I recently walked into the University Bookstore and noticed how little things have changed. There were still plenty of books and school supplies to peruse. Then, while I was waiting in the checkout line, I noticed a small exception: memorial pins.

A black ribbon pin and a pin bearing the words “Forward, Together Forward” were on sale. When I asked the store clerks if the proceeds went to the February 14 Student Scholarship Fund, the student checking out next to me chuckled and said, “I doubt it.”

Think back to earlier this year. An ambitious group of students decided to show their support for victims of the Cole Hall tragedy by selling memorial T-shirts through a partnership with the University Bookstore. Proceeds were intended for the February 14 Student Scholarship Fund.

According to a Feb. 26 Northern Star article, NIU officials quickly ended their endeavor and others like it due to sensitivity issues. Now those same officials are turning around and doing exactly what they prohibited: selling memorial items.

Although officials are not directly selling these items, they did give permission to the University Bookstore to sell the black ribbon pins. Apparently, officials think students’ memories are short term.

“I don’t know anything about that,” said Michael Malone, vice president of University Advancement and Development. It’s ironic, since he’s the same person who initially talked to the Northern Star back in February about the ban on selling memorial items.

President John Peters could not be reached for comment.

“[The] administration gave us permission and [afterward] we placed an order for the pins,” said Don Turk, manager of the University Bookstore. “Students came in asking for the pins. Since they are such a small item to track and audit, we decided to sell them at cost, so we’re not donating any proceeds to the scholarship fund.”

Turk also said people can donate to the February 14 Student Scholarship Fund through the bookstore’s Web site.

When I first saw the pins, I assumed the proceeds would go to charity. I find the sale of these items a bit deceitful. I also looked at the University Bookstore’s Web site and found the pins for sale, but I was unable to find a link for the February 14 Student Scholarship Fund.

The administration’s approval to sell the memorial items that do not benefit the victims nor the February 14 Student Scholarship Fund is inappropriate. Either sell them with the profit going to the victims or don’t sell them at all.

If a student really wants a pin that badly and they are unwilling to give an extra dollar or so, they don’t understand the reason for selling the pins in the first place: Remembering and helping those affected by the tragedy.