Skip to Main Content

Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

General education classes produce well-rounded students

General education classes produce well-rounded students

By Jack Baker | April 13, 2011

Some students think that general education classes should not be required because they are not relevant to their majors, but these classes are important in creating well-rounded students.David Gorman, associate professor of English, said general education...

General education courses are a waste of time and money

General education courses are a waste of time and money

By Alyssa Pracz | April 13, 2011

General education courses should not be required for college students. For many, they are a waste of time and money that could be better spent elsewhere.Students should not be forced to take classes that cover materials they have already been familiar...

Testing on animals leads to important medical breakthroughs

Testing on animals leads to important medical breakthroughs

By Nathan Fulkerson | April 6, 2011

Animal rights activists are often concerned with the conditions of animals undergoing experimentation for medical research. That concern, while understandable, often comes with demands to put an end to animal testing. However, as long as the only alternative...

Testing on animals is unreliable and unethical

Testing on animals is unreliable and unethical

By Kathryn Minniti | April 6, 2011

When there is a debate about whether testing drugs on animals is ethical, one of the main arguments proponents use is that it has helped alleviate the suffering of people through the medical advances made in testing labs. That is not the case at all....

Freedom on Facebook leads to a more open, honest society

Freedom on Facebook leads to a more open, honest society

March 30, 2011

"Life is good," "Life sucks," pictures of people passed out, pictures of you eating an ice cream cone, pictures of you hiding behind some creepy guy to point at him and ironically tag him later as being creepy, links to Lil B's "Wonton Soup," joining...

Using Facebook irresponsibly has consequences

Using Facebook irresponsibly has consequences

March 30, 2011

Maybe you are into whips and chains or maybe you are into smoking weed. That's fine; that is your choice. But posting pictures on social networks of you smoking out of a bong is not a very responsible thing to do. A certain level of common sense is needed...

What role do names play in shaping our lives?

What role do names play in shaping our lives?

By Taurean Small | March 28, 2011

If my picture was removed from this column, would you know I was African-American simply from the name, Taurean? Surely you would think I was black if my name was DeShawn. According to the book Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side...

Life is too important to consider physician-assisted suicide

Life is too important to consider physician-assisted suicide

February 16, 2011

No matter how futile treatment may prove to be, no matter how expensive it may be or how much stress a relative's terminal illness may put on my family, they should fight until the end.Ending your life by choice, for any reason, completely contradicts...

America: Naughty or nice in 2010?

By Columnists | December 5, 2010

As the holiday season approaches and the year comes to a close, it is time to start making our shopping lists and deciding who has been naughty and who has been nice. For this week's "In Focus," various Northern Star columnists assess America's performance...

In Focus: What is your New Year's Resolution?

In Focus: What is your New Year’s Resolution?

As a culture, we like to think that every year is a new opportunity to start fresh. Whether it's trying to lose weight, quit smoking, or be better people overall, as soon as the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, 2011, we make a resolution to improve our...

New dorms will offer plenty to students

By Portia Kerr-Newman | November 29, 2010

NIU's idea for a new residence hall could possibly bring a lot to the campus. The dorm's semi-suite style rooms, along with individual rooms, could be a new attraction to students and bring a new look to the campus as a whole. I spoke with Michael Stang,...

Palin is the bane of my existence; she must be stopped

By Taurean Small | November 29, 2010

If you asked me what's the most irritating name I have ever heard, without hesitation I would shout the name Sarah Palin. I must admit, however, her personality is enticing, but where is her substance? Her philosophy on life seems to be based on a children's...