NIU will no longer sell memorial T-shirts, or any other items referencing the Feb. 14 shooting.

This new policy, according to Michael Malone, vice president of University Advancement and Development, was in response to the number of fundraising and manufacturing requests the university has received.

“We could not vouch for those individuals and organizations who want to use our logo for ‘fundraising efforts,’” Malone said.

However, Malone said that there are a number of well-meaning people who just want to show their support.

“What we’re really trying to do is get a handle on the merchandise relating to the Feb. 14 tragedy,” Malone said.

The moratorium, according to an official statement, includes its name, logo or trademarks for “any fundraising on its behalf.” It also extends to items sold at the University Bookstore and the Village Commons Bookstore.

Malone said some vendors were able to secure rights to the NIU name and logo in regard to the shooting before the policy was enacted. Malone said these deals will still be honored, but the university will not renew any deals after the initial stock is sold out.

According to the official statement, the only thing NIU has authorized in connection with the shooting is the Feb. 14 Student Scholarship Fund. According to the official statement, donations from outside groups are still being accepted; however, “neither NIU nor the NIU Foundation will enter into any partnerships or co-sponsorships with these independent fundraising efforts.”

“We will not allow external groups to use the university name or logo or otherwise give the impression that the university is endorsing them,” the official statement reads.

Malone said the decision to place a moratorium on these items was largely influenced by their colleagues at Virginia Tech. Within 48 hours of the Virginia Tech shootings, Malone said numerous items relating to the Virginia Tech shootings were available.

“Some were offended by the shirts, caps, etc.,” Malone said in regards to some of Virginia Tech memorial merchandise. “We don’t want to be in that position.”
Sensitivity to the issue is also being listed as a reason for the refusal to sell memorial items.

“We don’t want to do anything to be seen as upsetting those involved,” Malone said. “No one wants to be seen as capitalizing on this tragedy.”

Malone also added that such items can serve as constant reminders to the families and friends of the victims. The refusal to sell memorial items extends to the popular memorial T-shirts created by Eric Albrecht, senior political science major; Justin Oltz, freshman pre-computer science major; and Sarah Roman, senior political science major. The students were going to sell memorial T-shirts through the University Bookstore.

“We’ll try to work through whatever problems there are,” Albrecht said.

According to Albrecht, approximately 2,600 T-shirts were sold in the first 30 hours on their Web site. Despite the moratorium, Albrecht said he’ll still get those shirts to people who pre-ordered.

When told officials from Virginia Tech had advised NIU in their policy decision, Albrecht said he had heard that Virginia Tech sold 155,000 T-shirts relating to the tragedy.

“There’s clearly a way we can all work to make it happen. We just want to help,” Albrecht said. With regard to students, Malone said, “This isn’t really a student problem. The main danger is from external profiteers.”

Malone said that the university will look for a proper way to honor those who were affected by the tragedy.

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