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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

Abortion-rights activists protest in pink March 26 outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. On March 8, France inscribed abortion rights in its constitution, and other nations should follow suit. (AP Photo | Jose Luis Magana)

Make abortion constitutional right, like France

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Editor | April 7, 2024

In an historic first, France has made abortion a constitutional right. Other countries, especially the U.S., should follow suit to support women and reproductive rights. On March 8, France officially inscribed abortion into their Constitution, according...

Anne Frank’s diary rests open on display. Works such as Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl” and Elie Wiesel’s “Night” should be taught in schools to emphasize their historical importance, not their literary merit. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Reanalyze Holocaust literature curricula

By Anna Scanlan, Digital Managing Editor | April 4, 2024

Works like “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank and “Night” by Elie Wiesel are commonly taught in middle and high school English classes. While these texts hold plenty of literary and historical merit, curricula should not center solely around...

A voter casts their ballot at a polling station Tuesday in New York. Voting “uncommitted” in the November general election, as some voters did this primary season, would be a waste of a vote. (AP Photo | Seth Wenig)

Don’t vote ‘uncommitted’

By Will Thiel, Opinion Columnist | April 2, 2024

The uncommitted are committed to no one in this 2024 election; voters are prompting a futile protest against President Joe Biden. Voting “uncommitted” in U.S. primaries may seem like a neutral vote, but it's a decision that could affect the outcome...

Four quadrants contain symbols from four famous forms of poetry: haiku, sonnet, acrostic and limerick. April is National Poetry Month, what type of poetry is best? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: What type of poetry is best?

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | April 2, 2024

National Poetry Month is observed in April, honoring the beauty and significance of poetry for aspiring poets and literary fans. The Academy of American Poets founded this month-long celebration in 1996 to celebrate poetry's enormous effect on our lives...

A checklist, looking glass and dollar bills rest under the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Higher Learning Commission accreditation. Should HLC accreditation occur more or less frequently? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Higher Learning Commission accreditation

By Emily Beebe and James Bennett | April 1, 2024

The process of validation universities undergo is known as accreditation. NIU’s accreditation evaluation is done by the Higher Learning Commission. It is essentially an external review that is done to make sure colleges match up with the criteria and...

A figure balances precariously on the word “FOMO,” struggling to maintain various words indicating involvement, student life and everyday battles, including “time management,” “stress,” “school,” “food,” and “future.” Students should push back against feelings of FOMO. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

No more FOMO

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | April 1, 2024

College is a time for students to explore interests and invest in themselves. Because of this, students frequently struggle with fear of missing out or FOMO. The fear of being left out at social events and academic opportunities is unnecessary, and students...

Various silhouettes of women overlap in shades of purple. Women’s History Month comes to an end with March. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Women’s History Month too politicized

By Will Thiel, Opinion Columnist | April 1, 2024

Fourth-wave feminism – or the political movement behind it – has self-objectified femininity, turning Women’s History Month into a political narrative to gloss over in a calendar year. Woke feminists are spitting in the face of celebratory women...

Luna Lloyd, a first-year kinesiology major, responds to a street interview prompt. What is the best sign of spring? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Signs of spring

By Kahlil Kambui, Senior News Reporter | March 29, 2024

Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and the sun is shining; you know what that means…spring is here! To students, the surest sign of the season is Spring Break, already behind us. To the calendar, spring didn't officially start until March...

Craig Shilling, father of Michigan shooting victim Justin Shilling, reacts to James Crumbley’s guilty verdict on March 14. James and Jennifer Crumbley were both found guilty of involuntary manslaughter following the mass shooting their son, Ethan Crumbley, committed Nov. 30, 2021. (Robin Buckson | Detroit News via AP Photo)

Crumbleys’ guilty verdict unjustified

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Editor | March 28, 2024

The parents of Ethan Crumbley, the Oxford High School shooter, have been charged with involuntary manslaughter for their role in the shooting. However, they should not be held responsible for Ethan’s actions. Jennifer Crumbley was charged with involuntary...

A goose walks parallel to a passing bus at the DuSable turnaround. Riding the bus is an easy way for college students to contribute to a green cause. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Ride the bus for Mother Nature

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | March 27, 2024

Via planes, trains and automobiles, there’s a multitude of ways to get around the 21st century. For NIU students, the greenest way is utilizing the DeKalb public bus system, and it’s time to become better acquainted with it.  Most people understand...

A figure in a pink shirt that reads “Love U 4 Ever” begs from their knees for another figure, who wears a green sweater that reads “Move On,” to take them back. Don’t take back cheaters; they aren’t worth it. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Don’t take cheaters back

By Kahlil Kambui, Senior News Reporter | March 26, 2024

If you've been cheated on, you’ve probably heard some plea in an attempt to get you back. Don’t fall for this trick, and don’t take back your ex – it is always a bad idea. “Babe, please take me back. I promise I'll never cheat on you again.”  It’s...

Four quadrants display various artworks, including: a replica of Marcel Duchamp’s 1917 sculpture “Fountain,” Frida Kahol’s 1946 painting “Wounded Deer,” Willem de Kooning’s 1976 painting “Untitled” and Roy Lichtenstein’s 1964 painting “Kiss V.” Which art movement is most inspiring? (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Northern Star Graphic)

Poll: Which art movement is most inspiring?

By Camilla Dziadosz, Opinion Columnist | March 26, 2024

Throughout history, art has acted as a profound bridge between pivotal historical events and the complexity of the human condition. Art encapsulates cultural, social, political and economic facets, often presented in innovative ways for the first time.  The...