Just glance at the name of the Student Association’s campaign to stomp out legislation that could end 50-cent draft nights and you’ll see what type of brain trust we have at the helm of NIU’s student government.

“Save our beer!” — that’s the plea from the SA, which is organizing a caravan to attend tonight’s DeKalb City Council meeting, where members may vote on whether to raise minimum liquor prices at establishments in DeKalb.

Last week, the Northern Star printed an editorial that pegged the legislation as a short-cited and ill-conceived attempt at controlling binge drinking. We still stand by our opinion, but feel the SA’s ludicrous title for the campaign against the legislation only reinforces the stereotypes the city council has of NIU students.

It’s discouraging to think that our student leadership couldn’t come up with a more tactful name, but it’s even more troubling that the rarely-visible SA didn’t think of this idea sooner — say, two weeks ago when the legislation was tabled. Even if students show up, it will do little to dissuade proponents of the legislation.

But just think: what if the SA were to use this fire and vigor for other issues on campus? Is “saving our beer” really the most pressing issue on campus at the moment? What about an emboldened plan that promotes diversity, campus interaction and involvement?

Tonight’s vote is important, but the SA dropped the ball in moving against the legislation too late, now making NIU students look like poorly-informed boozers who are outraged at the idea of losing a cheap beer night.

The SA’s eleventh-hour pitch to block the legislation is embarrassing and brings our leadership’s priorities into serious question.