Jack Baker, columnist NIU has done a great job of making plans to improve the campus. With the new residence hall, renovations to both Cole Hall and Grant, the new outdoor recreation complex and other projects, the campus will be looking much better in...

Thank God it's spring and the weather is getting nicer. I'm like a little kid that constantly wants to play outside. What constitutes "playing" is a broad range of activities, but if I can't play, I pout. It wasn't until I saw a doctor two years ago during...

"Life is good," "Life sucks," pictures of people passed out, pictures of you eating an ice cream cone, pictures of you hiding behind some creepy guy to point at him and ironically tag him later as being creepy, links to Lil B's "Wonton Soup," joining...

Gov. Quinn's budget proposal has come under some criticism for its plans to cut $1.3 billion in education. One portion of that cut includes cutting all funding of the state-mandated Regional Offices of Education. If you're like I was and have no clue...

There is no doubt in my mind that younger people are some of the least motivated or educated when it comes to politics. Are they willfully avoiding politics, though? I don't think so. Younger people are just that; they are young. It takes a while for...

Jack Baker, columnist My solution to the budget problem is pretty simple: Stop spending money! The State of Illinois can't keep raising taxes and borrowing money in order to pay the bills if they're then going to still increase the overall budget by $1.7...

In Focus question: For many, Valentine’s Day is a holiday to celebrate love and relationships. For others, it is just S.A.D. (Singles Awareness Day). How will you be spending your Valentine’s Day?Aaron Brooks, columnistUnfortunately I will be in class...

Jack Baker, columnist Last semester, I didn't really do those reading assignments for class. When a teacher would assign a chapter to read in the textbook, I would think to myself, "sweet, no homework." But that's going to change. I actually bought all...