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Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Rachel Cormier

Rachel Cormier, News Reporter

Rachel Cormier is the assistant news editor at the Northern Star. She is an English major with a creative writing focus and a journalism minor.

Rachel is also a member of the NIU Fencing Club and Kappa Kappa Psi, the band-service fraternity. She covers the DeKalb City Council beat.

All content by Rachel Cormier
Senior news reporter Rachel Cormier poses with the NIU Huskie salute. Cormier gave a recap of the biggest stories the Northern Star has covered in the spring 2024 semester. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

A look back at NIU news during spring 2024

By Joseph Howerton and Rachel Cormier
May 5, 2024
NIUs Convocation Center, located at 1525 W. Lincoln Highway sits empty. Graduation will be held May 10 for graduate students and May 11 for undergraduates at the NIU Convocation Center. (Northern Star file photo)

NIU seniors compare high school graduations to senior ones

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
May 3, 2024
Emma Walsh sits in the NIU Honors Program Lounge in the Peter Campus Life Building. Walsh attended St. Charles East High School and will graduate with a bachelors degree in Business Administration. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Looking back at the class of 2020: Emma Walsh

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
May 3, 2024
Allison Spotts stands outside in a jacket and beanie hat. Spotts attended DeKalb High School and will graduate with a bachelors degree in Kinesiology. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Looking back at the class of 2020: Allison Spotts

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
May 3, 2024
Rohan Francis sits at a table in the Neptune Lounge. Francis attended Plainfield North High School and will graduate with a bachelors degree in Business Administration. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Looking back at the class of 2020: Rohan Francis

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
May 3, 2024
A group of protestors hold signs and chant. Students for Justice in Palestine led a protest through NIUs campus to Altgeld Hall. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Student protesters call on NIU to disclose and divest from Israel

By Jenny Javkhlantugs, Joseph Howerton, Rachel Cormier, and Gabby Crabtree
May 2, 2024
Members of DeKalb American Legion Post 66 and the DeKalb High School Marching Barbs march with musical instruments and flags during the 2023 Memorial Day Parade in DeKalb. The 2024 Memorial Day Parade will take place May 27. (Courtesy of the City of DeKalb)

Organizations wanted to march in DeKalb Memorial Day Parade

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
May 1, 2024
Protesters gather at the MLK Commons Wednesday in support of Palestine. The protest began at 12:30 p.m. with protesters chanting while others played instruments to attempt to gather more of an attention during Food Truck Wednesday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

BREAKING: Palestine protesters have multiple demands for NIU

By Gabby Crabtree and Rachel Cormier
May 1, 2024
Different graphs shows car crash data from 2023 in DeKalb. In 2023, DeKalb had 580 more crashes than 2013. (Northern Star graphic)

DeKalb sees an increase in car crashes

By Devin Oommen and Rachel Cormier
May 1, 2024
A hand holds up a speakerphone next to the word “Vote” repeated in a blue cut-out. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, an initiative of non-profit Civic Nation, honored 137 students for contributing to voter registration on college campuses. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge honors 137 students

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
April 25, 2024
Matt Streb (left), chief strategy officer for NIU, discusses the developments for the purchase of land for the NIU Greek Life Center with Catherine Squires, vice president of University Advancement and president and CEO of the NIU Foundation. Shop owners of DeKalbs Central Business District voiced their concerns over a proposed levy for downtown DeKalb residents to reimburse the city for street maintenance costs. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU expects to purchase land for Greek Life Center

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
April 23, 2024
Students stand in line at All-Star Deli located at Stevenson Dining. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 963 chapter is negotiating for higher starting wages and longevity pay. (Northern Star file photo)

Dining negotiations remain stagnant, union leaders struggle amid understaffing

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
April 19, 2024
Huskie buses sit parked in the Huskie Line bus barn. On Sunday at Francis Road in Virgil Township near Illinois Route 38, police responded to a car crash involving a Huskie Bus. (Gabby Crabtree | Northern Star)

Driver collides with NIU Huskie Bus in Virgil

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
April 17, 2024
Jifu Tan, assistant professor for the Department of Mechanical Engineering explains the features of the cardiovascular system from his abstract on his computer. Tan was awarded the National Science Foundations Faculty Early Career Development award for his abstract on modeling and predicting blood clot formation. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Mechanical Engineering professor awarded NSF grant

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
April 9, 2024
The DeKalb City Council sit and share their council member reports at the City Council meeting on April 8. The board approved an agreement for the Illinois Aviation Academy to train pilots at the DeKalb Municipal Airport. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

DeKalb Airport to house second Illinois Aviation Academy

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
April 8, 2024
Deputy Speaker of the Senate Chris English (from left), Speaker Cole Hensley and Eddie Guerrero, the seat for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences attend the SGA Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday. The SGA Supreme Court held a hearing for members of the “NIU United” ticket who were accused of bribery and campaigning in the wrong areas during the SGA election. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

SGA Supreme Court overturns NIU United sanctions

By Emily Beebe and Rachel Cormier
April 3, 2024
A figure walks in heels, casting a shadow on the ground. The Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity will host a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event at 5 pm on April 4. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Sigma Lambda Beta dons high heels against machismo

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
April 2, 2024
Victor E. Huskie poses in front of the Burritoville food truck during the fall semester. Food Truck Wednesday is starting back up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday with eight new food trucks. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

[Photo] Food Truck Wednesdays return to campus

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter
April 1, 2024
Bianca Galicia (left), a senior non-profit and NGO studies major chats with friend, Itzel Sanchez, senior and NGO studies major in the Latino Resource Center Wellness Lounge. The LRC held the opening of its Wellness Lounge at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Wellness Lounge creates a relaxing space at LRC

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
March 26, 2024
Drag Queen Miranda Kherr lip syncs Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) by ABBA on the runway Friday at the CAB Drag Show. Five drag queens lip synced and performed drag to pop songs in the Duke Ellington Ballroom. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Drag Queens come back to NIU

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
March 24, 2024
A mock-up single dorm in Neptune North sits with a bed, mini fridge and a desk. The Board of Trustees approved a funds request to convert 150 single beds into double dorms. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

[Photo] Neptune to turn single dorms into doubles

By Gabby Crabtree, News Editor
March 22, 2024
The Illinois Supreme court begins the oral argument of People v. Flournoy on March 21 in the Duke Ellington Ballroom. NIU invited the Illinois Supreme Court to listen to two oral arguments to spread awareness of the judicial branch and how court proceedings differ at the highest level of review. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

The Illinois Supreme Court visits NIU

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
March 21, 2024
A “HUSKIES VOTE” sign sits in the Holmes Student Center. Democrat Amy Murri Briel won the 76th district democratic primary election. (Gabby Crabtree | Northern Star)

Amy “Murri” Briel wins 76th District in primary

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
March 20, 2024
A laptop sits with the CommonApp open. Illinois passed a bill to allow Illinois community college students to have automatic admission to any in-state, public university. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Direct admission opens up to community college students

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
March 18, 2024
A wall reading My Pantry resides in Neptune Dining Hall marking the spot for students who need special food accommodations. NIU has prepared on-the-go meals for students that are allergen free. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

Finding food accommodations on campus

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
March 7, 2024
Steven Jamrog, 21, faces the camera. Jamrog, a Sycamore CUSD staff member, was arrested Tuesday on six counts of aggravated battery. (Courtesy of the Sycamore Police Department)

Sycamore School District employee arrested for battery

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
March 1, 2024
The Alebrije Mykel, a toad, butterfly and alien chimera stands above library-goers on the first floor of Founders Memorial Library. Twenty-two pieces from the “Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World” will be showcased in the Founders Memorial Library until Nov. 8. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Mexican folkloric creatures, “Alebrijes,” roam the library

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
February 28, 2024
Mayor Cohen Barnes (from left), 5th Ward Alderman Scott McAdams, 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic and 7th Ward Alderman John Walker sit and debate the possible implications of the nuisance gathering ordinances passing. The City Council on Monday centered around amendments to an ordinance adding offenses committed by an increase in nuisance gatherings in DeKalb. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

City Council fights over enforcements to nuisance gatherings

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
February 27, 2024
A poster with a QR code to a petition for an Indigenous Resource Center at NIU hangs up on the bulletin board in Einstein’s Bros. Bagels. The petition lasts until February 29, 2024, and asks NIU to create a resource center to add onto the verbal acknowledgements the college makes. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Students petition for Indigenous Resource Center

By Rachel Cormier and Gabby Crabtree
February 22, 2024
Faculty Senate members sit at tables and discuss the changes to faculty senate bylaws. On Wednesday at the Faculty Senate meeting in Altgeld Hall the bylaw amendments were updated to include clinical faculty distinctions and changes to NIUs mission values. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Faculty Senate bylaws acknowledge clinical faculty

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
February 22, 2024
Ke’ra Craig, a first-year theology major, taps her One Card on the card reader to unlock a door to Neptune Hall. On Wednesday, NIU had a software issue causing One Card readers to temporarily stop working. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

OneCard glitch caused lock outs

By Rachel Cormier and Hannah Soukup
February 22, 2024
George Middlemist, vice president and chief financial officer discusses NIUs budget for the 2024 fiscal year between NIU President Lisa Freeman (left) and Dennis Barsema, board secretary of the NIU Board of Trustees. NIUs Finance, Audit, Compliance, Facilities and Operations Committee approved the universitys quarterly financial projections on Feb. 15. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU to increase tuition, housing, student health insurance

By Rachel Cormier and Gabby Crabtree
February 16, 2024
At the start of the second quarter, senior forward Tara Stauffacher (21) talks to her teammates during the game Wednesday. When the second quarter started, the NIU Huskies were up 15-10. (Katie Follmer | Northern Star)

Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists hosting food drive

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
February 15, 2024
Frank Dicaccio, DeKalbs asylum seekers citizens committee representative, shares the committees progress to the Council and the audience on Monday at the City Council meeting. The asylum seekers citizens committee is gathering assistance from local non-profits to accommodate migrants seeking asylum in the Chicago-land area. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

City Council discusses migrants finding refuge in Dekalb

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
February 13, 2024
A phone lays on a table, open to the NIU Safe app main page. NIU has modified the criteria for what crimes are considered for a safety alert. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

What’s up With: NIU Safety Notifications?

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
February 12, 2024
DeKalb Director of Utilities and Transportation Bryan Faivre (center) raises a glass of water at the Illinois Section American Water Works Association District 1 Water Taste Test Competition alongside representatives from engineering firm Willett Hofmann and Associates. DeKalb won first place in the district on Jan. 26 in Freeport. (Courtesy of the City of DeKalb)

DeKalb wins ‘Best Tasting Water’ in district

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
February 7, 2024
Altgeld stands tall surrounded by leafless trees. Ten-day enrollment for spring 2024 stated a 1% decrease in student enrollment compared to spring 2023. (Northern Star file photo)

Ten-day enrollment numbers shows stagnancy

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
February 5, 2024
First-year history major Michael Ingram waves the Palestinian flag with one hand while he sits on top of the “N” of the “Huskie Pride” sculpture in MLK Commons. Students protested in support of Palestine for the second consecutive week last Friday in MLK Commons. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

‘From the river to the sea,’ brings controversy to NIU

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
February 5, 2024
A road closed sign sits surrounded by snow. University Council at 3 p.m. Jan. 31 discussed 10-day enrollment and the Normal Road closure. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Spring enrollment sees minimal changes

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
January 31, 2024
A copy of “Cassell’s New Latin Dictionary” sits on the top shelf in the language and literature section on the third floor of Founder’s Memorial Library. Latin was last taught at NIU in the spring of 2022. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU confirms retired languages: Latin and Chinese

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
January 30, 2024
Junior elementary education major Sarah Salem steps forward from the crowd Thursday to address another person’s comment on boycotting stores like McDonald’s and Starbucks. “Israeli people have privileges from our tax dollars that we don’t even have. They are given subsidized housing. They are given free education. They are given free healthcare,” Salem said. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Pro-Palestine supporters protest in MLK Commons

By Rachel Cormier, Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, and Sean Reed
January 25, 2024
A silver car crosses the intersection of Lincoln Highway and Annie Glidden Road Wednesday in DeKalb. Illinois State Police are running a new “Road Rage, Don’t Engage” campaign to help combat road rage. (Sean Reed | Northern Star

Illinois State Police campaigns against road rage

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
January 24, 2024
Eric Armstrong, vice president of the DeKalb Area Alano Club advocates for funding for his organization on Monday at the City Council meeting. The city approved a list of human services grants to various local non-profits in DeKalb. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

City council grants $700,000 for non-profit, economic development

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
January 23, 2024
Stephanie Meyn, a Cortland resident, shares a Crumbl chocolate chip cookie with her 17-month-old son Zachary. Meyn received a free chocolate chip cookie for having the store’s mobile app downloaded at the grand opening. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Crumbl Cookies comes to DeKalb

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
January 21, 2024
Crumbl baker, Ariana Cantu, packs a 12-pack box of cookies for a customer Friday. The cookie store opens at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, closing at 10 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and at midnight for the rest of each week. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

IN PICTURES: Community catches craving for Crumbl Cookies

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
January 21, 2024
NIUs Latino Center stands surrounded by leafless trees. NIU is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution meeting many of the requirements. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU to become Hispanic Serving Institution

By Rachel Cormier and Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon
January 17, 2024
A communal bathroom sits empty on the second floor of Neptune Hall West. Neptune experienced an issue with a boiler valve resulting in a lack of hot water. (Northern Star File Photo)

Neptune residents start semester without hot water

By Rachel Cormier and Michael Mollsen
January 17, 2024
Sister Cindy, a Christian advocate, preaches to the crowd of NIU students. Sister Cindy visited NIU’s campus Sept. 18 in the MLK Commons. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

[Photo] IN PICTURES: Fall breezes by, recapping semester

By Northern Star Staff
December 11, 2023
A display case with a mannequin and banner from First Nations Native Alliance displays Native agriculture and food from the “Good Food” exhibit in Cole Hall. NIU’s Land Acknowledgement recognizes the original Indigenous populations that inhabited the land NIU stands on. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU’s land acknowledgement, explained

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
December 10, 2023
Altgeld Hall stands in the distance on a clear snowy day. Campus Dining Services and Building Services workers voiced their concerns during the public comment section of the Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 7. (Northern Star File Photo)

AFSCME Local 963 voices concern for working conditions

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
December 8, 2023
Rows of desks sit empty in a classroom on the third floor of Reavis Hall. NIU began reducing low-enrollment courses in July. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

$32 million deficit puts low enrollment courses at risk

By Brandon Clark and Rachel Cormier
December 6, 2023
A line of people wait outside the doors of Excelleaf before its grand opening. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Excelleaf grand opening promotes ‘high’ hopes for DeKalb

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
December 3, 2023
Opportunity DeKalb administer Chad Glover describes the benefits of Project Launchpad to the City Council on Nov. 27 at the City Council meeting. Project Launchpad would provide virtual business courses for DeKalb residents. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

DeKalb to offer business classes to residents

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
November 28, 2023
“Trans lives are sacred!” is written in sidewalk chalk in front of the Jack Arends Hall. The Transgender Day of Rememberance is a yearly observance on Nov. 20 for individuals who’ve lose their lives to anti-transgender violence. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

[Photo] NIU to hold Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 20, 2023
A DeKalb firefighter walks around from the ladder truck to the front of The Terraces at DeKalb. A fire broke out around 10 p.m. Sunday at the apartment complex. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

BREAKING: Structure fire at The Terraces, fire out

By Rachel Cormier and Michael Mollsen
November 20, 2023
City Manager Bill Nicklas discusses the citys tax rates with the Council. The City Council approved the citys annual property tax levy at the City Council meeting on Nov. 13. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Corporate levy to increase home value, not taxes

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
November 14, 2023
Jay Jarvis, program assistant for transfer programming, takes off on their Apollo electric scooter outside the Peter Campus Life Building. NIU students and faculty are using e-vehicles to travel around campus. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

[Photo] Riding in style or convenience?

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 13, 2023
Three students stand at podiums while presenting and talking. The SGA rejected a proposed statement and petition intended to address Muslim student concerns about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war on Nov. 10. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

SGA fails statement, petition for lack of Jewish voices

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
November 12, 2023
Two chicken Strips from The Grill at Stevenson Dining Center sit out on a desk. Students can order a five-piece chicken strip with any side choice and a drink for at the dining center for one meal swipe. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

NIU eats 53,000 pounds of chicken tenders

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
November 6, 2023
Three students stand at podiums while presenting and talking. The SGA tabled the decision to release a statement on the associations position on the Israel-Hamas conflict for the next meeting on Nov. 10. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

SGA addresses student concerns on Israel-Hamas crisis

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
November 5, 2023
Students gather near Sweet Butts Cotton Candy, the food truck serving cotton candy on Wednesday. The food trucks were located on Normal Road near the Holmes Student Center. (Ariyonna McGahee | Northern Star)

Food Truck Wednesday hits the road

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
October 31, 2023
Cub Scout Pack #104 attends the DeKalb City Council meeting on Oct. 23. The Cub Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of Monday’s meeting. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Greek Life Center construction extends to 2025

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter
October 24, 2023
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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.

Our Coverage

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