In addition to holding a candlelight vigil on campus, NIU representatives will travel to Virginia Tech to attend memorial services next week.

Select student representatives, Student Affairs representatives and administration representatives will be present at the Virginia Tech memorial services to return some of the support Virginia Tech offered NIU after the Feb. 14 shootings, Provost Ray Alden said at University Council Wednesday.

“Since they have provided us so much support we wanted to not be intrusive, but at least show the support to them that they have given to us,” Alden said. “We will be giving them a plaque showing our gratitude.”

The intention of the plaque is to give Virginia Tech something that indicates NIU’s support for their memorial services, Alden said.

The plaque reads: “To the students, faculty, staff and administration of Virginia Tech in gratitude for the support and comfort provided in our time of need from the students, faculty, staff and administration of Northern Illinois University to the university’s one family,” Alden said.

True North update

During the brief meeting, University Council also discussed an update on True North.

True North, the first philanthropic capital campaign for NIU, has raised $118.6 million toward the $150 million goal, Faculty Senate President Paul Stoddard said.

The campaign raised $107 million in May 2007, over the course of seven years, according to a NIU News Release.

Barsema Hall, the Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Academic and Athletic Performance Center and the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center are all buildings which were funded by True North, according to a NIU Press Release.

Additionally, True North raised a total of $17.6 million toward its $31 million endowment goal.

“Endowment dollars generate earning, a portion of which support scholarships, teaching, programming, research, the libraries and athletics.

The endowment principal is invested in perpetuity, sustaining Northern throughout even the most uncertain times,” according to True North.

Also at the meeting, University Council approved academic calenders for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.