have been talked about after the first break in, not the third. "On...

A judge’s gavel rests on a book behind an image of a mossy planet Earth. Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf believes the Held v. Montana court case decision was a step in the right direction for environmental protection. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

From Montana to NIU, environmental awareness matters

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | September 29, 2023

Courts across America have been silent on climate change and greenhouse gases.  On Aug. 14, Kathy Seeley, a Montana judge, broke the silence, and other states should do the same.  Through her ruling, Seeley created a precedent, requiring that...