It seems the funding problems of NIU get worse every day. Contrary to what some might think, these problems do not go away. In fact, they seem to get worse and worse.

Now, the classroom is not the only place suffering from a lack of state funding. The Physical Plant has been suffering some problems of its own. Since last year the number of work orders the plant must take care of has doubled. Not only are there no additional employees to take care of these problems, but because of a supposed “lack of funding,” the number of Physical Plant employees has been reduced with the budget.

The university has to do something to get these work orders taken care of. NIU is the second largest university in the state and has acquired three buildings in the last five years. Perhaps the university should concentrate on what it has now, rather than attempting to expand.

Right now, work orders entailing health and safety orders are not getting taken care of because of the intense amount of work.

Broken shower heads and leaking toilets in residence halls have been in such conditions for weeks, offices have had delays in work order requests, and Grant Towers North has needed screen repairs since last semester.

Aging buildings, faulty plumbing and old fire alarm systems are the cause of the overload, according to the physical plant superintendent. Edward O’Donnell said the lack of employees makes it impossible to take the needed preventative maintenance measures.

If this university cannot even keep its buildings in safe and convenient conditions, the issue is extremely serious.

There is little chance NIU can grow or improve if its buildings cannot even be kept operational. The lack of state funding is not only affecting salaries and quality of education, but now even safety. How long can this go on?