Despite gloomy weather, prospective NIU students came out for the first NIU open house since the Feb. 14 shootings.

“The tour was good,” said Austin Schuetz, a prospective student touring NIU with his father. Schuetz said the shootings did not deter him from coming to NIU or change the way he felt about the university.

Schuetz and other prospective students and guests were guided on tours of the Grant Towers South residence hall after a campus bus tour.

On tours, campus security measures were pointed out, such as the emergency call boxes located campus-wide and the University Police’s 46 officers.

On the bus tour of campus, prospective students were told about the “cheapest date on campus” – the observatory in Davis Hall. They were also quizzed on the bus tour about what three things DeKalb is known for. The tour guide told prospective students and guests that DeKalb is known for Cindy Crawford, corn and barbed wire.

“I enjoy doing service and helping the university out in any way possible,” said Tom Heneghan, senior political science major and one of the student volunteers for the event. “I want to help out the university for all the things they’ve done for me over the years.”

Tables for university organizations and programs were set up in the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom and Regency Room. Organizations such as the various university colleges, Financial Aid and Counseling and Student Development distributed information and promotional items to students touring the campus. Housing and Dining had a five-table display promoting various residential programs.

“We help students explore different majors and careers, as well as help students transition from high school to college,” said Allison Githens, First Year Residential Experience program graduate assistant.

The university is still accepting applications for the Fall 2008 semester and will begin accepting applications Sept. 1 for students interested in applying for the Fall 2009.