The art refreshment money that led to a power struggle between the Student Association and the NIU administration will be considered by the SA Senate Sunday.

The $850 for cookies, tea, lemonade, vegetables and dip at art shows was rejected by last year’s senate because the bill for the Holmes Student Center food was considered too expensive.

But Barbara Henley, vice president of Student Affairs, decided to overrule the senate and allow the refreshment money.

Henley’s move upset senate advisers who said Henley had no right to control student money. SA advisers and the administration are still having meetings to resolve the problem.

Eric See, Campus Activity Board gallery director, said he will be at the senate meeting to justify the refreshments.

“Basically, my position is that there is no art opening without food. Otherwise, it is just like any other day with art in the gallery,” See said.

“I don’t want to accuse anyone of ignorance, but I don’t think senators understand what an art show is. It is an extremely special time in the artist’s life,” he said.

SA Treasurer Mike Holy said he will go along with See in trying to convince the senate that the refreshments are justified.

“This is a unique type of service that is only done in university art shows,” Holy said. “(But) we will just let the senate decide.”

The senate decided last year that the Holmes Student Center charged “outrageous” prices for refreshments, said Sen. Sadia Ahmed.

Ahmed, who voted against the refreshments last year, pointed out there is more to the issue than refreshments.

“We hoped this would send a message to the student center” that prices were too high, she said.

But See said he did not want the artists caught in the middle: “I don’t feel they should punish my committee and the students for the student center’s high prices.”