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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Faculty Senate endorses gen. ed reform hesitantly

Faculty Senate endorses gen. ed reform hesitantly

By Margaret Maka | October 29, 2014

Faculty Senate endorsed a program that will reform gen. eds, but its members also expressed concern about the program’s pace and implementation plan at a meeting Wednesday.Progressive Learning in Undergraduate Studies aims to reform general education...

Faculty Senate to give gen. ed plan 2nd look

By Jackie Nevarez | October 29, 2014

Faculty Senate will continue its discussion of the operation and requirements of the Progressive Learning in Undergraduate Studies report today.Faculty Senate President Bill Pitney motioned to endorse the report Oct. 1, but the motion was postponed to...

Gen. ed recommended changes going to provost

Gen. ed recommended changes going to provost

By Ryan Ocasio | September 4, 2014

Students take notes during a calculus for business course Wednesday in Wirtz Auditorium. Progressive Learning in Undergraduate Studies, a taskforce dedicated to revamping general education, has suggested cutting the required number of credits for a bachelor’s degree if students take their general education courses at NIU, among other criteria.

Brandi Tibbitts, sophomore environmental studies major, studies for her finals Thursday at Founders Memorial Library.

Gen. eds to change based on feedback

By Rhea Riley | May 5, 2014

After receiving feedback from faculty and students, the PLUS Task Force is looking to make final adjustments to general education.The PLUS Task Force, which was assembled a year ago, is a group of faculty and students working on issues associated with...

Pass/Fail: NIU Plus has strong plans, Insurance fee hike not OK

By Kim Randall | April 20, 2014

Pass: NIU Plus has strong plansThe blueprint for the NIU Plus general education changes is a collection of ideas that need to be put into place soon.NIU has been undergoing a lot of changes to increase student retention and enrollment, improve student...

Letter to the Editor: Participate in gen. ed plan

By Michael Kolb | April 15, 2014

An editorial cartoon on March 31 depicted students confused about “NIU Plus” and other features of general education reform at NIU. We are delighted that students, and hopefully all constituencies of the of the NIU community, are becoming engaged...

Issues in Focus: What should NIU change first?

By Perspective Staff | March 19, 2014

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...

Correct approach can aid freshmen retention

By Northern Star Editorial Board | March 18, 2014

Keeping freshmen enrolled for a full year — and past their first year — has proven difficult for NIU.NIU should focus on three issues that plague incoming freshmen: Tailoring general education requirements to majors, implementing effective financial...

General education has flawed thinking

By Robert Schneider | February 5, 2014

The Northern Star Editorial Board asks, “Why can’t gen. ed courses teach information with real-life applications?” To answer I have to refute three common misconceptions:First, that classes should “teach information.” Gen. eds that only convey...

Tailor gen. eds to fit

By Northern Star Editorial Board | February 2, 2014

Gen. eds are the latest in a string of changes at NIU, and it is the program that needs the most help.If gen. eds are around to help students “attain a sound liberal education and to acquire sufficient general knowledge and intellectual versatility...

Changes to gen. eds debated

By Rhea Riley | January 30, 2014

The General Education Visioning Task Force hosted a symposium to discuss general education reform, allowing student and faculty opinions to be heard.In early 2013 the task force began examining curriculum reform so students can take courses that will...

Take more time in classes outside your major

By Kim Randall | September 4, 2013

College is a time for connecting students to an entire world of opportunities, experiences and — most importantly — the chance to learn new things.The things students learn in college can be great tools for making it out in the world when they graduate.Most...