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Articles by Ahyen Labanan
Guest column: Life after Asian hate crimes
Getty Images Graphic of layered faces in multiple colors, where blue smiles outwardly and purple is internally solemn. Ahyen Labanan, Guest Columnist April 21, 2021 Every moment of my day feels like I am in survival mode. Not only do I fear COVID-19, but I also fear for my safety as an Asian American woman in this country. This fear is something I am not used to sharing, but I will no longer be silent about it. Last year, my news feed was filled with headlines involving Asian hate crimes.
NIU to implement saliva-based COVID-19 testing
Patrick Murphy A surveillance testing sign hangs on the entrance of the NIU Health Services building. Ahyen Labanan, News Editor September 25, 2020 DeKALB — NIU is conducting contractual negotiations to set up a lab with Northwestern Medicine to implement saliva-based COVID-19 testing as part of its surveillance testing plan, Barrie Bode, chair of the NIU biological sciences department said. The saliva-based testing is part of the University of Illinois System’s testing program.
NIU announces end to 2-week ban on in-person undergrad classes, student activities
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor September 25, 2020 DeKALB — NIU’s two-week ban on in-person undergraduate courses and activities will end Monday, according to a Friday email from NIU President Lisa Freeman. “During this pause, we identified new cases within our student surveillance testing population on Sept. 18 and were immediately able to quarantine groups of students who were likely exposed,” Freeman said. “Those students were tested, and the results are represented in Wednesday’s dashboard count.
NIU to implement saliva-based COVID-19 testing
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor September 25, 2020 DeKALB — NIU is conducting contractual negotiations to set up a lab with Northwestern Medicine to implement saliva-based COVID-19 testing as part of its surveillance testing plan, Barrie Bode, chair of the NIU biological sciences department said. The saliva-based testing is part of the University of Illinois System’s testing program.
Board of Trustees approves reallocation of 20% of general fee
The Board of Trustees approved a constitutional amendment Thursday in Altgeld Hall, room 315. Ahyen Labanan, News Editor September 20, 2020 The Board of Trustees approved the reallocation of 20% of the general fee toward other services for students Thursday. This reallocation will be for the fiscal year 21. The fiscal year 21, or FY21 began July 1 and ends June 30, 2021.
University announces 2-week ban on in-person undergrad classes, student gatherings
DeKALB — Undergraduate courses have been moved online temporarily, until Sept. 28, according to a Friday email from NIU President Lisa Freeman. Faculty are allowed to submit requests for in-person class exceptions, and students can check Blackboard at noon Sunday to see if their class has been given that exception. NIU spokesperson Joe King said graduate programs and the law school are unaffected by this announcement.
SGA Senate meetings transition to virtual
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor August 31, 2020 Student Government Association Senate meetings will be virtual this semester, Speaker of the Senate Brad Beyer announced in an Aug. 24 press release. Meetings will take place Sundays on Microsoft Teams and the link to view the meeting will be available on the SGA Huskie Link; agendas will be posted Fridays.
Five students now COVID-19 positive
Patrick Murphy | Northern Star Ahyen Labanan, News Editor August 25, 2020 DeKALB — NIU announced Tuesday three additional students have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Campus COVID-19 dashboard. As of Tuesday, six members of the NIU community tested positive for the coronavirus; one is an NIU employee and five are students.
Freeman: “Surveillance testing will start next week”
Patrick Murphy The NIU Huskie Pride Statue and Holmes Student Center are recognizable landmarks to help new students find their way around campus. Ahyen Labanan, News Editor August 27, 2020 DeKALB — NIU will implement surveillance testing, funded by the university, on campus next week for students in residence halls and face-to-face classes, NIU President Lisa Freeman said Thursday. NCAA testing for athletes will also continue.
Fifth student tests positive for COVID-19
Patrick Murphy | Northern Star Ahyen Labanan, News Editor August 25, 2020 DeKALB — NIU announced Tuesday three additional students have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Campus COVID-19 dashboard. As of Tuesday, six members of the NIU community tested positive for the coronavirus; one is an NIU employee and five are students.
Move-in day: what you need to know, required COVID-19 testing
Noah Thornburgh Diddie Kwizera, first-year computer science major, walks to a cart full of his belongings Saturday at Stevenson North. "Everything feels out of order," he said. Ahyen Labanan, News Editor July 30, 2020 DeKALB — NIU Housing and Residential Services created new procedures for Fall 2020 move-in. Testing Students will be required to take COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction tests prior to moving into residence halls, according to the Housing and Residential Services website.
NIU reveals plan to 'protect the pack' in Fall 2020
How COVID-19 will affect university learning and student life Patrick Murphy A mask is taped to NIU's Olive Goyle statue next to Altgeld Hall June 3.. Ahyen Labanan, News Editor July 23, 2020 DeKALB — NIU’s “Protecting the Pack” plan provides health and safety guidelines for the fall semester. Here’s what the NIU community needs to know. Huskie expectations NIU employees and students are required to complete training modules on health and safety measures prior to returning to campus.
Fall 2020: ‘it’s gonna look different,’ what we know
Patrick Murphy A mask is taped to NIU's Olive Goyle statue next to Altgeld Hall on Wednesday, June 3rd at 3:53p.m. Ahyen Labanan, News Editor July 15, 2020 Back to school will look different this year; here’s what we know. Health and safety NIU task forces have been creating health and safety plans in preparation for the fall. NIU will release a plan titled “Protecting the Pack” the week of July 20.
NIU community reflects on DACA restoration
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor July 15, 2020 DeKALB — Many around the country celebrated the Supreme Court’s June 18 ruling to block the Trump administration’s 2017 attempt to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Applications for the program were stopped in 2017, and only those with DACA could renew.
NIU community navigates ICE policy
Patrick Murphy The university announced it is currently planning for fall semester operations. Students will receive information about their class operations in a few weeks. Ahyen Labanan and Kierra Frazier July 10, 2020 DeKALB — NIU international students must notify International Student and Scholar Services of their fall plans by July 15 by filling out a form.
Northern Star alumni remember colleague as ‘the epitome of community journalism’
Photo courtesy of Jerry Smith Ahyen Labanan, News Editor July 4, 2020 An NIU and Northern Star alumnus, Barry Schrader spent his entire life practicing what he loved: journalism. He will be remembered by the DeKalb community for his involvement, love of news and storytelling. Schrader, 79, died Tuesday after battling pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Kay and two sons. A memorial service will be held July 10 at 10 a.m. at Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave.
University updates housing fees, dining
Patrick Murphy The Holmes Student Center Hotel will be a housing option for upper level students in the fall. Ahyen Labanan, News Editor June 23, 2020 NIU updated students on housing, dining, and student fees in an email sent to students Tuesday by Housing and Residential Services and Campus Dining Services. Student fees have not changed, according to the email.
Board of Trustees approves preliminary internal budget, discusses housing rates
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor June 19, 2020 The Board of Trustees passed a preliminary internal budget for the next fiscal year and discussed several items of interest at Thursday’s meeting. The fiscal year 21, or FY21 begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2021. The budget The budget passed is $361.4 million in revenue with expenses anticipated to cost $400.3 million, according to the board report.
Student Emergency Fund relaunches applications
Patrick Murphy NIU relaunched the Student Emergency Fund on June 1. Students can apply for up to$500 in financial assistance. Ahyen Labanan, News Editor June 8, 2020 Students who have received previous funding from the Student Emergency Fund can begin applying for additional assistance on June 15. Meanwhile, any students who have not received any previous funding from the emergency fund can currently apply via the Division of Student Affairs website.
SGA leadership releases statements of solidarity
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor June 3, 2020 DeKALB — SGA President Antonio Johnson and Speaker of the Senate Brad Beyer announced their support of the peaceful protests taking place in DeKalb in a statement sent to the Northern Star Tuesday. Since Saturday, DeKalb community members have participated in several peaceful protests against police brutality in response to George Floyd’s death. Protests have also taken place around the country and world.
NIU officials discuss confronting racism
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor June 2, 2020 DeKALB — President Lisa Freeman addressed the NIU community on confronting racism in an email sent to students Sunday. “I want the people of color in our community to know that NIU sees you and that NIU wants to be your community and a place where you have allies. NIU’s mission, vision and values are about equity, respect, building a better society, being accountable and being strengthened by diversity,” Freeman wrote in the email.
University issues fall semester update
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor June 1, 2020 Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Housing and Residential Services, Campus Dining, Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, NIU’s Northwestern Medicine Health Center and other university officials are working to plan fall semester operations, according to an email sent to students May 19 by Beth Ingram, executive vice president and provost. Fall semester courses may be taught in-person, online or a combination of the two methods of instruction.
University names Cassandra Hill next College of Law dean
Ahyen Labanan, Assistant News Editor April 16, 2020 DeKALB — Cassandra Hill will begin her role as the next dean of the NIU College of Law July 1, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. Hill will be the first African American woman to be dean of the law school. Hill currently works as the associate dean for academic affairs at Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.
NIU partners with NIU Foundation to create Student Emergency Fund
DeKALB — NIU has created a Student Emergency Fund, which will be launched Monday, in partnership with the NIU Foundation. This information will be emailed to students Monday. The Student Emergency Fund was developed in order to provide resources to degree-seeking students in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will identify resources and provide funding to help students access technology, employment, housing, meals, transportation and other basic needs.
University launches Student Emergency Fund
DeKALB — NIU has created a Student Emergency Fund, which launched Monday, in partnership with the NIU Foundation. This information was emailed to students Monday. The Student Emergency Fund was developed in order to provide resources to degree-seeking students in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will identify resources and provide funding to help students access technology, employment, housing, meals, transportation and other basic needs.
Professors begin devising remote teaching methods as NIU prepares for online learning
DeKALB — Specific information regarding class operation will be determined in the coming days as faculty members return from spring break Monday, Lisa Miner, senior director of institutional communications, said in an email March 14. “Devising remote delivery is a team effort, but each professor will determine what specifics are best for their classes,” Paul Kassel, dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts, said in an email March 16.
Police host weekly self-defense training
For the first time, NIU Police and Public Safety are offering weekly S.A.F.E. training for women on Thursdays. Training takes place in the residence halls on a rotational schedule, and so far there has been little enrollment. Approximately 10 students participated in the first training of the semester at Neptune, Officer Shaunda Wilson said. No students participated in the Sept. 26 training in the Stevenson South Smart Classroom. “I don’t think the turnout is disappointing,” Wilson said.
NIU moves from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning
NIU moved platforms from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning on Sept. 16. The move was completed at no cost and all content from Lynda.com was migrated to LinkedIn Learning, NIU IT said. “So far, the migration seems to have gone smoothly,” Leslie Scarpace, an IT technical associate at NIU, said. Students can still access their learning activity and history from Lynda.com through the new LinkedIn Learning for free. 3075 students logged into and used content from Lynda.com between Jan. 1 and Aug.
Student volunteers clean up Kishwaukee river
Despite the muddy conditions on Sunday, 32 volunteers came to the East Lagoon to participate at the sixth annual Clean the Kish. The event was hosted by NIU Outdoor Adventures and the DeKalb Park District from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean the Kish is a yearly event held to pick up trash or litter from the Kishwaukee River. The Kishwaukee River has 28 plants and 30 animals listed as Illinois threatened or endangered species, according to the Winnebago County forest preserve website.
Hungry Huskies returns under rebranded leadership
At 7 p.m. Sunday, 21 volunteers doled out free hot dogs, salads and root beer floats to community members at the first Hungry Huskies event of the semester. Hungry Huskies is a weekly dinner held at Ellington's Restaurant in the Holmes Student Center. Volunteers will serve free food every Sunday until Dec. 8. This year, Hungry Huskies is hosted by NIU’s Inclusive Collective, a Christian organization under the United Methodist Church.
Dining hall hours adjusted following student feedback
Dining hall hours have been modified again, following the first week of operation under the previous hours. Dan Koenen, executive director for campus dining services said these adjustments were made after Campus Dining Services received feedback from students. Koenen said students expressed their views on the hours through phone calls, Facebook and in- person meetings.
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