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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Illinois State Capitol is pictured on a clear day. NIU President Lisa Freeman, along with Gov. JB Pritzker and a large delegation of business, government and civic leaders, attended a trade mission in Mexico City from March 30 to April 2 to represent NIU economic interests and relations with Mexico. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

NIU President Lisa Freeman represents NIU at a trade mission in Mexico

By Joseph Ndu, Senior News Reporter | April 13, 2025

DeKALB – NIU President Lisa Freeman, along with Gov. JB Pritzker and a large delegation of business, government and civic leaders, attended a trade mission in Mexico City from March 30 to April 2 to represent NIU economic interests and relations with...

NIU President Lisa Freeman (from left), NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics Sean Frazier and Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach pose for a photo-op after a press conference Thursday at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The university announced Thursday it will send its non-football sports, except for gymnastics and wrestling, to the Horizon League in 2026. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU finalizes move to Horizon League for non-football sports in 2026

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 27, 2025

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5 p.m. to include NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier’s comments on NIU’s financial savings from the conference move and Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach’s...

A photo shows NIU President Lisa Freeman speaking at a question and answer session after her State of the University address. Freeman said the University is focused on keeping higher education accessible in times of uncertainty. (Naomi Kelly | Northern Star)

Lisa Freeman expresses ‘sense of optimism’ at State of the University address

By Naomi Kelly, News Reporter | February 26, 2025

DeKALB- NIU President Lisa Freeman emphasized a focus of maintaining access to opportunity and academic excellence in light of budget and position control concerns in her State of the University address on Tuesday. Freeman reflected on a year of academic...

A graphic shows the three highest paid employees at NIU. The Northern Star's Salary Issue includes the salaries of all full-time employees. (Anthony Becker | Northern Star)

How NIU decides its salaries

By Brynn Krug, Editor in Chief | February 23, 2025

In Northern Illinois University’s budget, personnel costs account for 55.77% of the funds.  The salaries of NIU’s employees have increased by 4% to 9% each year, according to John Acardo, senior associate vice president and chief human resource...

NIU football players run onto the field before the Huskies’ 117th Homecoming game against the University of Toledo on Oct. 19 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. NIU will play its final season in the Mid-American Conference in 2025 before joining the Mountain West Conference as a football-only affiliate. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

BREAKING: NIU to join Mountain West as football affiliate in 2026

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 7, 2025

Editor’s note: This is an ongoing breaking news story. This story will be updated when more information becomes available. DeKALB – NIU will officially join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member starting in 2026, leaving the Mid-American...

A Jewel mascot walks through the Jewel-Osco store at the Jewel Jamboree event. At the event, students received free items such as snacks and drinks. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Week of Welcome provides fun events for students

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | August 26, 2024

DeKALB – From Aug. 21 through Aug. 25, Week of Welcome events occurred across campus for new and returning students. Events throughout the week included a campfire to Corn Fest. WOW Campfire Connections: From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday...

NIU President Lisa Freeman answers a question from Faculty Senate President Ben Creed on the current state of the university’s campus. The address consisted of a conversation between Freeman and Creed and a 10-minute question and answer session. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Freeman touts accomplishments, students protest at State of the University address

By Devin Oommen, News Editor | February 9, 2024

DeKALB – President Lisa Freeman spoke at Thursday’s State of the University, advocating for a push for the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s goals, specifically a push to recruit transfer students. TRANSFER ADMISSIONS Freeman spoke about NIU’s...

Altgeld Hall stands in the distance on a clear snowy day. Campus Dining Services and Building Services workers voiced their concerns during the public comment section of the Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 7. (Northern Star File Photo)

AFSCME Local 963 voices concern for working conditions

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | December 8, 2023

DeKALB – Disappointed public comments from staff of Campus Dining Services and Building Services started Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting. Manny Diaz, a building service worker, took to the mic to protest a denied request to stay as a custodial...

NIU President Lisa Freeman and Executive Assistant Liz Wright pose with members of the NIU police force Thursday at the President’s Holiday Gathering in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium. The Holiday Gathering was open to staff and students to connect with each other. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

President Freeman connects students, staff at holiday gathering

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | December 1, 2023

DeKALB – NIU staff and students decked Altgeld Hall with boughs of holly as the fall semester comes to a close. NIU President Lisa Freeman welcomed staff and students to the annual President’s Holiday Gathering held in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium....

Altgeld Hall, the meeting place for University Council, sits under a cloudy sky. Tim Paquette, director of Counseling and Consultation Services, and Kelly Olson, associate vice president for Student Development and dean of students, discussed the progress of the mental health early action act on campus update. (Northern Star File Photo)

Peer counseling, technology updates for mental health

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | October 11, 2023

DeKALB – An update of the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act’s utilization at NIU was discussed at Wednesday’s University Council meeting. MENTAL HEALTH EARLY ACTION ON CAMPUS ACT UPDATE The Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act is...

Rows of lettuce, kale and other greens at Anderson Hall are grown as a part of the Edible Campus program. One of the goals of the sustainability plan is to incorporate these crops into part of the school’s dining plan. (Josephine Dunmore | Northern Star)

Campus sustainability proposes green initiatives for NIU

By Devin Oommen, News Editor | October 2, 2023

DeKALB – NIU has proposed a sustainability plan to do its part in the efforts to slow the effects of climate change. ​​In 2022, NIU President Lisa Freeman signed the Second Nature President’s Climate Leadership Carbon Commitment. The commitment...

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