NIU is not getting its money’s worth.

The Student Association pays $22,000 each year for membership in the Illinois Student Association that gives them nothing in return.

Most recently, the ISA appointed Dave Hopkins from Sangamon State University in Springfield to be its representative on the Joint Committee on College Tuition.

The major problem is not with the choice of Hopkins. The problem is that ISA officials seem to believe it is not important to consult NIU and see how its SA feels about the selection or if they have any other recommendations.

In fact, SA President Rob McCormack was not even notified by ISA Director David Starette or his staff that Hopkins was going to be recommended, or even that there had been a selection process.

SA Vice President Tanya Smith, who is the NIU representative on ISA, said she was not satisfied with the selection of Hopkins for the tuition committee because she and other board members did not have a chance to review his credentials. In addition, Hopkins was recommended only by ISU.

“Northern Illinois does not want to be taken for granted,” Smith said.

And she is right. NIU should not be taken for granted, especially when $22,000 of NIU money is being thrown into the pot.

If the ISA does not feel NIU is important, maybe NIU should consider the importance of the ISA and pull its money out.