DeKALB | About 35 students protested in favor of a better facility for the Asian American community 4 p.m. today in the MLK Commons. 

The Asian American Resource Center was given to students 12 years ago and was intended as a temporary space for the community to host events and give students a sense of home away from home. NIU did not give the students a new space.

Chief Diversity Officer Vernese Edghill-Walden and Eric Weldy, vice president of academic affairs and enrollment, attended the event to hear the students out. Edghill-Walden became aware of the issue about one year ago and has met with students since.

“The event went really well,” said Samantha Maniago, junior pre-physical therapy major and member of the Asian American Resource Center Renovation Committee.

The Asian American Resource Center Renovation Committee meets 5 p.m. Thursday in the Holmes Student Center, Gallery Lounge, or the Gabel Hall Learning Center.