Iowa State students living in the residence halls will no longer have to look at just drab colored carpeting and walls.

After five years of controversy and discussion by students and staff, a new door policy has be instated. The students will finally get to decide if they want decorations posted on the outside on their dormitory doors.

In 1992, materials were banned from being posted on dormitory doors after some decorations were found to be threatening and demeaning toward people because of their racial background, sexual orientation or gender.

Students have argued for five years with the Department of Residence for door decorations to be allowed. Many said this decision violated their First Amendment right to free speech.

Now the decision to allow dormitory door decorations has silently emerged.

Students should have every right to express themselves. The Department of Residence should have no say in what students wear, eat, say or anything else that falls under the First Amendment.

The students now have the choice of whether they want things displayed on their doors in their house.

Of course there will probably be instances where someone will put up something which offends someone. But we live in the real world. Everyone in the real word isn’t nice, not racist or not sexist. We’re adults. We can handle it.

Now, students can put message boards on their doors and other things that will make college life easier. No longer will friends have to look at those little university-provided name tags giving the residents’ names and hometowns.

After five years of being in the spotlight, you’d think there would be more of a celebration about the Department of Residence’s decision.