DeKALB | After fighting in the lobby at Grant South a week and a half ago, the two students involved struggle to remain at NIU for the remainder of the semester.

Freshman communications major Kendra Graham and Dontesia Stovall, freshman biological science major, are now up for evaluation by Student Affairs following their physical confrontation.
Vice President of Student Affairs Brian Hemphill said he is disappointed to witness such behavior at NIU.

“I assure you that we do not condone this type of conduct and will not tolerate it within the university community,” Hemphill said. “I do not believe that these issues are reflective of the entire Grant community, and we are committed to identifying the source of these problems.”

After a YouTube video of the altercation virally spread across campus, both Graham and Stovall said they were eager to “get their stories straight.”

Graham said the fight was fueled by a dispute over a community adviser in Grant.
“The fight began last semester and carried on through Facebook before Donnie [Stovall] attended school here this semester,” Graham said. “I was walking through the lobby, and we were exchanging words. She said she wanted to fight me so I just left and went to Stevenson. When I came back she was still waiting for me. She threw the first punch, and I defended myself.”

Stovall, however, said she was hanging out with her friends in the lobby when Graham happened to come back.

“I was sitting there and then she [Graham] came back with an entourage and started coming after me,” Stovall said. “I just hit her before she could hit me. I feel like I was provoked. These girls mess with a lot of people.”

Stovall said she and Graham have run into each other in the elevator in Grant South on numerous occasions since the fight, and there have not been any issues.

Both Graham and Stovall have written letters to Hemphill to appeal their suspension that would keep them from attending the university and from living in all residence halls until next fall.

Graham is working with the Black Student Union for her appeal process.
“I am embarrassed, and I do not want to be kicked out of school for something like this,” Graham said.

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