As students fill NMU’s campus once again, they’re faced with a long list of changes for this semester, from dorm demolitions to the costs of school.

Down campus, students will have to weave around the demolition of Payne Hall. This game of fence-dodging brings memories swirling back to students and faculty of the construction of New Jamrich, which was mysterious and then brought forth a new gem on campus.

At the University Center, the bookstore has gotten a shiny Barnes and Noble overhaul, coupled with an updated website and process to get your hands on textbooks for this semester.

There’s also a full inventory of clothing and Wildcat gear with the new branding and logos.  On the monetary side, the maximum number of credits in flat-rate tuition have been cut from 18 to 16, hitting the wallets of seniors that had planned their last year based on the old rate, and students with larger course loads.

Add to that new fees for some courses. Add to that a 2.75 percent convenience fee if you choose to pay your e-bill with a credit or debit card.

Even with all these additions and fees, Northern remains the second most affordable university in Michigan. No doubt, the higher cost of education and the shifting appearance of campus is hard to swallow for some. The change that came with that cost hit hard to schedules, wallets and the overall look of Northern.

Is this the same campus that it was two or three years ago? It certainly doesn’t feel like it sometimes. The harsh reality of decreasing enrollment and rising tuition costs have forced NMU to change. Universities across the Midwest are changing and updating to attract more students. Change is necessary to keep up with the rest.
There have been cuts to budget, faculty and classes. It hurts when your favorite professor no longer works here, or you can’t graduate as planned due to a schedule mishap. However, some of that pain can be remedied with new academic and athletic programs, a new  campus and new logos to attract more students. More students means more money for NMU.
There have been painful changes, but down the road this might mean a better university for prospective
Wildcats.