The NEIU Independent

The Coalition United for Free Speech (CUFFS) held a Free Speech Forum on April 16 in SU-214, and the room was packed with a variety of student interest groups. The forum addressed the ongoing issue of free speech rights and restrictions on the Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) campus. At an earlier Town Hall meeting, President Hahs had been invited to attend the forum by the leaders of CUFFS, to which she agreed only on the condition that she could be one of the speakers.

The forum began with John K. Wilson, five-time author and founder of CollegeFreedom.org, who spoke on the problems experienced by students on campuses all over the country in regards to their free speech rights.… 1 Comment

Que Ondee Sola and the Union for Puerto Rican Students brought ex-Puerto Rican prisoners Ida Luz Rodriguez and Luis Rosa Perez who came to school to discuss the reasons for their imprisonment and the crimes brought on from the U.S. government against Puerto Ricans efforts to become separate from the United States.

Rodriguez and Perez described their imprisonment as being a psychological game, "They (guards) would log our every movement, every movement, then they would hold us in shackles, legs and arms; we had to be cuffed whenever we left the cell and lead around by two guards. We were treated as serial killers...… Post the First Comment

On Tuesday, April 21, five of this year's Golden Apple Award winners got together at NEIU to talk about what inspires them as educators and share some advice with NEIU students. All five winners are NEIU graduates from the College of Education. The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching were created in 1985, by Mike Koldyke, who decided outstanding teachers should be honored and recognized for their contribution to society.… Post the First Comment

The Department of Education and the Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) Financial Aid Office is changing the way they do business with students. Maureen Amos, Associate Director of Financial Aid, explained these changes in a Town Hall meeting. Amos said that in October 2008, a consultant came to the Financial Aid office to advise the Financial Aid personnel on necessary changes to streamline the system.… Post the First Comment

Through the week of April 13-17, Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) celebrated Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Alliance (GLBTA) Awareness Week, which raised awareness about the GLBT community through campus activities and presentations. On Monday April 13, there was presentation held in Alumni Hall where NEIU graduate Edith Bucio spoke about the Pilsen Dyke March and how the march is about changing the word "dyke" from a negative to a positive connotation.… Post the First Comment

On Tuesday April 14, Northeastern Illinois University had guest speaker Dr. Michael J. Cuyjet speak about black men in college and promote his book "African-American Men In College." The event was is in collaboration with African-American Studies and Academic Development.… Post the First Comment

From April 11-17, NEIU students had the opportunity to vote for next year's Student Government Association officers. Bountiful flyers were posted all over campus, mass e-mails were sent to students' inboxes, and online voting was easily accessible. However, compared to the overall student population, the numbers of votes were unimpressive.… Post the First Comment

Alumni Hall was littered with tables dimly lit by tiny candles all around a brightly lit stage where student leaders and organizations were being recognized for their service to the university and to their community. On April 21, NEIU held the third annual Leadership Recognition Banquet.… Post the First Comment