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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU students’ comedy Web series posted to Funny or Die

By Northern Star staff | February 25, 2015

“Technical Difficulties,” a Web series directed by an NIU instructor, was posted Feb. 10 on comedy website Funny or Die.Music instructor Anthony Perrella and several students shot the five-episode series in the fall. The series follows a group of...

Make Secret Santa gifts unforgettable

By Kevin Bartelt | December 7, 2014

The easiest way to insult me is with a generic Secret Santa gift.Apply these tips and become what everyone’s talking about under the watercooler’s mistletoe. Also, I find it highly unethical your work environment has a mistletoe.ResearchI swear to...

In Focus: What’s the worst Thanksgiving food?

By Northern Star Staff | November 24, 2014

Arthur AumannCasseroleThe worst Thanksgiving food is without a doubt casserole.It doesn’t even matter what kind of casserole — broccoli, ham, cheese — because it’s all the same. There’s always that obscure relative who claims he or she has the...

Sunglasses with print on the inside are as confusing as roommates moving mid-semester after you introduce yourself to their parents. This item joins Scene Editor Kevin Bartelt’s list of unnecessary NIU apparel. Other articles of clothing on the list include an “I burp red and black” bib and NIU underwear.

NIU apparel worth covering up

By Kevin Bartelt | November 11, 2014

Although I wake up every morning draped in my Huskie robe and sing the alma mater with the geese, there is some NIU apparel I could do without.“I burp red and black” bibBurping colors would be an incredibly dangerous and trippy experience. This bib...

5 tips to fight off ghouls

By Kevin Bartelt | October 29, 2014

You can’t catch a break from monsters these days.They’re always under beds, hanging out in the closet or crossing your path in kitten form. Protect yourself by applying my advice.Removing the bed frame makes it incredibly difficult for monsters to...

Heartwarming songs like “Ms. Jackson” by Outkast are a nice addition to one’s Homecoming playlist.

Homecoming Playlist

By Kevin Bartelt | October 8, 2014

Homecoming, or in layman’s term “coming home,” requires a groundbreaking, epic playlist to act as one’s survival guide.I’m being modest when I say listening to my profoundly prolific Homecoming mixtape is like finding out Professor Albus Dumbledore...

Weekend Preview: Oct. 9-Oct. 11

By Kevin Bartelt | October 8, 2014

ThursdayWhat: Pumpkin Spice and Everything NiceWhen: 11 a.m.Where: Ellington’s RestaurantCost: $10What: Legend ManeWhen: 9:30 p.m.Where: The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln HighwayCost: $7FridayWhat: Steve SmoothWhen: 11 p.m.Where: Rosy’s Roadhouse, 930...

Alumnus connects decades of writing in trilogy

By Kevin Bartelt | October 6, 2014

Alumnus Richard Engling fuses experiences with “things just totally invented” in portions of his trilogy, which will be released today.The Afterlife Trilogy covers more than 35 years of writing and includes work from author Fern Chertow, who died...

Second City gives 1st-rate show at Convo

By Kevin Bartelt | October 5, 2014

Unanticipated jokes kept Second City improvisers on their toes and me on the edge of my seat at The Second City 55th Anniversary Tour Friday.The performance, which took place at the Convocation Center and attracted more adults than students, included...

McCartney death conspiracy lives on

By Kevin Bartelt | September 22, 2014

The ghost of Paul McCartney may one day haunt — or maybe it’s already haunting — the Northern Star office.Rumors of McCartney’s death began in 1966 after the Beatles’ bassist was supposedly in a fatal accident and was replaced by a lookalike....

What’s your opinion on NIU’s redesigned webpage for current students?

By Northern Star Staff | August 24, 2014

Kevin BarteltThe update to NIU.edu’s Current Student portal provides much more clarity than the prior page.The page’s list layout is easier to read than the boxed-off sections before the change.The best part of the Current Student update is the helpful...

In Focus: What are your thoughts on campus construction?

By Northern Star Staff | July 20, 2014

Kevin BarteltI have mixed feelings about the campus construction this summer.I’m excited because the bike paths, a renovated Stevens building and removing Douglas are huge steps in renovating the campus. NIU will look noticeably better in the upcoming...