The university is a step closer to having a charge card for the Holmes Student Center Bookstore.

The green light was recently given to the project, and now the only thing left to do is get the charge card charging.

The charge card is a good idea because it will most likely increase the bookstore’s revenue. Increased revenue means more money for bond revenue buildings and effectively a less or more stable student fee.

The charge card also will help students receiving financial aid. Often, these students have to buy their books before they receive their money, or not buy their books until they get their check.

Students must be responsible for their purchases, and this also would be a good way to teach one of those lessons that is best learned outside the classroom. NIU can protect itself from default by keeping track of the charges through the registration and records of past and present students

Not allowing students that defaulted on their purchases to sign up for class or receive grade records is one way to manage the system.

It is foolish to believe that the system will come on line without any bugs. Undoubtedly, it will take a while before the system is considered a “part” of NIU.

However, we need to work toward this, and other improvements if NIU is to keep its respected tradition of an institute of higher education.