Pass: Campus Rec to stay open longerThe Student Recreation Center is set to extend its operating hours starting Monday according to an NIU Today release.Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I plan on taking advantage of the extended times. I accepted...
Kim RandallAdding major-specific courses to NIU’s general education is key to enhancing the university’s curriculum and benefiting students.This change could make students more engrossed in their studies, boost grades and even increase participation...
Darla Cook and Jaelyn Paulsen got married Monday night.After a hectic, last-minute legal scramble, the same-sex couple is the first to marry legally in DeKalb County.Cook, 57, and Paulsen, 50, had a civil union March 17, 2010, and wanted to keep the day...
Pass: Winter weather is finally letting upIn a fit of anxious excitement, I’ve been checking the weekly forecast all weekend.Guess what? Most of this week appears to feature the most consistent streak of habitable weather conditions we’ve experienced...
If you’re a fan of the Northern Star’s comic strip, “The Punchline is Corn,” you’ve got a lot to look forward to after spring break.The Northern Star has been hard at work with strip artist Mike Dean to compile a collection of nearly 200 comics...
Ariel OwensWhile NIU has endless opportunities for current students, the university needs to focus on its potential students.NIU provides many organizations and groups for students to be involved with; it’s one of my favorite things about being a student...
Professors don’t use midterms to torture us as if we were war criminals at Guantanamo Bay — at least I don’t think they do.Regardless of how I feel about insanity-inducing exams, they are useful beyond knocking students’ grades down a few letters.“[Midterms...
Ice sucks. We learned all about that this winter. We’re also enjoying how much ice sucks paired with a salt shortage.Without salt, keeping the roads safe to drive on is not easy. But, if you slip while crossing the street or walking around, don’t...
Pass: Betties raise $1K at Sunday eventI’ve seen the Barbed Wire Betties in action before, so learning they raised $1,873 at their weekend fundraiser is awesome.If there’s anything those crazy derby ladies deserve it’s the community’s recognition...
NIU needs a more integrated community. Let’s start with student musicians.The College Grind, a new coffee shop in the Holmes Student Center, hosts Live Music Mondays every week. Since its grand opening, I’ve considered the College Grind a place where...
Advisory leads to course confusionThe word of the day is “ambiguous.” If you need a definition, it was likely included in the NIU text advisory sent out in regard to Monday’s nasty weather.NIU issued a text advisory just after 11 a.m. Monday with...
Friday’s chilling winds accompanied memories of the Feb. 14, 2008, tragedy among the NIU community.At 3:06 p.m. the five bells remembering the five victims — Gayle Dubowski, Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gehant, Ryanne Mace and Daniel Parmenter — rang...
