DeKALB | Administrators stood in the MLK Commons handing chalk to passersby and encouraging them to write messages of happiness and unity.

The initiative, which took place Wednesday, was partially in response to the presidential election, which has struck fear into some members of the NIU community.

“Truly, really and truly, our students are all loved,” said Lisa Miner, director of Institutional Communications. “And we wanted to make sure that, now more than ever, that they know that.”

Miner, who wrote her own chalk messages, was among multiple administrators who participated in the initiative, including Chief Diversity Officer Vernese Edghill-Walden and Thomas Phillips, NIU chief of police.