Skip to Main Content

Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

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...

A huskie puppy holds a voting ballot in its mouth with its front paws up on a ballot box that reads “Vote!” Primary elections are just as important as general elections, and college students should participate in the upcoming Illinois primary elections. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

Editorial: Primary elections need your vote

By Northern Star Editorial Board | March 3, 2024

Primary elections are coming up, and it’s of the utmost importance to vote in them, even as college students. The Illinois primary elections are the elections that determine who will be on the ballot in November for the general elections. Tasha...

A newspaper lays open on a table to a page that reads “Letters to the Editor.” The Northern Star does not receive many letters to the editor, but the Northern Star Editorial Board would love to see readers sending in more! (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Editorial: Letters to the editor benefit journalism

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | February 25, 2024

The last letter to the editor the Northern Star published was in February 2023. Don’t be shy, readers, send in more! WHAT ARE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR? A letter to the editor is written by a reader and delivered to a publication, often to share a...

A locker room is divided down the middle with aging and broken lockers on one side and sparkling, new lockers on the other. The Rec Center’s new locker room renovations are a good start, but much more could be done. (Debbie Allen | Northern Star)

Editorial: Rec Center renovations good, but not enough

By Northern Star Editorial Board | February 11, 2024

The NIU Recreation Center renovations have finally addressed the locker rooms’ glaring issues, but there is still a lot more work to be done. From the dark stains on the carpet to ugly blue lockers that began rusting what looked like years ago, the...

A group of students gather outside an SGA meeting. The Northern Star Editorial Board is disappointed that the SGA would let another petition, aimed as helping students, fail. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

SGA disappoints by failing another petition

By Northern Star Editorial Board | November 26, 2023

NIU’s Student Government Association has failed students again by overthinking approval of another petition.  The SGA now has two failed petitions, proving its failure to help students.  A petition is the SGA’s highest form of authority; and...

A group of Northern Star staffers sit around a table. The Northern Star Editorial Board outlines the basics of news literacy. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Editorial: ‘The truth shall bear all light,’ journalism explained

By Northern Star Editorial Board | November 12, 2023

Not everyone understands the function of news or news organizations, so the Northern Star Editorial Board is outlining its functions and the capabilities of journalism. The Society for Professional Journalism: “Members of the Society of Professional...

Editorial: Victor E. statue falls short of expectations

By Northern Star Editorial Board | November 5, 2023

A new Victor E. Huskie statue was unveiled in downtown DeKalb. While a nice gesture, it's ugly. The statue is a painted Victor E. mascot holding up the Huskie hand symbol. However, the statue isn’t even a 1:1 recreation. It is significantly shorter...

An illustration of Paul McCartney sits under the words “Paul Lives on!” The Northern Star Editorial Board apologizes to the singer for encouraging false rumors of his death. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Editorial: Northern Star apologizes to Paul McCartney 54 years later

By Northern Star Editorial Board | September 24, 2023

The Northern Star Editorial Board would like to sincerely apologize to Paul McCartney, a musical icon, for our false Sept. 23, 1969, print issue that unethically speculated that he was dead. In 2004, the Star finally decided to yield to the truth...