Bill Nicklas, vice president of Public Safety, and NIU Police Chief Tom Phillips spoke with Student Association Senate about gunfire Friday at the Travel Inn.

The Senate’s Sunday meeting also featured an appearance from Eric Weldy, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Nicklas and Phillips focused on Friday’s incident, when a fight led to at least one shot being fired. There were only minor injuries in the incident, and 12 people were arrested.

“I’m happy to say that the people instigating the incident are in custody,” Nicklas said.

Nicklas said the NIU police did their best using communication to make the community aware the incident was being taken care of.

“I want to assure everyone in this university that I will not compromise security,” Phillips said.

Eric Weldy

Weldy spoke with the senate about trying to make NIU a desirable community for current and incoming students.

“There is no better time to be a student at NIU than now,” Weldy said.

Weldy said he has never seen a president like Doug Baker, who has “zeal, excitement and [is] so engaged.”

Weldy also said he is working on student retention. Senator Alexander Summers suggested a mentoring program be developed and said faculty, alumni, upperclassmen, transfer students and freshmen could be a part of it.

Baker has asked Weldy to oversee a student alumni mentorship program that will pilot in either late November or early December.

Other business

Senator Nathan Lupstein was appointed as the chairman of Campus Life & Greek Affairs.

To Write Love on Her Arms, an organization that will host meetings for people to discuss their issues with depression, self injury and more, was recognized by SA. The organization will also direct members to professional counsel.

James Forman has been appointed the SA’s director of Public affairs.

“James has a passion for public affairs and he has experience,” said Mike Theodore, SA chief of staff. “One thing I am excited about is that he is known for bringing new things into an organization.”

Forman plans on bettering the advertising for all athletics home games and increasing attendance to the games. Forman is also hoping to make the next SA elections available online.

Forman is “looking forward to working with the student body and Student Association to better NIU as a whole.”