Although construction in the Wirtz Quadrangle is mostly completed, University Police say they still are inconvenienced by the project.

“We’re surviving. It’s a change, but we’re living with it,” said UP Chief James Elliott.

The area between Wirtz Hall and the UP department still seems dark at night, but temporary lighting has been installed, said Patty Perkins, assistant to Eddie Williams, vice president of Finance and Planning.

“We did as much as we could—as much as we felt was reasonable knowing a final lighting plan is on the boards,” Perkins said.

A capital development project to revamp the lighting system on the east side of the NIU campus is in the works, Perkins said.

The project will intensify lighting along the East Lagoon, behind Swen Parson Hall, Lowden Hall, Faraday Hall and between Altgeld Hall and Lowden Hall, she said.

“The current system is on an ancient circuit. Like old-fashioned Christmas tree lights, if one light went out, they all did. We’re updating the light, conduit poles and lamps,” she said.

Perkins said the lack of visitor parking spaces in front of the UP department will not change. “It’s a little more inconvenient. Our squads and unmarked cars are now located farther away,” Elliott said.

Elliott said UP station visitors have been parking illegally in front of the building and in squad car parking, but so far the situation had not been abused.