Updated: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 00:01

1. Students enjoy a respite from finals and take part in the late night breakfast in the Eagles’ Nest.

The staff members of the NPB and the Division of Student Life held a free late night breakfast event last Dec. 12 in the NEIU cafeteria. Tickets were distributed via NEIU email a week prior to this event, and in the Village Commons the day of the event. NEIU Student Media Coordinator, Tasha Neumeister, said “The free tickets were to promote students who would not normally be on campus at this time and also to serve as a reminder for the event.” By the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 8, all the late night breakfast tickets had been given away. There was talk amongst students about skipping the event because they had been unable to get tickets, and concerns over the student turnout. However, on the evening of Dec. 12 there was a strong turnout, resulting in a line tired and hungry pre-finals students running from the elevator to the cutlery and condiments station.

The smell of fresh brewed coffee filled the air as students made their way closer to the invisible threshold of ticket-takers that separated them from a free breakfast. Students were asked to take out their breakfast tickets or student IDs as they approached, and as they eagerly showed their tickets or NEIU cards, their tired faces turned into happy smiles.

As students walked through the breakfast line, they had the option of getting hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, pancakes with syrup, oatmeal, a pastry and a choice of either coffee, juice or water. The line of students quickly diminished as students occupied tables to gleefully eat, converse and study. After getting their food, students were eager to share their opinions about the event. Theresa G., a sophomore, said “I really like breakfast at night, so this is perfect! However, if they plan to do this next semester, I think it would be nice to offer some fruit.” Ruben E., a junior transfer student from UIC stated, “I’ve never stayed on campus past 5pm, I think this is a great idea because it promotes staying in school and studying. I think the food was great and the music was even better, and they should keep doing it.”

Before the breakfast line closed down, Terri Hlavin who is the Director of TRIO Student Support Services at NEIU happily said, “I really love this finals breakfast event at night, it gives me a chance to meet and greet the students and ask them how they are doing. I don’t really think there’s anything I would improve about this event, except maybe get more students come out and just celebrate with the other students.” According to NPB’s Event Coordinator, Kris Mika, the free late night breakfast event had been tried a year ago but it wasn’t nearly as successful. Dr. Ross, the Vice President for the Division of Student life at NEIU, said, “The number of students that came out tonight was amazing

Although the cafeteria was open until midnight; the late night breakfast, music (courtesy of DJ Dishwasa) and free massages were only available from 8pm until 10pm. Before the event was over, Veronica Rodriguez, the Assistant Director of Student Activities, estimated the total count of students attending at 240. Since the event resulted in such a large turnout, full tummies, friendly smiles and an atmosphere perfect for studying, this event is surely something many students and NEIU staff will look forward to next semester.