The DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s office issued a news release late Monday afternoon stating that the office is closely monitoring the investigation of alleged misconduct at Northern Illinois University. “The integrity and transparency of this public institution of higher learning must be maintained,” the State’s Attorney’s statement said. “To that end, the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office will seek the assistance of any agency, state or federal, to ensure that the investigation into these allegations is fair and complete.”
The university did not receive a copy of the State’s Attorney’s statement and was not aware of it until contacted by Daily Chronicle after 5:30 p.m. Monday. The university provided the Daily Chronicle with the following statement shortly after 8:00 p.m. Monday:
We welcome the continued involvement of DeKalb County States’ Attorney Clay Campbell in the ongoing investigation of the allegations regarding the existence of an NIU coffee fund account. Mr. Campbell’s office has been kept appraised of the investigation by NIU law enforcement, as his (Mr. Campbell’s) cooperation and assistance has been essential to proceed with the investigation. After all, the investigation itself was initiated by the university within less than two hours of receiving the allegations.
The integrity of this great university is not at issue. For over 110 years, thousands upon thousands of students’ lives have been transformed as a result of the educational opportunities they received at NIU. NIU will not cease investigating this allegation or any further allegations that may arise until a thorough and complete investigation is performed, no matter where it leads.
Right now, an investigation is underway by law enforcement into allegations of the existence of a coffee fund — these allegations are unproven and unsubstantiated until law enforcement concludes its investigation.
This university was built on values including integrity, fairness, due process and equality of opportunity. We remain patient and will continue to resist a “rush to judgment” until the investigation is complete.
The university’s statement was not included in today’s online or print editions.
