With surveys and more surveys telling us that most of the high school and college students are suffering in many academic areas, it is refreshing to see that the problem is being tackled on two levels.

Last week, after some heated debate, NIU decided to increase admission requirements for entering freshmen. Effective in 1993, the new requirements will ensure that students wishing to pursue a college education have under their belts four years of English, three years of math, three years of science and social science and two years of art, film, foreign language, music or theater.

By promoting these institutions to offer the necessary required courses for entrance to NIU, we are not only helping ourselves, but we are giving a good push to secondary education as a whole.

Forcing students to take courses is not an educator’s favorite method of ensuring that the learning process works. However, it seems in the days of apathetic students at all levels, we have no choice. Since many high school students who are interested in attending college usually attempt to meet NIU’s new requirements on advice from their guidance counselor, parents, etc., enforcing the new policy will help make sure all students get the preparatory education they need.

More students need to become aware of the vast amount of opportunity and culture that is offered through education. If NIU is serious about giving a quality education to as many students as possible, it has taken a step in the right direction.