The Student Association should let the chairman of the Student Political Education and Action Committee—SPEAC—be paid.

The committee is chaired by the president or a designee and is designed to help NIU students become informed of political issues. SPEAC is most noteworthy for its involvement in the Day of Action protests.

The committee, if used effectively, could be a major force on campus. SPEAC cannot take any action unless approved by the entire senate, so its activities are kept in check.

The committee chair also would be the SA’s representative to the Illinois Student Association. The ISA works with colleges throughout the state to benefit students and education.

The SPEAC chair should be informed of the issues and can coordinate any action between NIU and the ISA. If their views differ, SPEAC is not bound to take up the ISA’s battle.

The SPEAC chair is not an easy job because people associate far left or far right views when they hear political action, and thus won’t be receptive or willing to help. We also can’t forget that NIU isn’t the most politically active place in the world.

It will take a lot of work to get the committee to work on different issues instead of having to be asked. But that is what is needed in order for the committee to be productive.

If it takes a couple of dollars for the committee to get on its feet again, then so be it.