The Student Association and Holmes Student Center Bookstore officials have effectively worked together in initiating a bookstore “charge it” system.

Beginning in the fall semester, students should be able to charge textbooks and other necessary school supplies using their student ID card. The plan is expected to be completed around June and bookstore employees will be trained on the system this summer.

The plan appears to be well-thought-out and protected since the uncollected charges will be monitored by the NIU Bursar’s Office. But the beauty of the plan is students will not be charged interest like they would be if they used credit cards.

In this way, if students are too burdened with tuition and room-and-board costs at the beginning of the semester, they will be able to put off their book expenses. This especially will be beneficial to students who might still be waiting for financial aid and loan checks.

Students also will not be required to make a payment until 30 days after their purchase. This seems to be a realistic time estimate for students to get started on part-time jobs and settle into their classes.

If things work according to plan, the charge system will be successful and beneficial to students. The SA and bookstore officials have worked on this project for a while and it will be great to see these efforts turn into a functioning system.