When NIU first redesigned the DuSable turnaround during the fall 2004 semester, all students did was complain.

Heaven help us if we have to walk an extra 100 feet to the doors of DuSable instead of being dropped off right in front of them.

With the drop off area more than a stone’s throw away from the building, students instead opted to cut across the grassy hills every day and leave a downtrodden trail behind them.

Over time, the grass was worn down and the turnaround design’s aesthetic qualities began to deteriorate.

So with the new fences installed along the edge of the grass, the Northern Star says thank you.

Thanks for, in the old man sense, keeping the kids off the grass.

Thank you for adding some much-needed plant life that will someday blossom and add to the visual appearance of the campus.

And while most people don’t like being told what to do, let alone where to walk, we hope that everyone will respect the new design and actually use the sidewalks.

Because, if you think about it, that’s what sidewalks are for.

We understand that when it rains, you want to get inside a little faster, but umbrellas never hurt anyone.

The winter months bring colder weather and snow, which somehow detracts students from walking across the grass.

Somehow, wet shoes and pants will keep people on the sidewalks. Odd.

If you want our campus to look nice, it all starts with you.

So if you don’t like those worn-down paths from building to building, stop using them.

If you cut across the grass because you’re late for class, leave a minute earlier. It’s that simple.

So keep off the grass, or we’ll have to get an old man out there to yell at you.

And no one wants to be yelled at.