The U.S. Department of Justice awarded NIU a $1.6 million grant to cover the university’s expenses following the Feb. 14 shootings.

According to an NIU press release, approximately $489,000 will go to the immediate expenses. These expenses include candlelight vigils, the numerous counselors that came to campus and the memorial service held 10 days after the tragedy.

The rest of the $1.2 million will go to fund the Office of Support and Advocacy, which was set up by the university to help NIU students, faculty and staff cope with what happened.

Melanie Magara, assistant vice president for student affairs, said the tragedy cost the university a lot of money.

“There was a tremendous cost, a financial cost to the university,” Magara said, listing off the candlelight vigils, the counselors, the memorial service and the clean-up of the shooting’s immediate aftermath as some of the aspects.

Thanks to the grant, the office will be able to operate for about five years, said Director Scott Peska.

The office offers different types of assistance to students, faculty and staff who were directly affected by the Feb. 14 shootings. “Directly affected,” according to Peska, is defined as those who were in or around Cole Hall at the time of the shooting, as well as their family members and loved ones.

The different types of assistance varies as well. In addition to counseling, the office provides academic assistance and accommodations to students who are still struggling.

Brandi Hephner LaBanc, assistant vice president for planning and operations, said that one important aspect the Office of Support and Advocacy provides is giving these students a place to go for help.

“We found that, after reviewing Virginia Tech’s services, centralization of services was a critical aspect,” LaBanc said.

According to the press release, the office is currently planning a permanent memorial. LaBanc said two different committees are working on putting together activities for the one-year anniversary: One is working on a large anniversary event, while the other is planning different activities to be held throughout the day.

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