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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026
@NORTHERNIOWAN
VOLUME 122, ISSUE 28
Growing up doesn’t mean growing apart
A brothers’ decision to stay together in college
By Ellisa Anderson Assistant News Editor Editor’s Note: Siblings have a unique bond that little else can touch. Whether you adore your sibling and would do anything for them, or think they’re annoying and wish they would stop following you around, it’s something special to you both. UNI houses many sibling students, and this is the first story of three in a series about sibling relationships at UNI and how those sibling dynamics change when you share the same college campus.
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brotherly bond is hard to break. The feeling of trust, responsibility and care that they possess from growing up side by side is something untouchable. A brother is someone you go to in your time of need, someone you talk to when you feel there is no one else and a steady force when all else seems like it’s one sneeze away from falling apart However, there comes a time in many brothers’ lives when they have to be apart. That steady presence that you’re so used to goes away and you’re left with an odd hole in your chest as you attempt to figure out how you’re going to be able to function without someone who’s been beside you since you learned how to walk. Just ask UNI students Michael and Ethan Spahn. See BROTHERS, page 3
Courtesy Photo Michael Spahn (left) and Ethan Spahn (right) walking to class together on campus.
New NISG leaders plan to bring their advocacy to the Capitol
Salazar’s passion to make a difference started in 6th grade
Courtesy Photo/@gabrielanddeedee4uni on Instagram Gabriel Salazar (left) and Dee Dee Benton (right) stand in front of UNI’s Campanile.
By Olivia Harrington Assistant News Editor During the 2025-26 school year, when Gabriel Salazar was the vice president of Northern Iowa Student Government and second-in-command to President Alli Webster, one of their main focuses was informing students across campus about NISG and what it did for the university.
Now elected president of NISG for the coming academic year, Salazar and his vice president, DeeDee Benton, want to continue spreading the word about NISG to UNI and to the state legislature in Des Moines. See NISG, page 3
THIS WEEK IN Board of Regents: The Iowa Board of Regents will meet for its monthly meeting on April 22 and 23. This month includes several key agenda items for the University of Northern Iowa, including program changes, a proposed tuition increase and the razing of the Alumni House. The university will be proposing several department changes, including the termination of three programs currently being offered. UNI is requesting termination of the professional science masters in industrial mathematics, MA in psychology and MA in teaching English in secondary schools. Industrial mathematics and MA in psychology both have had zero enrolled students since 2020 and 2024. The teaching English program has 45 students currently enrolled, and will transition to an emphasis area within an existing master of arts in English. Secondly, the university is requesting to merge the Department of Sociology and the Department of Geography to create a newly named School of Community and Geographic Innovation. The new school will align with both academic trends and workplace demands, and should reduce overhead costs, resulting in resource savings. Additionally, UNI is requesting approval for a new online bachelor of science in cybersecurity and network administration program. UNI currently offers an on-campus, face-to-face cybersecurity and system administration program. This request would be to offer an online version of the major in addition to the existing in-person program. MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT
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