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Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Lucy Atkinson

Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor

Lucy Atkinson first joined the star in the fall of 2022 as an opinion columnist. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, she is a sophomore at NIU majoring in journalism with hopes to minor in geology. In her free time, Lucy enjoys reading, going for runs, playing piano and collecting notes on Illinois’s beautiful flora and fauna!

All content by Lucy Atkinson
The Holmes Student Center Amazon Hub screen reads There is no additional cost for shipping to an Amazon Locker. The HSC Amazon Hub could aid student package security, especially for students living in dorms. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Amazon Hub improves campus delivery

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Editor
April 15, 2024
Two American flags and music notes rest under the words Look Both Ways and the topic of the week: playing the national anthem at sports events. Is the national anthem overplayed at sports events? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: National anthem at sports events

By Skyler Kisellus and Will Thiel
April 15, 2024
School supplies rest on a table. Equity in education is critical to student success as is pushing a need for better school funding. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Equitable education critical for student success

By Nanette Nkolomoni, Copy Editor
April 14, 2024
Olivia Lesniewski, a junior music education major, responds to a street interview prompt. Share a joke! (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: National Humor Month

By James Bennett and Lucy Atkinson
April 11, 2024
Siberian squill flowers burst up along the East Lagoon, filling a patch beneath the trees with bright blue. What’s your favorite spring smell? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: What’s the best spring smell?

By Will Thiel, Opinion Columnist
April 9, 2024
A video surveillance camera and a school building rest under the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Cameras in classrooms. Should there be cameras in classrooms? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Cameras in classrooms

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Alberto Briones
April 8, 2024
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)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Higher Learning Commission accreditation

By Emily Beebe and James Bennett
April 1, 2024
The new and final editor of the Northern Star, Jane Smith, smiles at the camera. Smith was developed through the online AI face-merging site, FaceShape, by combining all ten faces of the Northern Star’s editorial board into one. (Lucy Atkinson | FaceShape AI)

[Photo] Editorial: AI to cover campus news

By The Northern Star Editorial Board
March 31, 2024
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
A bulletin board on the first floor of Davis Hall displays potential job descriptions for hydrology. The USGS water research facility moving to campus will provide research opportunities for students interested in a variety of subjects, including hydrology, geology and environmental sciences. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] USGS water research facility benefits students

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Editor
March 25, 2024
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
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)

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

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
March 19, 2024
A brain is surrounded by floating hearts under the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Togetherall. Will the new mental health app NIU has partnered with, Togetherall, bring positive change? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Togetherall

By Camilla Dziadosz and Emily Beebe
March 18, 2024
The Folger Shakespeare Library’s edition of Shakespeare’s “Othello,” published June 2017, is open to Act 5 Scene 2 and includes a glossary of Early Modern English terms featured on each page. Early Modern English is outdated and should be abandoned in modern theater. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Early Modern English ineffective today

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
March 17, 2024
A Supreme Court building and a voting ballot rest under the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Trump on the primary ballot. Was the Supreme Court right to overrule Colorado’s expulsion of Trump from the state’s primary ballot? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Trump on the primary ballot

By Camilla Dziadosz and Will Thiel
March 7, 2024
Colorful music notes and a painted handprint rest under the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Separating art from the artist. As consumers of art, should we separate art from the artist? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Separating art from the artist

By Kahlil Kambui and Camilla Dziadosz
March 4, 2024
Music notes, a leapfrog, a birthday cake and an engagement ring surround the words: Leap Year. Do you enjoy Leap Day? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: Do you enjoy Leap Day?

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Editor
February 28, 2024
A mouse peers outward beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Animal testing. Is animal testing justified? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Animal Testing

By James Bennett and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
February 26, 2024
Delicious but lonely fries rest in a basket without any dipping sauces. What dipping sauce is best with french fries? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: What dipping sauce is best with french fries?

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist
February 20, 2024
A phone with a pink heart is surrounded by floating white hearts beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Dating Apps. Are dating apps worth it? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Dating Apps

By Emily Beebe and Alberto Briones
February 15, 2024
An ambulance waits at a red light in front of the NIU Visitor’s Center. EMTs should be compensated well for their life-saving work. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] EMTs deserve more pay

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Editor
February 14, 2024
A copy of William Shakespeare’s 1597 “Romeo and Juliet” shows the title page of the playwright, as printed for Malone Society Reprints in 2000, and is located in the Founder’s Memorial Library. Is Romeo and Juliet a love story? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Is ‘Romeo and Juliet’ a love story?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 13, 2024
Andrea Ignacio, senior communications major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What are the best and worst dates students have been on? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Best and worst dates

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 11, 2024
Iconic fashion looks and symbols from the ‘60s through the 2020s fill four panels. Which decade had the best fashion? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: Which decade had the best fashion?

By Camilla Dziadosz, Opinion Columnist
February 6, 2024
A silhouette of the grim reaper stands between a needle and two pills beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Euthanasia. Should euthanasia be legal? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Euthanasia

By Kahlil Kambui and Emily Beebe
February 5, 2024
Adult hands cradle baby feet beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: raising kids. Are adults obligated to raise kids? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Raising kids

By Camilla Dziadosz and Alberto Briones
January 29, 2024
A Pinocchio figure sits beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: white lies. Is it okay to tell white lies? (Northern Star Graphic)

Look Both Ways: White Lies

By Olivia Zapf and Lucy Atkinson
January 22, 2024
The black and white keys of a Kimball acoustic piano wait to be tickled in a practice room in the NIU Music Building. Piano accompaniment included or otherwise, what’s the best genre of music? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: What’s the best genre of music?

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Editor
January 16, 2024
A student sits irritably in class as an instructor points at a chalkboard with a cold face. It’s important to maintain a friendly environment in the classroom as faculty and students return for the spring semester. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Professional doesn’t mean cold

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
January 15, 2024
A goose perches atop an NIU building on a partly cloudy day. Geese and students compete for space on NIU’s campus, but geese are often found with the higher ground. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] No more Huskies, we’re Geese

By Olivia Zapf, Assistant Opinion Editor
November 15, 2023
Six illustrations display leg, arm, armpit and pubic hair against floral backdrops. No person should feel ashamed of their body hair. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Shave for you, not the patriarchy

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
October 31, 2023
A computer on the first floor of the Founders Memorial Library displays a red sign-in screen for the Math Assistance Center. Students shouldn’t be anxious to receive tutoring. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Don’t shy away from tutoring

By Kahlil Kambui, Senior News Reporter
October 12, 2023
The first page of the U.S. Constitution on display. The constitution has experienced many amendments and should always be allowed to evolve through the generations. (Courtesy of Wikicommons)

Constitutional amendments are necessary

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
September 11, 2023
Cars passing the NIU mural on the underpass of South Annie Glidden Road and Lincoln Highway. One side of the mural reads “NIU” and the other “Huskie Nation” with paw prints on each side. (Ariyonna McGahee | Northern Star)

New mural is welcoming, despite students’ reactions

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
September 7, 2023
An IUD laying on a persons hand. An IUD is a form of reversible birth control that is proven to be extremely painful, but some medical personal might downplay the pain. (Courtesy of Wikimedia)

Doctors, please take female pain seriously

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
September 6, 2023
Peter Campus Life Buildings new parking signage stands with campus in the background. Senior Columnist Lucy Atkinson questions whether the new parking changes will be enough for students. (Angelina Padilla - Tompkins | Northern Star)

It’s too soon to tell if NIU’s parking changes will be enough

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
August 31, 2023
David Grusch testified on July 26 before the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs in the hearing titled Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Implications on National Security, Public Safety, and Government Transparency. (Courtesy of Wikimedia)

Aliens? Maybe, but let’s not freak out

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
August 28, 2023
File - The American and FOX flags fly outside the News Corp. and Fox News headquarters on April 19, in New York. Fox Corp.s hefty $787.5 million settlement with Dominion over defamation charges is unlikely to make a dent in Foxs operations, analysts say. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Fox deserved more retribution

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
May 4, 2023
FILE - Tucker Carlson attends the final round of the Bedminster Invitational LIV Golf tournament in Bedminster, N.J., July 31, 2022. Carlson was abruptly bounced from his popular prime-time show earlier in the day without explanation from Fox. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Good riddance, Tucker Carlson

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
May 3, 2023
Cartoonist Isaac Trusty illustrates a student asleep in a pile of homework with their coffee still in hand. It is important to prioritize sleep, even more so during finals week.

Sleep is important, especially during finals

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
May 1, 2023

Street Interviews: Reactions to the death of Jerry Springer

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
May 1, 2023
A husky buried in campus trash as a nearby trash can remains empty. Columnist Lucy Atkinson reminds students that while Earth Month might be over, keeping the planet clean is still important.

All students should prioritize keeping campus clean

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 29, 2023
A birds eye view of a jar overflowing with pennies. Columnists Lucy Atkinson and Emily Beebe debate whether America should keep the copper coin in the currency.

Look Both Ways: Is it time to ditch the penny?

By Lucy Atkinson and Emily Beebe
April 26, 2023

Street Interviews: Are you ready for the end of the semester?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 25, 2023
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Heritage Foundation 50th Anniversary Celebration leadership summit, April 21, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson believes that DeSantis immigration policies are heartless. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

DeSantis’ immigration policies are unacceptable

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 24, 2023
A girl skimming through a book while at the library. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson urges students to support their local bookstore in celebration of Independent Bookstore Day.

Support local bookstores this Independent Bookstore Day

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 20, 2023
Cartoonist Isaac Trusty illustrates Jack Arends Hall, School of Art and Design in five different styles, showing the many dimensions there are to art students and their work.

Visual art students deserve our attention

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 19, 2023

Street Interviews: What are your thoughts on a TikTok ban?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 18, 2023
Students march on the State Capitol steps during the March for Our Lives anti-gun violence protest in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, April 3, 2023. This comes after a school shooting that occurred on March 28 at a private Christian school in Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Stop resisting a federal assault weapons ban

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 16, 2023
Former president Donald Trumps arrest could cause an uprising in protests by his dedicated followers, causing concern for safety for those involved.

Trump’s indictment is celebratory, but warrants caution

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 10, 2023

Look Both Ways: Is self-healing a good thing?

By Lucy Atkinson and Nanette Nkolomoni
April 9, 2023
Two vegan chickpea burgers sitting on a platter. Columnist Lucy Atkinson suggests taking a chance on vegan options when eating at fast-food chains.

Go meatless at the next drive-thru

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 5, 2023

Street Interviews: Do you use Huskie Hub?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
April 4, 2023
Demonstraters protest against the Biden administrations approval of the Willow oil-drilling project before a scheduled speech by Biden at the Department of the Interior in Washington, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Look Both Ways: The Willow Project

By Lucy Atkinson and Emily Beebe
April 2, 2023
The sun shining through a tree in a meadow. Human composting offers another form of after-death service that involves being one with earths soil.

Illinois should legalize human composting

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
March 29, 2023

Street Interviews: Thoughts on the Huskie statue, Oorah

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
March 28, 2023
Bees enjoy rolling around and playing with small toy wooden balls. (Cartoon by Amber Siegel)

Exploring entomology is crucial to understand insects’ emotions

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
March 22, 2023
A researcher working on creating genetically modified organisms in a lab. Senior columnist Angelina Padilla-Tompkins and columnist Lucy Atkinson look at the pros and cons of having GMOs in our plants and foods.

Look Both Ways: Are GMOs good for us?

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins and Lucy Atkinson
March 9, 2023

No more ‘boys will be boys,’ let’s hold them accountable

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
March 8, 2023

Street Interviews: Selena Gomez or Hailey Bieber?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
March 7, 2023
Spain recently passed a bill allowing menstruating employees to take paid leave ranging from three to five days.

United States ought to provide paid menstrual leave

By Nanette Nkolomoni and Lucy Atkinson
March 6, 2023
Walmart is open seven days a week and carries a wide selection of items. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Poll: What is your go-to grocery store?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 28, 2023

Street Interviews: What are your thoughts on ChatGPT?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 27, 2023
Last week, the CDC released a report outlining record-high levels of sadness among teenage girls. Columnist Lucy Atkinson believes its time to listen to and support teenage girls.

Teenage girls are suffering, desperate for mental health support

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 22, 2023
Columnist Lucy Atkinson suggests looking into birding as a possible hobby to help relieve stress and other mental health situations.

Inclusive Birding Club can provide comfort

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 20, 2023
Police secure the entrance to the neighborhood of former Vice President Mike Pences Indiana home, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Carmel, Ind. The FBI is searching former Vice President Mike Pence’s Indiana home as part of a classified records probe. Thats according to two people familiar with the search who were not authorized to discuss it and spoke on condition of anonymity. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Classified documents don’t feel classified

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 15, 2023
The U.S. debt has hit the ceiling once again, raising concerns whether or not Congress should continue raising the debt ceiling.

Look Both Ways: Should we raise the U.S. debt ceiling?

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins and Lucy Atkinson
February 13, 2023

Street Interviews: Should DeKalb have a Metra Train Station?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 10, 2023

Street Interviews: How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 6, 2023
On Jan. 24, 2023, the Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the media in Ratana, New Zealand where she made her final public appearance.

Jacinda Ardern will be missed, deserves our praise

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
February 2, 2023
Students wait in line at the three dining options at Stevenson dining, and Patterson dining showcasing its dessert options for dinner on Tuesday at the respective residential halls. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Stevenson Towers residents deserves buffet-style dining hall

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
January 31, 2023
Since COVID-19 started in March 2020, air travel has decreased and has struggled to adjust to the new normal.

COVID-19 has changed outlook on travel

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
January 29, 2023

Street interviews: Thoughts on NIU naming new mascot Mission III?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
January 27, 2023
Space exploration hit new highs in 2022 and Columnist Lucy Atkinson believes its good were going up into the sky again.

A new space race is looming

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
January 23, 2023

Street Interviews: Should NIU have a fall break?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
January 22, 2023
Opinion columnist Lucy Atkinson details her fascination with surrealist art

Unpopular Opinion: Surrealist art is underrated

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
December 2, 2022
The TikTok app logo close-up on a screen. FBI and government officials are concerned about the security of the app and are looking into solutions. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

TikTok cannot be banned despite national security concerns

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
December 1, 2022
Opinion columnist Lucy Atkinson presents a poll on which Christmas movie is the best to watch for the holiday season.

Poll: Which Christmas movie are you watching?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
November 18, 2022
On June 25, 2019, protestors gathered outside U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowskis office in Juneau, Alaska, to protest the proposed Pebble Mine.

The EPA should stop the Pebble Mine proposal to protect Bristol Bay

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
November 17, 2022

Street Interviews: Where do you get your news?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
November 16, 2022
The Sunshine Protection Act would put an end to yearly fall back and spring forward time changes.

House of Representatives should vote to make daylight saving time permanent

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
November 15, 2022
An overview of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, which will eventually be built over the 101 Freeway, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Agoura Hills, Calif. Construction has begun on whats billed as the worlds largest wildlife crossing for mountain lions and other animals caught in Southern Californias urban sprawl.

The US needs to implement more wildlife crossings

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
November 9, 2022
From left: Aana Patel, Rinky Contractor and Raj Toolsie. Professor Sarah Marsh encouraging to students to vote this upcoming election.

Look Both Ways: Why should or shouldn’t Gen Z vote

By Lucy Atkinson and Philip Arduini
November 7, 2022
Hundreds of Texans attend a rally on the steps of the Texas Capitol building in Austin, Texas on May 8, 2021 to oppose voter suppression measures.

We need to talk about voter suppression more

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
November 6, 2022
Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson shares a story about an unfortunate high school ski race.

That Time I… snail-paced a ski race

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
November 4, 2022
In the 2022 Midterm elections, registered Illinois voters will be given the chance to vote for the Workers Right Amendment which is a step further than the current National Labor Relations Act.

You should vote “Yes” on the Workers’ Rights Amendment

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
November 2, 2022

Street Interviews: Is the voting process easy?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor
October 28, 2022
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Northern Star

The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. and is a limited public forum whose content is determined exclusively by its student editors. Information presented on this website and in its print products is not controlled by NIU administration, faculty or staff. The Star publishes online at northernstar.info and sends out its TLDR newsletter Monday through Friday.

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The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. The Northern Star covers NIU campus news, DeKalb news, NIU Huskie sports and northern Illinois entertainment.

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The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. The Northern Star covers NIU campus news, DeKalb news, NIU Huskie sports and northern Illinois entertainment.

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