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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 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, News 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 Reporter | 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 7, 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 | November 30, 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 Reporter | 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...

Altgeld Hall sits under a cloudy sky. Enrollment is down for another fall semester. (Northern Star File Photo)

University Council: Enrollment down, ‘painful’ budget changes

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | September 13, 2023

DeKALB – NIU President Lisa Freeman has revealed some of the numbers from this year’s 10-day enrollment report and discussed plans for NIU’s multi-year budgeting. On Wednesday during the first University Council meeting of the semester, Freeman...

Cars drive under the newly painted NIU underpass mural entering and leaving the NIU campus on Annie Glidden Road. The mural was a collaboration between NIU and the city of DeKalb funded from a grant to create more public art in DeKalb. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

New NIU mural welcomes students to Huskie Nation

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | August 31, 2023

DeKALB - Huskie Nation has a defining new entrance with the unveiling of the mural painted on the Annie Glidden Road underpass. Huskies can now see new NIU decor around campus from the new NIU logo street signs and the visible red and black “Huskie...

Students on Sunday sitting at the president's picnic. The president's picnic was an opportunity for students to meet NIU President Lisa Freeman while participating activities such as volleyball, kayaking and outdoor games. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Week of Welcome ends, classes begin

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | August 28, 2023

DeKALB – The last day of the Week of Welcome wrapped up Sunday with the annual President's Picnic. Students gathered outside of the East Lagoon and participated in games such as volleyball, bags and Kanjam, while others paddled in kayaks and canoes. Student...

(From left) Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Lauren Underwood and NIU President Lisa Freeman begin their tour of the clean room lab Wednesday on the second floor of the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Underwood previously visited the lab on Jan. 20 after she secured a grant for NIU, one of the 15 projects selected for Community Projects Funding in May 2022. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Members of Congress visit NIU, update microchip funding

By Rachel Cormier and Caleb Johnson | April 5, 2023

DeKALB – Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Lauren Underwood provided an update on the $1 million in funding for the Advanced Electronics Initiative and the $1.5 million in funding for a new microchip fabrication lab in the College of Engineering and Engineering...

Illinois Representative Jeff Keicher (left), NIU President Lisa Freeman and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in conversation after a press conference Tuesday. During this press conference, Pritzker spoke on college funding and ensuring affordable education for Illinois students. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Pritzker discusses college funding at NIU

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | April 4, 2023

Editor's note: This piece was updated at approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday to include more information. DeKALB – With a historic push on higher education, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker emphasized the funding that his proposed fiscal year 2024 budget...