Pass

NIU President Doug Baker announced Wednesday that the university will credit the Monetary Award Program grants to qualifying students through the spring semester if the state does not pass a budget by the beginning of the year. While the governor and state lawmakers continue their irresponsible budget standoff that has negatively impacted many in our community, including students, NIU has taken it upon itself to uphold the needs of students. MAP grant recipients throughout NIU have waited with anticipation for any news on MAP funding. With this announcement, their wait is finally over. Fortunately for those relying on this funding, NIU is doing what is necessary and responsible so students who are trying to further their futures are not hurt by inaction from their leaders in the state government.

Fail

A Thursday Northern Star article shed light on status of the Stevens Building, which remains unfinished because of the state budget impasse. In order to avoid $1 million in winter damage, NIU must spend $300,000 in maintenance costs. This is much higher than the $50,000 that was originally projected. It is unfortunate that instead of this money going back into the university, NIU must spend it on a project that should have already been funded by Illinois. State lawmakers are continuously hurting the future education of students by their unwillingness to work out a budget that responsibly funnels money to projects that have already been established. By not funding the completion of the Stevens Building, the state shows yet again that they are not prioritizing student needs.