There are many things in life that just don’t really make sense. People commit random acts of stupidity on a daily basis, but such commissions are even worse when they’re actually planned and budgeted.

The entertainment industry is a chronic offender & does “Legend of the Drunken Master,” or “Barb Wire” or cringe! “Xanadu” ring a broken bell?

In the supposedly more practical real-life arena, consider our own government.

In the 1950s and ’60s, America was wrapped up in a space war to be bigger, better and faster than our Cold War counterpart, the U.S.S.R.

Back when the space program really was getting under way, the Americans spent millions of dollars and hours of research trying to find a pen that would write in zero gravity.

Eventually, they accomplished their goal and that multi-million dollar wonder is now available in your finer convenience stores for around $10.

You know what the Russians did? They used a pencil!

It’s just one of those moments that makes you wonder, “What were we thinking?”

As I look around our campus, I see the overwhelming incriminating evidence of administrators and students alike gone stupid.

Exhibit A: The carpet in Founders Memorial Library

Does anyone else go into convulsions immediately after walking through the book-stealer detectors?

That combination of blue, orange (or is it burnt sienna?), red and yellow has no right to be assembled. It looks like the interior design team was inspired by Cher’s wardrobe, circa 1976.

If first impressions are worth anything, this has got to go. Founders Memorial is a great library with a lot to offer, but you’d never realize it because of the twitch that stays with you as you dig your way through the periodicals.

Exhibit B: The room numbers in Reavis and Watson halls

How is it possible that Room 200 is on a higher floor than Room 230? I burned more calories my freshman year running around in search of the communication department than I did on the Rec’s StairMasters. I know there are others out there who feel my pain.

According to my kindergarten teacher, the natural progression of numbers indicates that “1” comes before “2,” which is followed by “3,” and so on. One would expect this to carry over from the mathematical world to the flesh-and-blood world.

And what’s even worse, Watson is home to the math department!

At least they’re consistent, though. Both buildings are equally messed up.

Exhibit C: The bathrooms in DuSable Hall

Who did they build these things for? The Oompa Loompas?

You know what I’m talking about, ladies.

You pray no one else is in there before you walk into the bathroom. If you’re unfortunate enough to have company, you make sure to leave more than the one obligatory buffer stall and crouch below the peek level. Yes, the “peek” level.

If you’re short, you can isolate yourself on the far side of the bathroom. If you’re tall, you end up booking an appointment with a chiropractor after you wash your hands.

Why do we go through this pain? Because it appears someone built the bathroom stall doors upside down, rendering a view from the waiting line of random women popping up and down behind the stalls, a la the carnival game Whack-a-Mole.

How hard would it be to just flip the stalls?

Exhibit D: The Student Association

How many clowns does it take for someone to consider the Sunday meetings a circus?

Week after week I hear accounts of meeting delays, money troubles and internal problems.

I’ll enter my caveat here: I do not believe that all SA members are out for their own personal game. There are certain figures on the inside trying to accomplish things for their constituents’ benefit.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of brick walls to hit and the detour is long and unpleasant.

The executive staff has an agenda. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. People go into office with goals in mind that they try to accomplish through their terms. Senators have a responsibility to work with the executive staff in an effort to make those goals fit the needs of the students.

Somewhere we have a disconnect.

What was the NIU administration thinking when they decided to allow students to establish their own governing body?

Obviously, they were thinking of the students, but are the students thinking of each other?

We need our representatives in there fighting fully for our interests, just like we expect our representatives in Congress to protect our Constitutional rights.

No one should have to ask why we are allowed a governing body. We should reserve such “what were they thinking?” moments to the less important issues.

I’m sure we can deal with seizure-inducing carpet, funky numbering and short bathroom stalls, but we should draw the line at allowing Barnum and Bailey to handle our money.