Safety during Homecoming Week was on the agenda at University Council Wednesday.

NIU president John Peters wished everyone a safe and fun Homecoming.

“This is a great time when our alumni come back and we have celebration,” Peters said. “I always urge that everyone be prudent in their reveling and take care of each other across the country at college campuses this time of year when everyone has Homecoming.”

Peters briefly discussed incidents that often occur during celebratory times on campus.

“We always read in the paper about incidents that happen. Unfortunately, most of those incidents are related to the misuse of alcohol,” Peters said. “When you read the police blotter or hear about incidents on this campus, the probabilities are great that alcohol has been a contributing factor.”

Being responsible is important during this time, Peters said.

“Alcohol impairs judgement. That doesn’t mean people shouldn’t have a good time as long as they are doing it in a legal way,” he said.

The ongoing debate over a capital bill from state legislature was also discussed at the meeting.

“We made the case and it’s undeniable that the state needs a major capital bill,” Peters said.

A veto session that could produce a capital bill started Wednesday, Peters said. Also, political insiders say another special session could occur in November that might also shine light on a capital bill, Peters said.

Peters discussed other methods of fundraising the university has turned to.

“We will continue to fight hard for our share of state resources,” Peters said. “I don’t think that will be enough. So we have to look at other ways to move forward.”

Bills that could provide NIU with funding were also discussed at the meeting. The bills are currently in debate in state Senate and have already been passed by the state house, said Bobbie Cesarek, associate athletics director of compliance.

An additional $5 million from the Department of Defense budget directed to the Proton Therapy project could result from one of the bills, Cesarek said. NIU already received $3.3 million for the project, according to literature from the meeting.

The Department of Energy could contribute $1 million to expand NIU’s involvement with the Rockford Airport Authority and Rockford commerce in a study to find more efficient, alternative fuel for airplanes, Cesarek said. He also said a $300,000 continuation of funding for vibration and acoustic research at the College of Engineering could result from the bills.