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Monday, March 16, 2015
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Perspective
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Faith Mellenthin | Northern Star
Students must vote in executive elections so all voices are heard
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Mohammed Taha Faridi Columnist
Students should vote in the Student Association executive elections so they can have representatives who will voice their opinions to NIU administrators. The SA’s main job is to allocate $7 million in student fees to cover the needs of students. That $7 million should be spent according to and for students, and more students voting means more students will have input on where that money goes. Only 2,600 students voted last year
and the SA is aiming to bringing in 5,000 this semester. That 2,600 is about 13 percent of the 19,507 students who were enrolled during the spring 2014 semester. When the SA makes a decision, it should be making it on behalf of all students — not just 13 percent. “I think a really important part of not just school life but life in general is exercising your right — your political right — to vote,” said SA Elections Commissioner David White. “I think it’s really important to make sure that your voice is heard.” If students have problems with things like parking permits, buses or program cuts, the SA can work with NIU to change things. For example, the SA is currently creating the Barsema Express bus route to get
Letter to the Editor
NIU ‘shenanigans’ make it unattractive to students Jordan Anderson Junior marketing major
I was appalled to read that NIU would spend $138 million (privately funded, thank Neptune) to upgrade athletic facilities. I was even more disgusted to read that it was being pitched as a way to help falling enrollment. I realize that it’s unlikely that anyone of importance (NIU President Doug Baker) will read this letter to the editor, but let’s get real here: NIU doesn’t have a problem getting students to enroll here; it has a problem getting them to want to stick around. I was a student who was excited to transfer to DeKalb. I’m not even through two semesters and already I find myself wanting to leave. This isn’t a matter of disliking school; I’m highly
motivated to obtain my degree. But, is it worth enduring NIU’s shenanigans to get my degree here? Where is tuition money going when there are so many problems? Enrollment is falling because NIU’s wide inaction makes it an unattractive place to stay. Making NIU a more attractive place to come will do nothing to solve the enrollment problem. Let’s face facts. If I get five of my friends together, I can count the number of free parking spaces on campus on our fingers and toes. Not even visitors can park here without shelling out money. And even if one does buy a parking pass, good luck finding parking in a timely manner past 9 a.m.
Read Online | bit.ly/1bbal6j
students to and from Barsema Hall. If you go The SA took into consideration the concerns of students who talked at What: Student Association a Feb. 11 focus group about havexecutive elections to determine ing trouble getting to and from the the SA president, vice president, building and worked to help them. treasurer and a student trustee to “It’s important to pick your stuserve on the Board of Trustees dent leaders. All students should When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 24 have their voice heard and they and 25 really aren’t if they’re not going Where: Voting will be online out to vote,” said SA Speaker Dilthis year with polling stations lon Domke. in Barsema Hall, DuSable Hall, To improve voter turnout, the SA Founders Memorial Library, the implemented online voting, which Holmes Student Center and the shows it is trying to accommodate Recreation Center. Vote online at all students and their schedules. To niu.collegiatelink.net. vote at a polling station, students will just need to swipe their OneCards and vote. exercise their basic rights and make Voting isn’t a hard thing to do, but an effort to choose the best represenit is a big deal. By voting, students tative to be the voice of students.
See what’s a pass and what’s a fail as judged by Perspective Editor Rachel Scaman.
Pass
Fail
Warm weather to arrive in DeKalb
SA called meeting off, gave no reason
There is a high of 72 degrees today and I can finally feel spring coming to DeKalb. The warm temperature and the sun will sure be a benefit to students starting up school. The snow can melt, the sun will be out and you’ll probably see people in shorts. Although the temperature is supposed to drop within the next few days, it’s a pleasant knowing the people of DeKalb can look forward to weather that is finally above freezing. There’s a slight chance of snow during the end of the week, but the temperature is supposed to be in the 50s by the weekend. Soak all the sun and warmth in, DeKalb. Spring is just around the corner and summer will be here before we know it.
The Student Association Senate chose not to have its meeting Sunday. That wasn’t a very smart move since executive elections are coming up. The SA is the voice of the student body and the Senate is supposed to meet Sundays. After not having a meeting on March 8 and with executive elections coming up on March 24, not having a meeting Sunday was not the right move at this time. The SA Senate should also be more transparent if it is going to decide not to have a meeting. There is no announcement online — or anywhere — explaining why the SA decided to not have a meeting Sunday. If the SA is going to choose not to have a meeting, the senators should at least let the students know why.