Student Government is planning a candle light vigil for Northern Illinois University.

The vigil will be held on Sunday in the south quad at 7 p.m. to remember the five lives lost in the Feb. 14 shooting at NIU.

“I know it’s cold out and students have homework to do, but this is a tragedy that hit so close to home and I think students should be able to take 30 minutes out of their day to remember those who lost their lives,” said Megan Ogulnick, Student Senate speaker.

Student Government will distribute black and red ribbons this week.

The ribbons and literature from the counseling department will be distributed from a table set up outside the food court in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, Ogulnick said.

Fliers for the event will be posted in all residence halls and academic buildings, Ogulnick said. Similar fliers were distributed in the same locations last year to honor the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting.

“It’s sad that I looked back at last year’s flier to see what I did then,” Ogulnick said. “It’s unfortunate, but still important even if you don’t know anyone involved.”

She said about 100 students attended that vigil.

Rich Higginbotham, student vice president for student affairs, said that he believes students will attend this year’s vigil.

“I believe students will show up,” Higginbotham said. “You have to look at it in another way, 100 students is more than zero.”

The list of e-mail addresses from registered student organizations will be used to inform students of the vigil.

Election informational meeting

An informational meeting will be conducted on March 3 at 6 pm in the Arcola/Tuscola room.

The meeting will be the first of its type and will encourage students to participate in the elections as candidates, supporters or voters.

“With declining numbers, we’re trying something different because students just aren’t interested in voting and we need to find out why,” Ogulnick said.

Voter turnout is down from 399 in 2006 to 387 during this December’s election.

She said most members of Student Government were introduced by friends, roommates or classmates. She also said the meeting can help interested students who do not have connections to current members.

Students will be told how to run for election, what each job commitment entails, how to join or create a party and how the election operates.

Student Organization Council

Representatives from registered student organizations will have their chance to address their concerns to Dan Nadler, vice president for Student Affairs.

Nadler will address campus issues and take questions during Thursday’s Student Organization Council meeting at 5 p.m. in the 7th Street Underground.

“A lot of organizations have problems on campus in different aspects of the university,” Higginbotham said. “About 20 to 25 organizations showed up to the SOC meeting last semester and I was the only speaker.”

Of those who attended, Higginbotham said there were few Greek organizations.

“I want as many organizations as possible to attend, but I don’t expect all 180 to show up,” Higginbotham said. “I would be happy if 20 or 30 attended because it means those 20 or 30 really want their questions answered and changes made.”

While the concerns vary and Higginbotham did not provide specific concerns, he said participation is vital to initiating change.

“It all depends on what the RSOs ask for,” Higginbotham said. “The more RSOs asking for the change, the more realistic it will be.”

Rick Kambic can be reached at 581-7942 or at rwkambic@eiu.edu.