News
NorthernStar.info | @NIUNorthernStar | 815-753-0105
Monday, Oct. 24, 2016
Diversity bill moves forward
Julia Martinez Staff writer
DeKALB | A bill that requires students to obtain one credit in a human diversity course will seek its final approval from University Council. The bill requires all undergraduate students enrolled after fall 2017 to complete a course- or non-course-based action in compliance with human diversity. Non-course-based actions allow students to receive credit for completing an activity outside of the classroom.
“
DeKALB | The College of Law’s enrollment increased 4.3 percent this semester with an incoming class of 105 students, its largest since 2010. The National Law Journal named NIU’s College of Law eighth out of the top 20 schools for graduates entering public interest careers this semester. The ranking was based on the percentage of graduates who entered careers in public service and employment data collected by the American Bar Association from the class of 2015.
Vernese Edghill-Walden Chief Diversity Officer
Equity in Action Edghill-Walden said she is also planning events for Equity in Action, an initiative that works towards making students feel they are part of a more diverse and inclusive NIU community. “One of the things that I think is
Xavier Ortega | Northern Star
Senators respond to Chief Diversity Officer Vernese Edghill-Walden as she gives an update about the human diversity requirement during a Student Association Senate meeting 5 p.m. Sunday in the Holmes Student Center, Sky Room.
important about diversity and equity work is being able to not only interact with each other on campus, but to be prepared for when you leave NIU and to work in a global society,” Edghill-Walden said.
Student Conduct office such as an off-campus or non-urgent issue. “We do want students to know that when things happen, they still have an opportunity to report it,” Edghill-Walden said.
Reporting form Edghill-Walden said she has also helped create a biased reporting form for students who would not feel comfortable reporting a non-emergency incident to NIU police. The form was created for students who wish to obtain resource information that would not usually go through the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
MAP grant rally SA Senate Speaker Christine Wang said the Monetary Award Program grant rally will be held at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in the MLK Commons. MAP grants are at risk for Fiscal Year 2017 because of a lack of funding given to NIU by the Illinois government. The last full allocation was $91.1 million in FY15.
Wang said about 37 percent of NIU’s undergraduate population receives MAP grants. Many of those students come from lowincome families that cannot afford to lose those MAP grants, according to a Oct. 17 Northern Star article. “We will have MAP grant recipients, NIU administrators and student body leaders who will be going and speaking,” Wang said.
Read more Go to NorthernStar.info/campus to read more about the human diversity requirement.
Election: Illinois’ US Senate candidates Four Illinois candidates are vying for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Mark Kirk. Here’s a look at information each candidate submitted on an Associated Press questionnaire about themselves and their priorities, if elected.
Photos Associated Press
Democrat Tammy Duckworth, 48, Hoffman Estates Occupation U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, first elected in 2012. Education University of Hawaii, B.A.; The George Washington University, M.A.; Capella University, Ph.D. Past professional or political positions Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2009-2011; Director, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, 2006-2009. Top three priorities in the U.S. Senate 1. Strengthening our economy. 2. Building a stronger workforce. 3. Honoring the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and veterans.
College of Law ranked 8th in US Julia Martinez Staff writer
We do want students to know that when things happen, they still have an opportunity to report it.”
The Student Association Senate approved the bill during an Oct. 2 meeting after Chief Diversity Officer Vernese Edghill-Walden presented it. “Since then, I’ve presented to the Baccalaureate Council, and they did approve the human diversity requirement,” Edghill-Walden said. The bill will be put in front of University Council during a meeting 3 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Holmes Student Center, Sky Room.
3
Republican Mark Kirk, 57, Highland Park Occupation U.S. Senator, elected in 2010. Education New Trier High School; Cornell University, B.A. in history; London School of Economics, M.S.; Georgetown University, J.D. Past professional or political positions U.S. Representative for 10th Congressional District, five terms, 2000-2010. Top three priorities in the U.S. Senate 1. I am committed to keeping the American people safe from the continued threat of terrorism. 2. Veterans. The Veterans Affairs has become a corrupt, political and bureaucratic mess on many levels. 3. Congress should also be focused on putting our nation on a responsible fiscal path.
Green Party Scott Kingwill Summers, 67, Harvard Occupation Attorney, Public Guardian and Public Administrator of McHenry County since 2013. Education University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, B.A. in liberal arts; Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, M.B.A.; Northern Illinois University, J.D. Past professional or political positions Private practice attorney, 1989-present; trustee, McHenry County College, 2005-2009. Top three priorities in the U.S. Senate 1. Economic rejuvenation. 2. Equal opportunity in education and employment. 3. Climate action.
Libertarian Kenton Craig McMillen, 55, Melrose Park Occupation Paralegal. Education Northern Illinois University, B.A.; Roosevelt University Lawyers’ Assistant Program, Certificate. Past professional or political positions Student Senator, Northern Illinois University. Top three priorities in the U.S. Senate 1. Reducing the size of government. 2. Start bringing troops home. 3. End the war on drugs.
Voting schedule Early voting begins on campus Oct. 24 in the Holmes Student Center, Blackhawk Annex. Sameday registration will be available. Election Day is Nov. 8.
“
One of our goals this semester is to focus on strengthening the curriculum.” Eric Dannenmaier Dean of the College of Law
The American Bar Association is an organization of lawyers and law students serving the public, located in Chicago, according to the American Bar Association website. “That is an important testament to our focus on serving the public and on an understanding that law is about a public trust,” said Eric Dannenmaier, dean of the College of Law. NIU’s College of Law is one of three public law schools in Illinois with 265 students enrolled this fall. The College of Law also has one Eric of the lowest tu- Dannenmaier ition rates com- Dean of College of Law pared to other Illinois law schools, according to the NIU College of Law website. “The average tuition in Illinois is $45,075,” Dannenmaier said. “I think reasonable pricing is important and [so is] the value students get for the cost and assuring that students have access to excellent faculty.” NIU College of Law’s full-time instate tuition is $22,130 per year. “There has been about a ten-year decline across higher education in enrollment in law schools, and we followed that trend downward until this year,” President Doug Baker said during a Sept. 22 Town Hall meeting. “This year, there was a dramatic increase in the first-year students in the law program.” Dannenmaier said the College of Law has an excellent reputation of faculty and prepares students with core classes for the Bar Exam. The Bar Exam is a test given by each state to ensure a candidate is ready to practice law in that state. “One of our goals this semester is to focus on strengthening the curriculum in ways that will add new experiential opportunities through clinical placements and internships,” Dannenmaier said.
Certificate Programs • Business law • Civil advocacy • Criminal practice • International law • Law and women’s studies • Public interest