National Briefing | Midwest: Illinois: University Drops Plans to Raze Shooting Site

The president of Northern Illinois University has dropped the idea of tearing down the building where five students were killed in February. The president, John G. Peters, originally wanted to demolish Cole Hall and replace it with a new building and a memorial. But he said a survey of the university community showed overwhelming support for keeping the building. In a message posted on the university’s Web site, Dr. Peters said officials were seeking input on three options for renovating the building. It has remained empty since Feb. 14, when a gunman burst into a lecture hall and shot five students before killing himself.