NIU’s search for a new vice president for Student Affairs has failed to turn up the hard hitters this institution needs.

The vice presidential position is an important and high-paying job at NIU. When Jon Dalton left the office to join the Florida State University, he earned more than $70,000 annually.

None of the five final candidates appear to have the background or experience for such an important job with such a high salary. Aside from Barbara Henley, who has two years experience at NIU, the other candidates come from universities that many consider to be a notch or two below NIU. Some of the candidates even have less than one year’s experience in their current position.

NIU is a university on the upswing. It should attract administrators from schools on our level or above. A university trying to better itself should not pull up rookies, it should bring in experienced people who can help NIU move upward.

For whatever reason, NIU was unable to attract candidates from top-notch universities. Therefore, the search committee either should go with Henley, who at least has two years of experience at NIU going for her, or launch a new search for people who fit NIU’s specific needs.

Of course, if Henley gets the job, she should move to DeKalb from her home in Chicago in order to adequately fill the job requirements and be better available to students.