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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 Huskie holds a bone in its mouth that reads “Notre Dame” in front of a larger stack of bones. NIU’s status as an underdog makes spectacular wins like the victory over Notre Dame more meaningful. (Jayce Weir | Northern Star)

Editorial: NIU’s underdog status is prideworthy

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | September 17, 2024

Collegiate athletics is full of great traditions passed down from class to class, but few represent their university like the “boneyard” tradition that represents NIU. Since 1983, NIU football has marked its wins over Power Four – formerly Power...

A personified Supreme Court building holds a judge's gavel threateningly over a personified blue book labeled: "College Debt by Biden." The Northern Star Editorial Board is unsurprised but disappointed to see federal government continue to reject plans to forgive student debt. (Aidan Renteria | Northern Star)

EDITORIAL: Government’s failure to support students follows disappointing trail

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | September 11, 2024

While the Northern Star Editorial Board encouraged students not to get their hopes up, the continuous blows to Biden’s student loan debt plans are still a disappointment. Millions of Americans’ pleas for the forgiveness of student loan debt were...

A Huskie reaches through trees in a forest, staring uncertainly at a calculator and a compass that reads “Deficit Plan.” Students and faculty should not be overtly concerned about the deficit, but Huskies should also be aware that NIU is not out of the woods yet. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Editorial: NIU deficit not dire but worth attention

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | September 3, 2024

Colleges and universities across the United States are staring down significant debt. While NIU’s roughly $32 million deficit is not an anomaly, it is something to watch. NIU ended the fiscal year 2024 with around $77 million in total holdings and...

Cartoon characters of the seven members of the 2024 fall semester Northern Star Editorial Board sit around an office table. The Northern Star Editorial hopes readers will benefit from a run-down on the basic purposes of editorials in news media. (Jenny Javkhlantugs | Northern Star)

Editorial: Read editorials, spark conversation

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | August 27, 2024

Welcome back new and returning readers! As the school year begins, the Northern Star Editorial Board wanted to explain what content you can expect from the board this semester.  WHAT’S AN EDITORIAL ANYWAY? An editorial is an opinionated story...

The “no internet connection dinosaur” runs in his desert landscape alongside the “no internet connection” robot underneath a “no internet connection globe” sun. Internet is a necessity to everyday life in the modern world, and there must be federally-funded programs to support internet accessibility. (Gabriel Fiorini | Northern Star)

Editorial: Internet needs federal funding in modern world

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | April 28, 2024

Many of the pandemic social service programs are coming to a close: the Affordable Connectivity Program is one of them. In recent years, internet access has become a necessity – not merely a want; thus, this program should be worked into the federal...

A student munches on pizza from a pizza truck in front of the Holmes Student Center. Food Truck Wednesdays are an example of an NIU “tradition” that unites students, but NIU needs to create more meaningful traditions to improve campus life. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Editorial: Expand NIU’s traditions

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | April 21, 2024

The University of California Los Angeles has its Undie Run, Indiana University has its Little 500 bike race, Harvard has its Primal Scream event and Northern Illinois University has – nothing. Before entering college, prospective students are often...

A figure in high school graduation wear kicks a computer that reads "FAFSA." The FAFSA backlog may have long term consequences, specifically affecting incoming NIU students. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

Editorial: Consider FAFSA backlog, long-term consequences

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | April 14, 2024

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid was recently updated with the intention of creating an easier application process and an increase in aid, but now, in April, many students are still waiting for their financial aid packages.  FAFSA traditionally...

The Holmes Student Center stands under a thundercloud as money rains down from the sky. The Illinois General Assembly should approve the new funding formula to benefit Illinois universities. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Editorial: Illinois General Assembly should approve new funding formula

The Illinois Commission on Equitable Public University Funding is proposing a new formula to calculate funding for Illinois universities. The proposed changes should be approved by the Illinois General Assembly as the new formula would increase funding...

An angry jolly rancher battles a cranky QR code in front of a sign that reads "Vote in the Student Government Association Elections." The recent SGA race was highly unprofessional. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Editorial: SGA elections too unprofessional

While last week’s Student Government Association elections witnessed a record-breaking number of votes, the SGA elections last week were disappointingly unprofessional. Even if national politicians often act careless and childish, SGA should hold...

An AI interpretation of Northern Illinois University’s Altgeld Hall stands under a blue sky, developed by the AI image generator site Adobe Firefly. The Northern Star will be run by AI effective immediately, covering campus and local news via artificial intelligence. (Adobe Firefly Image)

Editorial: AI to cover campus news

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | March 31, 2024

DeKALB – In a bold move that merges tradition with innovation, the Northern Star, NIU's trusted source of news and information, has announced a groundbreaking transition. The editorial team, led by Editor-in-Chief Jane Smith, is replacing themselves...

A figure sinks down into colored layers of green and blue. Public perception of student loans can be harmful, often ignoring the possibility of "drowning in debt." (Gabriel Fiorini | Northern Star)

Editorial: Student loans create possibility, not affordability

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | March 24, 2024

Student loans do not make things affordable. In fact, after interest accrues, they do the exact opposite. That’s not to say they aren’t a good resource for students otherwise unable to afford college, but student loans have been over-normalized as...

Alexia Musgraves, a junior public health administration major, speaks at the SGA debate Thursday. The Northern Star Editorial Board endorses Musgraves for SGA President, as well as James Innis for Vice President, Aiden O’Brien for Student Trustee and Ryan Kramer for Treasurer. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Editorial: Northern Star endorses Musgraves, Innis, Kramer, O’Brien

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | March 22, 2024

Editor’s note: The Northern Star Editorial Board Staff communicated to every student running for a Student Government Association Executive Board position via email to represent themselves in a filmed interview regarding their campaign for their positions....