A hearty thanks should be extended to everyone involved in last week’s furniture show in Lincoln Hall.

The show was designed to get student input on how eight rooms in Lincoln and Douglas Halls might be remodelled this summer.

Residence hall life is very important to a college campus, although it is often laughed at. Nevertheless, it is hard to ignore that more than 5,000 students—20 percent of NIU’s enrollment—live in the residence halls.

Any attempt to include the students in the decision-making process is vital. After all, they will be the room’s occupants.

Allowing the student’s input shows the administration is trying to take the steps needed to quell the existing animosity between themselves and students. Everyone at one time or another has complained about the bureaucratic red tape that engulfs NIU, as well as many other organizations.

But the little things in life help. Obviously students don’t realize what type of budget is being worked with during the room remodeling. Students usually don’t immediately consider that furniture must be reasonably priced as well as safe for a residence hall room.

And because the administration is collecting student input, students don’t need to be burdened with such decisions. Their input is on what matters to them the most, how the furniture looks and how well it can be used. The administration then can take the student’s opinions and put it together with the other aspects to find the best solution.