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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

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...

The DeKalb Water Tower sits near NIUs western offices and the NIU football field on a morning. The USGS Central Midwest Water Science Center will relocate to NIUs campus by the end of the semester, presenting new research experience opportunities for students. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

USGS water research facility benefits students

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Editor | March 25, 2024

NIU is receiving a new water facility through its United States Geological Survey partnership. This facility will be filled with research opportunities and hands-on experiences that NIU students should utilize. USGS is best known for providing research...

Ophelia Boyd, a first-year health science major, responds to a street interview prompt. Who is your favorite female historical figure, and what would you say to them? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Women in history

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | March 25, 2024

Throughout history, women have filled half the human population with a fraction of human rights. Women have been — and continue to be — leaders of strength, compassion and intelligence, creating change despite the patriarchy.  On our campus,...

A phone with multiple social media apps is reflected in a mirror. Social media is only a reflection of real life, and users should be wary of misrepresentation. (Photo Illustration | Northern Star)

Limit social media use

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist | March 24, 2024

A young man scrolls instagram and sees his classmates posts. They post their travels, their friends and their accomplishments. The young man feels inferior because his life feels so mundane compared to theirs.  A teenager in today’s world will grow...

An abstract design shows a forest burning from bright red flames, with the red sun beaming bring and hard. Our planet deserves better. (Camilla Dziadosz | Northern Star)

Recent weather shifts can’t be ignored

By Camilla Dziadosz, Opinion Columnist | March 20, 2024

While the coverage of climate change is nothing particularly new, the pressing issue doesn’t match actions taken for resolution. We shouldn’t wait for more chaotic weather to arise to prioritize prevention of the climate crisis – it may be too late...

Four quadrants display symbols from four famous coming-of-age books: Looking for Alaska, The Perks of being a Wallflower, The Catcher in the Rye, and The Outsiders. Which coming-of-age book is best? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: What’s the best coming-of-age book?

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist | March 19, 2024

Coming-of-age books are a quintessential part of literature. They help inspire many generations of readers and writers.  Coming-of-age is a genre that attempts to convey how problems commonly affect young people. This is often done in a real and relatable...