DeKALB | The NIU Faculty Senate met Wednesday to discuss issues ranging from coping with the Antinette Keller situation to improving campus facilities.

Faculty Senate President Alan Rosenbaum opened the meeting by asking attendees to observe a moment of silence in honor of Keller.

Rosembaum then read letters the Senate had received expressing condolences regarding Keller, and then read a letter he planned on sending to Keller’s family.

The letter Rosenbaum planned on sending to Keller’s family sent along the prayers and well-wishes of the entire Faculty Senate.

Debbie Haliczer, director of employee relations, said the Employee Assistance Program planned on making counselors available to talk with faculty about how Keller’s disappearance has affected them.

One of the functions of the Faculty Senate is to allow faculty and staff to meet and discuss issues pertinent to them, Rosenbaum said.

One of the issues discussed was whether people who aren’t enrolled in a particular class like friends or children should be allowed to be in the room while class is in session.

The university does not have an official written policy on the subject, but several faculty members said they assumed it was up to the discretion of the teacher.

“Do I have a right to ask the kid to leave, or do I have an obligation to the other students?” asked University Ombudsman Tim Griffin.

Griffin said all students had the right to a non-disruptive learning environment, and wondered if he could hold a parent asked to remove a child from the classroom accountable for missing class.

Brigid Lusk, chair of Nursing and Health Studies , said she saw the issue as a feminist one. Lusk said students, especially mothers with children “shouldn’t be hampered” in their education because they have children.

Just because the issue was discussed does not mean action will necessarily be taken, Rosenbaum said.

“It’s just as likely the Senate won’t bring it up [again],” he said. “I don’t think this is a major issue.”

Rosenbaum also discussed plans to pay for improvement to campus facilities, such as a new roof for the Holmes Student Center, renovation of Grant Towers Residence Halls , a new outdoor sports complex and resurfaced bike paths.

When non-education buildings are worked on, it is paid for by bonds, Rosenbaum said.

Improvements will be paid for by a student housing fee – a sliding fee between $55 and $122 per student over a four-semester period. The Student Association had already approved the fee, Rosenbaum said.

The next Faculty Senate meeting will be Nov. 17.