Students returning from their summer vacations may have noticed several changes to campus, many of which come in the wake of the Feb. 14 shootings.

One such change is the addition of the Office of Support & Advocacy, located in Gilbert Hall, Room 123. Looking to support those closest to the tragedy, the new office was created for the benefit of students who were enrolled in the Geology 104 and Computer Science 201 classes last semester.

On Feb. 14, a gunman entered Room 101 of Cole Hall and opened fire, killing five students and injuring 18 others before killing himself.

“The office was established to support the students who were in Cole Hall at the time of the tragedy, as well as their families,” said Scott Peska, director of Office of Support & Advocacy. “That is the population that likely needs the most assistance.”

Peska hopes with school back in session, students who previously had been uncomfortable discussing their feelings will take advantage of the newly available counselors. With an emphasis on togetherness, the office offers a variety of counseling methods.

“We know some students may have academic concerns and emotional struggles,” Peska said. “For some students, there are prompts that may make it difficult to adjust to campus life, and that’s why we are offering counseling assistance, both individual and group.”

In addition to personal counseling, the office has set up a number of programs in a further effort to unite those affected by the tragedy. The office has several outings planned, including monthly dinners and a day at one of NIU’s football games.

Sheryl Frye, assistant director of counseling for the office of Support and Advocacy, has worked as a social worker for over 10 years, two at NIU. She admits that the Feb. 14 shootings showed her a different side of people and helped justify her life in social work.

“As a member of the university community who was here on 2-14, I felt a calling to serve in this role,” Frye said. “I just love NIU and the students at NIU, so I felt like I needed to step up to the plate in this position.”

Frye has held positions at other schools such as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois State University, but working with the students at NIU is especially rewarding for her, Frye said. Every connection she establishes with a student, she said, goes toward helping the collective student body feel more at ease in the classroom.

“I believe that one of the greatest joys in life is our connection to other people,” Frye said. “Counselors have the opportunity to form relationships with people that are private and confidential, but they let us share their joys and pains and frustrations. Our clients honor us with that.”