There’s a little boy who’s dying. His name is Ryan Mack. He has a disease which can only be cured by a bone marrow transplant. Lutheran General Hospital is testing potential doners on Sunday, Oct. 21. (1-800-654-1247 for more info.)

I was given a flyer explaining the situation and asking me to come and be tested.

I took it to the University Programming and Activities Office to get approval before hanging copies up around campus. They told me no.

They said I have to have a sponsorship from an on-campus organization before they would rubber stamp it OK.

In having this policy, NIU sends the message that an individual, regardless of his or her intentions, means nothing without organizational backing.

I wasn’t promoting a volleyball game. The very nature of this flyer warrants its own approval. The fact that I must first apply for sponsorship or jump through any other bureaucratic hoops to get it officially displayed is wrong.

Bruce DeBruyne

Senior

Business