The College of Law is looking to update the Riley Courtroom in Swen Parson Hall, but it is far from its donation goal of $210,000.

Renovations for the courtroom have not yet begun and no date has been assigned for starting construction.

“We would hope to see it started within six to 12 months, but we just don’t know right now,” said LeRoy Pernell, professor and dean of the College of Law.

Without a deadline to raise funds strictly by donations, the college appears unprepared to accept that they may have to ask for money from the school.

“We don’t have a deadline to raise a certain amount of donations to fund the project,” said Greg Anderson, director of career opportunities and development at the College of Law.

If the college can raise at least $100,000 in donations, students would only have to pay about $4 each to cover the difference, though only 1.3 percent of NIU students use the law building.

Some law students seem optimistic about the money being raised.

Law student Kelly Peterson said she was excited about the renovations and hopeful about donations. She expects to use the room before she graduates.

“It’s used as a classroom and a courtroom so I can’t see how I wouldn’t [use it],” Peterson said. “It will be great to have it all up to date.”

The courtroom/classroom is not falling apart, but is in need of a few technology upgrades and seat expansion.

“The major focus is to upgrade the seating capacity, both for comfort and technology access,” Pernell said.

These changes may seem small, but with only $57,500 raised out of the $210,000 needed for renovations, a start date may be far away.