The NEIU Independent

Fine Arts Center dedicated to Salme Harju Steinberg

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Northeastern's Fine Arts Center has been re-named after former president Dr. Salme Harju Steinberg (1995-2007). The dedication ceremony and reception was held in the Auditorium on April 17.

During her time as president at NEIU, Steinberg created programs like the Performing Arts Series, the Presidential Lecture Series, the Jewel Box Series and Mostly Music.

Students speak with Provost on geography problems

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

NEIU seniors and alumni discussed recent problems they have encountered with the Geography Department Chair, Dr. Erick Howenstine, with Provost Lawrence Frank. Howenstine has also acted as an advisor to many of the students. These students are concerned for future geology students, considering the number of issues that have arose.

Garcia slides past Benjaih and Banks for SGA President

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In possibly the closest race SGA elections have ever seen, Eduardo Arabu Jr. beat out Melina Rodriguez for Student Trustee 256 to 255.

The race for President was just as close; Jason Garcia got 210 votes and won by 19, beating out David Benjaih and Mark Banks who both received 191 votes.

News Briefs

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Laptop security tips

Help keep your laptop from getting lost or stolen. Treat your laptop like cash. Get it out of the car; don't ever leave your laptop behind. Keep it locked, use a security cable. Keep it off the floor, or at least between your feet.

The Deep End

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Strategic planning focus groups are in session. These groups are designed to find out what is going on around campus, what is working for students and what is not. After participating in a focus group with a few other outspoken students, many issues have come to light that before would not have been realized.

NEIU's "Nu" sorority

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The ladies of Northeastern Illinois University's chapter of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. have many reasons to celebrate. The sorority recently initiated its Beta line and the chapter's Vice-President Julissa Flores is Gamma Phi Omega's 2008 National Swan.

LGBTA opening ceremonies

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Northeastern Illinois University's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Ally (LGBTA) held opening ceremonies in the Student Union April 14. The opening ceremonies kicked off the organization's awareness week. The LGBTA is seeking to create a safe haven for students.

SGA semester finale

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The SGA held one of its last meetings of the semester and decided on important end-of-semester business on April 17. There was a broad range of new business to attend to, but much of it consisted of charter approvals for new clubs, allocation of funds for upcoming events and nominating new senators to fill empty seats.

LGBTA's Pride Awareness Week

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Rainbow streamers and flags adorned the Student Union as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Ally (LGBTA) club kicked off its annual Pride Awareness Week on April 14. It featured LGBT themed workshops, networking opportunities, LGBT Rights, safe sex information and health services offered by the university.

State of the Independent

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The 2007-2008 school year was an interesting one for the Independent. It was full of problems that would make most normal people just try to fade into the background. It was also full of good things.

For those of you who have noticed the continually changing masthead this semster, Jonathan Gronli is our fourth Editor-in-Chief.

The morning-after pill myth

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

There seems to be some misconceptions about the morning-after pill. If taken properly, this oral contraceptive can reduce the chances of getting pregnant by 75 to 85 percent. If taken incorrectly or excessively, it can actually increase the risk of pregnancy.

The Opinionated Co-Ed

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The spring 2008 semester has been very challenging for me. I learned the true meaning of 'growing pains' in my academic and personal life. I struggled with my own neurosis to understand my destiny. Journalism intrigues me, but is this something I want to do for the rest of my life? Beyond my own personal trials, the first four months of 2008 have been loaded with issues central to contemporary culture.

On the Other Hand

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Differing opinions often spark some of the most significant conflicts in the course of human events. The Iraq War is the latest chapter in the ongoing epic of differing human opinions, and my younger brother is a character in that chapter.
When my brother announced that he was going to enter the United States Marine Corps, my mother and sister worried over him incessantly, as I knew they would.

Voice of the Campus

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

At first, when we heard that the Fine Arts Building was going to be dedicated to former university president Salme Steinberg, there was little surprise. After all, she was known for her love of music. Indeed, besides the teachers' strike of 2004, Salme Steinberg did leave behind a legacy.

Google can't dupe the FCC

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The FCC recently held an auction for the 700mhz airwave band that will open once analog cable is fully replaced by digital. The auction was set up into different spectrums for sale, each with different requirements, minimum bids and stipulations. Some required that the channel be open to use for emergency broadcasts while other stipulated that the minimum bid had to reach a certain amount in order to enact an openness policy for the airwave.

Tech Talk

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Software is terribly expensive. Operating systems, image editing programs, and word processing programs can quickly add up into thousands of dollars if one isn't careful about selectively choosing software for their computer. Thankfully, there is an alternate solution.

Sudoku, anyone?

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Sure, Sudoku is fun, but does it really help your memory? Not only Sudoku, but do other brain and memory games help your memory? Cindy Lustig, a University of Michigan assistant professor of psychology, and her colleague David Bissig of Wayne State University are conducting research to discover what types of brain and memory training Sudoku and other logic puzzles may actually help with.

Twisters in the city?

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

by Duncan Macnab

Production Editor

Winter is finally over. Even though the snow was bad, spring and summer has an even uglier face to show us. Many would believe that we are safe from tornadoes in an urban area however, this is a terribly false myth.

Humboldt Park goes Hollywood

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I never would have thought I, a Hispanic girl from the 'hood, would ever have a chance to be in a major motion picture. Born and raised in the Humboldt Park area, I jumped at the opportunity to come out in a film titled "Humboldt Park." It all started with an e-mail from my sister-in-law regarding a casting company looking for Hispanic movie extras.

Golden Eagles 5K: A big success

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On a chilly spring morning, 150 pairs of muddy running shoes shuffled up to the starting line and waited for the horn to sound. After days of rainfall, the chilly morning air and the soggy track field did not discourage the participants of Northeastern's first ever Golden Eagle 5K race.

Brutal weather postpones NEIU clubs

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The lengthy winter snow and the spring's rainy weather has put a damper on NEIU clubs and teams. NEIU's co-ed softball league had high hopes to kick off its fifth season this April, but will postpone its season to the summer session.

"This is the first season the softball league has had to change to the summer; it's a disappointment," says Dave Merrill, NEIU Associate Director of Campus Recreational Programs.

The writing's on the (bathroom) wall

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

From the dirtiest corners of our society, those small, unspeakable spaces behind closed doors, comes a riveting collection of American expressiveness. There is something about public bathroom stalls that inspires art, philosophy and overall bad manners. Doug Rice captures this effect in his new book, From the Stall.

Diversional Discourse

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Actors are notorious for their superstitions. There are many different things that people are supposed to/not supposed to do in the theatre so as not to have ill fortune befall either the actors or the theatre itself.

The most famous superstition in the theatre probably is: break a leg.

Pieces of great

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The 2008 Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition is showing in the Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) Fine Arts Center Gallery from April 2 through May 2. Claire Ashley, a professional artist and teacher at the Art Institute of Chicago whose work was shown in the Fine Arts Center Gallery earlier this year, was selected as the Guest Juror for this year and winners were announced at the opening reception April 18.

Musing about HAARP: A lively album

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On April 1, 2008, British trio Muse released HAARP, a CD/DVD combination of their live performances at London's Wembley Stadium in June 2007. With the sounds of 75,000 energetic fans, the sold out performances translated well to digital media.

The band consists of front man Matthew Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme.

Whatever you do PANIC!

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

After months of anticipation, I had the unique pleasure of seeing Widespread Panic perform at the Auditorium Theater on April 13. Although the hour-long and very cold wait to get into the theater started the night off crudely, the show made up for all that and then some.

Beyond the Veil of Madness

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

During the last weekend of February, delegates of the Independent went to San Francisco for the American College Press convention. When we weren't in workshops or having a meal, we usually split off into different groups to do different things. The first night, while four of the people from our group walked the distance from the hotel to Fisherman's Wharf, Mike Arch, Maciej Lisiecki and I did something interesting, fun and a little odd.

The power of spoken word

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

When the philosophy department sponsored an event April 17 that featured performance poetry, Professor Sarah Hoagland saw it as an opportunity to "encourage exploration of spoken word as a form of doing philosophy." The stated mission of Performers Or Writers for Women On Women's Issues (POW-WOW), is to increase the visibility of women artists, especially those of color.

Upcoming events on campus

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

April 22: NEIU String Orchestra

(conducted by Joseph Glymph)

1:45 p.m. - Recital Hall

April 22: Mozart's Requiem

Performed with orchestra & the NEIU Chamber Singers and University Chorus

(conducted by Michael Melton)

In memory of the Northern Illinois University students who lost their lives February 14

7:30 p.