Northern Illinois University - The Inside Scoop

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Facts

Slang

Cabrini Grant - Grant Residence Hall
Disabled - DuSable Hall
Doof - Food
Drunk Bus - The Late Night Ride Service
DuSable Dungeon - Basement of DuSable Hall
Faraway Hall - Faraday Hall
FART Building - Jack Arrends Hall/Final Arts Building
HSC (AKA ‘the Giant Phallus’) - Holmes Student Center
Monty Hall - Montgomery Hall
NIU LJ - Northern’s Livejournal community
Psychomath - The Psychology/Math building
The Cereal Box - Zulauf Hall
The Paper - The Northern Star

Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School

Don’t come with a boyfriend or girlfriend
Get on birth control
Get on the smallest meal plan possible
How much peer pressure you will face to drink
How much pocket cash you need to live a decent existence
How to eat healthy while living in the dorms
How to manage time wisely
How to use the academic support services offered
Never, ever live in a residence hall after freshman year

Tips to Succeed

Carefully research your major
Don’t go home every weekend
Don’t take a 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. class if you can help it
Find a competent adviser and map out your class schedule for the next four years
Get at least seven hours of sleep a night
Go in for help whenever it is offered
Go to class
Keep up with assigned reading
Use the Recreational Center constantly

Urban Legends

A student once was murdered in a darkened dorm room without her roommate noticing. The killer supposedly left this message: “Aren’t you glad you didn’t turn on the lights?”
Otto’s Niteclub and Underground (118 E. Lincoln Highway) is home to a ghost.
The “Paul is Dead” rumors regarding the death of former Beatle Paul McCartney originated in DeKalb.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers once partied in a small apartment on Lucinda Avenue with several students after a show in DeKalb.

Traditions

Gay Jam - It wouldn’t be Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Awareness month without this truly wild annual event, which is an extravagant drag show with performances by members of the NIU community.
Recyclable Boat Race - Another Homecoming Week tradition features student organizations racing flimsy boats made out of recycled materials in the East Lagoon. The fun comes from watching how seriously the organizations take the competition and how ridiculous they look after their boats capsize in the nasty, shallow water.
Take Back the Night - The Women’s Alliance leads this protest against sexual violence and rape every year. The group attempts to raise awareness of campus issues by marching down the streets of DeKalb in large numbers while chanting. It is quite a sight to see.
The Grotesque - A gargoyle statue located in the garden east of Altgeld Hall has quite the history. After the first NIU graduation ceremony, it was allegedly struck by lightning. A year later, lightning literally struck the same place twice, and the gargoyle was moved to its current location due to fear for its safety.
The Kissing Bench - Under an oak tree near the East Lagoon, the Kissing Bench remains a popular place for young love to blossom and wet lips to meet.
William the Goose - A mourned-for murdered bird that was beloved by students and faculty alike. He made NIU’s East Lagoon his home for 15 years until he was killed by a student who was startled while meditating in 1981. A memorial still stands in his honor.

School Spirit

NIU isn’t really a “rah rah sis-boom-bah” institution. Sure, students will wear clothing with the familiar Huskie logo, but NIU apparel doesn’t dominate campus by any means, even after a big win by the football team. Ironically enough, many students don’t acquire a fondness or sense of pride for their educational experience until it’s over with. Most alumni remain in the Chicago-land area and make frequent trips back to their alma mater.

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In Summary

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