NIU is spending about one million dollars to beef up security this year and make sure its student dorms are safe. The university has hired a private security firm to help staff the school's residence halls. Previously, student employees with the campus police worked as security staff. Now, private unarmed officers will be patrolling instead.

NIU's President says they were pleased with how the firm assisted them in the wake of February's school shooting that left six people dead and know their security services will be an asset on campus.