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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

Three students stand at podiums while presenting and talking. The SGA approved a resolution on Dec. 1 addressing students impacted by the Israel-Hamas war. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

SGA reworks Israel-Hamas statement, acknowledges students

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | December 3, 2023

DeKALB – After failing to pass a petition, the SGA made good on promises to support student concerns over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. A resolution condemning any behavior that invalidates and endangers those grieving from the recent events of the...

A group of students gather outside an SGA meeting. The Northern Star Editorial Board is disappointed that the SGA would let another petition, aimed as helping students, fail. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

SGA disappoints by failing another petition

By Northern Star Editorial Board | November 26, 2023

NIU’s Student Government Association has failed students again by overthinking approval of another petition.  The SGA now has two failed petitions, proving its failure to help students.  A petition is the SGA’s highest form of authority; and...

Three students stand at podiums while presenting and talking. The SGA rejected a proposed statement and petition intended to address Muslim student concerns about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war on Nov. 10. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

SGA fails statement, petition for lack of Jewish voices

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | November 12, 2023

DeKALB – The SGA rejected its proposed statement regarding the Israel-Hamas war written in response to Muslim students’ safety. The association rejected a similar petition, which would have recommended NIU provide educational and mental health...

Three students stand at podiums while presenting and talking. The SGA tabled the decision to release a statement on the association's position on the Israel-Hamas conflict for the next meeting on Nov. 10. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

SGA addresses student concerns on Israel-Hamas crisis

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | November 5, 2023

Editor's Note: This piece was updated to reflect that Hensley stated that he issued 3 warnings, not 33. DeKALB – Students filled the back rows of Friday’s SGA meeting, awaiting the approval of a statement addressing SGA’s position on the ongoing...

Stanley Anukwuocha speaks to the SGA senate left of Speaker Cole Hensley. SGA elected it's 2024 Spring Board of Elections. (Brandon Clark | Northern Star)

SGA looks to promote elections

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | October 22, 2023

DeKALB – The Student Government Association elected its 2024 Spring Board of Elections on Friday. After SGA President Olivia Newman failed to appoint an election commissioner by the deadline, the SGA had no choice but to nominate candidates without...

SGA board members approve past reports on the agenda on Oct. 13 at the SGA meeting in the Holmes Student Center. The board approved Stonehouse Academic Journal as a student organization on Friday. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Stonehouse Academic Journal recognized at SGA

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | October 15, 2023

DeKALB – The student publication Stonehouse Academic Journal was approved as a student organization at the SGA meeting on Friday. The publication is a student-run academic organization, sponsored by NIU’s XI Delta Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. The...

Kanaan Deer stands to the left of SGA Speaker Cole Hensley and SGA Deputy Speaker Chris English. Deer was appointed as SGA director of Greek Affairs during Friday's SGA senate meeting. (Brandon Clark | Northern Star)

SGA appoints 4 new leadership roles

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | October 1, 2023

Editor's Note: This title and piece has been revised to confirm that the SGA only appointed 2 Senator positions and the recent bill passed allows for Board of Election members the exception to abstain from reviewing potential candidates if the only affiliation...

Student Government Association members review their agenda on Sept. 22 at the SGA meeting in the Holmes Student Center. Political science major Alexandra Alcantar was named the new director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the SGA committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Friday's meeting. (Brandon Clark | Northern Star)

SGA diversity director ready for ‘authentic change’

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | September 23, 2023

DeKALB – On Friday, the Student Government Association appointed senior political science major Alexandra Alcantar as the new director of SGA’s committee of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  Alcantar made her bid unopposed and shared a history...

The Student Government Association sign located in the Holmes Student Center ground floor in the OASIS space in 2022. SGA Senator Chris English was elected the new deputy speaker for the 2023-2024 school year on Sept. 15, at the SGA meeting. (Northern Star File Photo)

SGA: Appoints deputy speaker; passes 2 bills

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | September 17, 2023

DeKALB – The Student Government Association started the semester with a new deputy speaker who left no doubt that change was on the horizon.  SGA Senator Chris English became the new deputy speaker after making his bid and receiving full endorsements...

Senator Cole Hensley (right) gives his speech for speaker of the Senate to the SGA. Cole Hensley will be speaker of the Senate for the 55th session for the next academic year.

Cole Hensley named SGA speaker for Fall 2023

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | April 30, 2023

DeKALB – Cole Hensley was named the Student Government Association’s speaker of the Senate with a vote of 11 to 6 against interim Speaker Debbie Allen. Hensley advocated for more disciplined leadership in his speech where he said he would hold...

Room 405 of the Holmes Student Center in the Holmes Tower. The SGA's past Public Affairs meetings have been canelled or moved online. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

SGA violates OMA, promises better fall semester

By Rachel Cormier and Bridgette Fox | April 24, 2023

DeKALB – The Student Government Association has continuously failed to upload minutes and agendas for every SGA meeting online to Huskie Hub, violating the Open Meetings Act. The Northern Star became aware of this on April 11 and April 18 when attempting...

Speaker Debbie Allen, a senior international relations major, delivering topic points during Friday's SGA meeting. The meeting discussed the confirmation of directors of student life and chief of staff. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

SGA confirms director of student life

By Evan Mellon, News Reporter | April 23, 2023

Correction: This piece has been updated to reflect that Duane Meighan has not been confirmed as chief of staff. DeKALB – The Student Government Association confirmed a director of student life for the SGA cabinet. Both the director of student...