A journalism degree from NIU is costing many students more than it should for an education.

Because of the lack of classes offered over the last few years, several journalism students have been forced to stay at NIU an additional semester just to finish a degree.

Several teachers have left and the journalism area has struggled to replace them in a timely manner. This is because of a lack of applicants and the superfluous steps needed to hire more teachers.

First, we are not admonishing the program for not granting tenure to poor teachers. The problem lies in the bureaucratic process that lags as students vie for spots in courses.

Journalism students are not getting the quality education they deserve.

Teachers are forced to teach more students than they should have to at once and everyone suffers.

Many students have been forced into independent study courses just to finish their degree on time. This adjustment is a good recovery move, considering the position students are in. However, this cannot be a long-term solution.

The existing instructors have done a great job with what they have. Some have taken overload classes to accommodate students attempting to finish their degrees on time.

At times, NIU President John Peters has interjected on the journalism area’s behalf. This is good. We need this situation to be rectified, and if this has to come from the top, so be it.

One temporary solution that the area has already utilized is to bring in instructors who do not have advanced teaching degrees but have extensive field experience. Good teachers don’t have to come from the traditional path.

There have been some good hires this semester, and we hope it continues in this direction. Even with those additions, the problem of getting classes still exists.

The program is in a crucial stage where it can stay afloat or descend into mediocrity. NIU needs to fast-track the hiring process to add more teachers – and classes – as soon as possible.