Five members of the Board of Regents went to NIU’s football game in Las Vegas last weekend. Their trip was paid for by the NIU Foundation, which is funded by private donations. The Student Regents from Sangamon State University and Illinois State University both attended. NIU Student Regent Nick Valadez turned down the trip—”as a principle.”

Regents are not paid to be on the board. Theoretically, they are compensated in an intangible sense—knowing they have put forth their best efforts to make the regency universities successful. Tangible compensation comes in the form of free attendance at university athletic and entertainment events, various dinner functions and other similar activities.

When the Regents accepted their appointments, they knew they would not be paid, so presumably they accepted because they believe in higher education, generally, and in the regency system, specifically. Free admission to university functions, special dinners and other similar “perks” should be sufficient to show appreciation for the Regents’ efforts on behalf of the university.

Expensive trips, complete with airline tickets and hotel accommodations, seem excessive in accomplishing this goal. The Student Regents from ISU and SSU definitely should not have accepted the Las Vegas trip.

The Student Regents’ most important function on the board is to represent the students—the people who are facing a spring tuition increase, rising activity fees, decreasing availability of financial aid and a decreasing likelihood of four-year undergraduate careers. In light of these factors, it is irrelevant that the trip was not paid for with student fees.

Perhaps the ISU and SSU Student Regents were not uncomfortable about accepting the trip because it was paid for by an organization affiliated with NIU, not with their universities. Or maybe they just didn’t give it any real thought. But Valadez‘ refusal to accept the trip to Las Vegas should have clued them in that there might be something inappropriate about going.

The students at ISU and SSU might want to spend some time reflecting on the poor judgment shown by their Student Regents. And students at NIU should be thankful for a Regent who understands that some things are simply a matter of principle.