NIU’s enrollment rate has been showing constant decreases over many years. According to the Daily Chronicle from the Spring 2016 semester to Spring 2017 there has been a 5.5% decline which has been one of the largest drops in enrollment since 1980.
With this evidence presented you have to question “What seems to be the problem at NIU?” This question could possibly be answered by the recent scandal NIU has recently dealt with involving former President of Northern Illinois University Doug Baker or even the violence presence in the DeKalb area. This past summer of 2017 Doug Baker was accused of mismanaging money of the university by giving 9 independent contractor employees salaries much more than what was needed. Out of those independent contractors Doug Baker has paid them 400,000 each for working a length of 15 to 18 months placing them as the 3rd and 4th highest paid employees at the university. It was also explained that more than $1 million have gone to these employees including travel expenses and on campus lodging for only just 5 employees. With this evidence presented Doug Baker soon resigned. This sparks so much animosity with the students because not only is it money missing students who can barely afford to attend NIU have to deal with the school’s Housing price increase. The leader of NIU at the time basically overfunded a select few employees that wasn’t deserved and at the moment we have Acting President Lisa Freeman trying to pick up on what has happened to a university fresh out of a scandal. Some may even argue that the constant shootings in DeKalb has had a negative impact on students enough to fear for their safety. According the FBI source Neighborhood Scout website , DeKalb, IL is only safer than just 9% of the cities. This stat would only further add fuel to the fire as to why students feel that Northern Illinois University isn’t the ideal location to receive their education. -Corzair Watkins NABJNIU Reporter
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Director: Ryan Coogler
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Letitia WrightForest Whitaker, Angela Bassett... Budget: 200 million Opening Box Office: 476 million Synopsis: T'Challa returns home to Wakanda following the death of his father and late King of Wakanda, T'Chaka. T'Challa takes the throne as the new King of Wakanda but is soon faced with many issues as an old enemy threatens Wakanda. In his pursuit of an old enemy, T'Challa is faced with a new and more dangerous enemy. His title as King and the Black Panther is challenged and the fate of Wakanda is thrown into the fire. T'Challa must master the true power of the Black Panther in order to save Wakanda and maintain his place as King. Review: Black Panther brought in a new era of Marvel movies as it introduced one of the most affluent Marvel characters into the MCU. Ryan Coogler delivers a visually stunning movie like none other Marvel films before it. The scenery and cinematography are beautiful and the pays homage to the beauty of Africa. Th casting is done perfectly as each actor and actress plays their role well. Every character is distinctive and has a strong presence no matter the severity of their role. Chadwick Boseman gives a strong and dignified King, who also is able to show vulnerability. T'Challa faces inner turmoil that Chadwick portrays extremely well. However, the real show stealers are the powerful women in the film from Angela Bassett playing the Queen of Wakanda to Danai Gurira who is the strong and graceful Okoye, leader of the Dora Milaje. Another great act was Michael B. Jordan's depiction of Erik Killmonger, one the Black Panther's greatest foes in the comics. Jordan gives us a dark and wounded villain, who is easy to sympathize with. Wright, gives us a strong and brilliant Shuri, one of the brightest minds in the Marvel Universe and the technological genius behind all technology in Wakanda. Overall, the cast was impeccable, and a nod goes to Martin Freeman who did amazing as Everett Ross. Regarding visuals Black Panther and Thor Ragnarok were neck and neck. Marvel's production and animation team really stepped it up with these last two movies. Some of the CGI scenes were a little off but for the most part they were well done and blended well. This is a must see film not only for the great story but the visuals and subtle cultural awareness as well. -Diamond Cheffin, NABJNIU Entertainment Reporter
As anticipation started to build for NIU's Homecoming concert, people wondered, "who will be performing?" Some people knew before hand who would be performing, like sophomore Kyle Austin who heard through the great vine that D.J. Esco was coming, "but I don't know I figure if he's Future's DJ he must be decent so I think I'll enjoy it." and some didn't know exactly what to expect and still don't. Different people had different reactions to CAB's late response on announcing our homecoming guest like, freshman Thomson Ly who said, "I think it's going to be lit. I know we may not have a lineup like UIC, but having DJ Esco should still be good." While others like Andreanna Brown said it won't be "an amazing type of concert. I'm predicting it may be wild and it could be fights though."
With this response you have to wonder about the amount of intensity that will be presented the night of the concert. Overall the student body is excited to find out that something is happening during homecoming week, because a lot of students thought this years events were cancelled due to CAB's late announcement. Olivia Hendricks explained, " I just want to get cute, plus I never been to a concert and I didn't go last year so I'm really excited." Either way DJ Esco will be welcomed to NIU's campus with open arms. On Friday CAB announced that at Destination Lituation DJ Esco, who is known for being rap superstar Future's DJ, will be the guest DJ. Everyone should prepare for an amazing show with many heavy hits that should electrify the crowd. We hope that everyone will be opened-minded about CAB bringing Esco to campus despite some of the reactions of twitter (see below), and have a good time. Students and guest can get their tickets at www.NIUTickets.com under Campus Activities Board. It will hosted by Reggie So Dope at the Campus Recreational Center, Thursday October 5th. Tickets are $12 for students and $14 for guests. Corzair Watkins, NABJamz Reporter
The Pajama Jam recently hosted by NIU’s Alpha Phi Alpha Inc. was labeled a success by many of the attendees. I was also among the many students who would label it a success.
Since it’s not often the student body gets to flaunt their pajamas to the public, my friends and I took advantage of the opportunity and dressed in sexy fitted pajamas; so it was a disappointment to see my peers dressed in street clothes, party fits, sweats and frat shirts none of which matched the theme. Which raises the question; "Are theme parties successful at Northern Illinois University?" Well it all depends on what successful means to you. If it's just to get people out and have a good time then I would say "Yes." If it was to accomplish the theme of the event then I would have to say "No." Students did not participate like I expected. More females dressed in the theme than males, pointing out a gender issue as well. Do males reject the idea of themed parties? When asked, some males just simply answered they don't own pajamas and others said they had forgot it was a pajama party. How could we achieve a greater turn out and get students involved with a purpose? Perhaps the upperclassmen could get involved! Many upperclassmen hold seats in all organizations. Upperclassmen are the leaders of NIU. The ones with the most influence. Without them supporting themed events, the lower class men have nothing to imitate and use as an example. Le'Jera Payton, NABJ Entertainment Reporter Divisions Relations Administration Manager Employee relations and Labor relations By: N'Jema McIntyre With 20 years at Northern Illinois University, he’s just a small town boy from Sycamore, IL. Massey grew up in the area and wanted to return to familiar territory. He began his journey as a police officer, left to join the military, spent some time out of the country, then returned to the U.S. and to NIU in Human Resources and finally landed the position he’s in currently. Mr. Massey enjoys being on this side of campus because he gets to see the students. He is also academic advisor for the organization CRAVE for students from Christ Community Church. By: Kennth Scott When it comes to the number of people falling victim to gun violence in Chicago, looking at the statistics on paper may have little to no effect on you at all. But Jill Tikkun, an NIU instructor, took a different approach to raise awareness on the Gun Violence in Chicago. On the morning of November 3 2016, she and her students took the Homicide total of each year since 2007, and laid a tombstone in rows and columns down Lucinda Ave for each individual killed. We want to thank everyone who participate in our MOS yesterday! Be on the look out for more to come in the future!
Before the black students protested by not standing for the National Anthem during NIU's home football game against Central Michigan, they gathered for the first ever Project Tailgate! Junior Marketing major Kendra Castleberry stated that the kickback was so important for the Black Lives Matter Week, "because everything has been so intense both Monday and Tuesday were pretty intense days with a lot to deal with everything that happened on Yik-Yak and everything." After the demonstrations during the first two days of the week people of Dekalb went to Yik-Yak to make some not so friendly post about the BLM movement.
By: Le’Jera Payton
On Thursday October 13, 2016 black students on Northern Illinois University's campuses Black Lives Matter Week quickly heated up as participants protested in the main bus turnaround on campus. The protest stopped Buses from coming in or out of the Holmes Student Center bus turnaround. This protest stirred up a lot of commotion as the students lined up and locked arms to fight for their cause. Cars honked in approval and others yelled disapproving comment out their windows but this did not discourage the movement. What started out as about a line of 20 grew to over 100 students mostly black but other races did lock arms to stand for the cause with the black community. On Lucinda they chanted for over 30 minutes until the police threatened to arrest the protesters if they did not move to the sidewalk to let the buses in and out the terminal. We had the privilege of interviewing Jalisa Stewart a member of the Black Student Union, who was right in the middle of the demonstration and experience something will forever be with her. If you have yet to see the video of the white van--that was trying to leave the tunaround rudely yelled that the protester needed to move. That was Jalisa was right in front of the van when the driver decided to drive his car up to the protest, so close that he was touching not only her, but other protesters with his bumper. The students asked if he would respect their movement and ask kindly but the driver remained rude. The students then broke their line to let the driver through. Jalisa said she was angered because all the student asked for was a kind request to break their line yet the driver showed them no respect. Jalisa then added, “We’re not saying that Black Lives mean more but they are equal.” The movement did not stop there, her and the many other students marched around campus chanting with their fist to the sky ending at Algal Hall to recap the protest. Jalisa states that overall the event was a success. |