NIU officials outlined increased safety precautions for campus following a reclassification of missing student Antinette Keller’s case as a death investigation.

Brad Hoey, team leader of media relations and internal communications, said NIU has raised campus safety precautions due to the change in status of the investigation.

“The university is taking some steps to heighten safety and security measures,” Hoey said.

Residence hall access is restricted to NIU students, who must swipe their NIU OneCard for entry. Students must show their Residence Hall Entry Card from 9 p.m to 7 a.m. The hours were originally 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“We intend the restricted access to be in place until we have a little more information on the case,” said Brian Hemphill, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.

Quiawanya Lewis, freshman fashion merchandising major, said she believes the NIU Police are just doing their job to keep the campus safe.

“I’m glad that they are worried about us,” said freshman nursing major Jessica Pitsenbarger.

Freshman business major Wei Jiet Ung said the measures are only an inconvenience, calling them a “a waste of time.”

Some students feel no difference in campus safety after the discovery of human remains in Prairie Park, while others are worried.

“I feel safe…I don’t think people have anything to worry about on campus,” said sophomore journalism major Andrew Epstein.

Kevin Wu, sophomore political science major, said he feels safer on campus than off because of the greater police presence at NIU. But the news of the possible discovery of Keller’s body had him “a little on edge right now.”

Epstein stressed that accidents and crime occur everywhere, and that the best response is personal vigilance.

“You have to follow [DeKalb’s] rules, not make your own,” he said.

Hemphill said that students should be careful about their own safety at all times.

“We encourage people to be more intentional about their own safety,” Hemphill said.

Hemphill also said that, despite the investigation, students shouldn’t feel like they aren’t safe on campus and in DeKalb.

“Based on my conversations with the authorities…they have given us no reason to believe that there is a continued threat in the community,” Hemphill said. “I feel that DeKalb is a safe community. I feel that NIU is a safe university.”

NIU police are offering extra security services for students, faculty and staff.

Twenty-four hour security escorts are available, and the Late Night Ride service’s hours are extended from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. The hours were originally from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The campus remains open and classes will follow a regular schedule.

Editor’s note: Staff Writer John Bachmann contributed to the article