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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 card reader system keeps a dorm room door locked, while posters explain how students can use their OneCards to access their dorms. Residential halls have various methods of security, but Opinion Columnist Ethan Ernst encourages students to remember the individual choice to not let strangers into halls should serve as another layer of security. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Don’t let in people who knock on dorms

By Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist | October 20, 2024

Residence hall security at NIU is extensive; Neptune Hall alone requires students to scan their keycard and use their keys at least twice just to enter their room. But this security can be problematic for careless students. Just a few weeks ago, I...

A young woman with a cu of coffee watering plants in front of a window in her dorm room.

Plants that can survive the dorm life

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | February 20, 2023

To spruce up that bare dorm room, consider bringing the outdoors in.  Bringing nature into your room not only makes for excellent interior design, but also proves to have physiological and psychological benefits. According to a study published by...

A look into a community bathroom inside Neptune West.

OPINION: Dorm bathrooms are atrocious

By Parker Otto | February 10, 2022
Experiencing community bathrooms at college is a wild adventure.

NIU’s printing policy doesn’t make sense

By Jack Baker | October 2, 2011

I hate NIU's policy that allows students to only print one copy of a document at a time in the computer labs on campus.It is just annoying, and because it is so easy to get around, it serves no purpose.I have forgotten about the rule multiple times and...

Should students live in the residence halls for 2 years? Yes.

By Parker Happ | August 31, 2011

Knowledge is power not only while in class, but also when deciding on a major or getting involved in campus activities. Students who invest two years living on campus could become more involved in campus activities and feel an overall belonging to the...

Should students live in the residence halls for 2 years? No.

Should students live in the residence halls for 2 years? No.

By Alyssa Pracz | August 31, 2011

With the addition of a new residence hall currently being built, I wonder what will inspire NIU students to live in the residence halls after the mandatory one-year sentence is up? NIU could make it mandatory for students to live on campus for two years....

NIU needs to provide recycling options for students in the dorms

NIU needs to provide recycling options for students in the dorms

By Jack Baker | March 29, 2011

Currently, there is no way for students on their floors to recycle. This is pretty sad. NIU needs to implement a structured recycling program in its residence halls. I don't even want to think about the amount of recyclable materials that are thrown away...

NIU Dorm Life: Living in Douglas

By Allyson Martin | February 3, 2011

DeKALB | With room self selection starting up this month, the Northern Star will be looking at what each residence has to offer. Check back over the next several issues to read about which hall would fit you best. Douglas Hall is located across from the...

Dorm of the Month: Decorations color dorm

By Jack Baker | November 11, 2010

An explosion of color was the best phrase freshman nursing major Amy Wilson could use to describe her’s and Katie DeVita’s, freshman special education major,  Lincoln Hall room.The room just kind of came together, Wilson said. She and DeVita did...

New to campus? Know your do’s and don’ts for NIU

By Demarcus Robinson | August 19, 2010

Being a freshman or transfer student can prevent various obstacles to those coming in. You may not be familiar with dealing with other students in a dorm-type setting which can present various pitfalls. The Northern Star would like to present soem things...