Hey NIU students, either put up or shut up.

Today is your chance to tell the government to take a hike some place other than your tuition bill.

A Joint Committee on College Tuition formed by the General Assembly with students, legislators and educational professionals will be on hand to hear why tuition is already too high. Tell them at the Holmes Student Center’s Regency Room from 9 a.m. to noon.

The legislature prohibited all public universities in Illinois from increasing tuition until the committee completes its work. The report is due in January.

The common collegiate attitude is to simply gripe because students’ views are not valued or because the student can’t find the time to articulate those views.

But those misconceptions will never be shattered if student’s don’t throw their two cents in.

The meeting offers everyone affiliated with NIU a chance. A chance is what this country thrives on and is necessary to ensure its growth and prosperity.

Today is your chance. Listen to what is said. Don’t beat the same points into the ground.

Take the time to tell these people you are going to change the college student stereotype. Tell them you’re going to vote. Tell them you’re going to remember what happens.

Today’s meeting is for your benefit. It’s a chance to mix it up with the people who might change things. Right now, it’s the best chance NIU’s got.