The public is not invited to the meetings that will determine how much control the Student Association has over student money, NIU officials said.

The Northern Star was shut out of the second meeting between the SA executive board and NIU officials after trying to enter the meeting room in the Holmes Student Center Tuesday.

Barbara Henley, vice president of Student Affairs, said the meetings are private to allow free discussion without the scrutiny of the press.

Henley said the Illinois Open Meetings Act does not apply because the meetings were set up to advise only herself and not a public body, such as the SA senate.

Norden Gilbert, associate legal counsel for NIU, confirmed Henley’s claim and referred to a University of Illinois case where an informal advisory meeting was closed to the public.

Gary Gresholdt, Henley’s assistant, said the meetings will clarify the budget procedures between the SA and administrators, as outlined by the Board of Regents.

SA Senate Speaker Preston Came said the procedures were reviewed and committee members listed questions they had about them.

However, no decisions were made. “We really cannot make any decisions until we clarify (the procedures),” Came said.

The SA questioned the procedures after Henley included $850 in the student budget last year to buy refreshments for art gallery shows. The senate earlier decided not to allow money for refreshments.

In the next meeting on Dec. 20, Gresholdt said members will try to answer the questions. However, he would not be specific about what they are.