Student Association senators questioned the director of an Illinois student lobby group Sunday to determine if the $22,000 of NIU student money going to the group is worthwhile.

Senators asked David Starrett, executive director of the Illinois Student Association, about the effectiveness of the ISA and how the $1 per student fee was being spent.

Students will vote in a referendum sometime this school year on whether to continue membership in the organization.

Startett defended the ISA by saying that the organization was a major factor in last year’s decision for a tuition freeze. He said the return for each student’s dollar was more than 300 percent in tuition savings.

e added the ISA is the only organization which lobbies for student interests in the Illinois General Assembly. “There is no one else working on tuition,” he said.

Student Regent James Mertes asked Starrett during the meeting how certain he was about future tuition increases and if the ISA would take credit for increases.

Starrett did not offer a direct answer, but said there was a slim chance of the 10 percent tuition increase proposed by the Board of Regents.

Starrett also said the ISA, after initially deciding not to take a position, supported a separate governing board for NIU. NIU currently is governed by the same board as Sangamon State University in Springfield and Illinois State University in Normal.

Starrett was invited by SA Vice President Tanya Smith in an effort to inform senators about the organization.

In other SA business, senators unanimously (28-0) approved Wally Wyszynski as a Supreme Court justice after opposing his nomination two weeks ago.

Sen. Paul Fabrizius, who initially voted against Wyszynski, said he was impressed that Wyszynski showed up for the last three senate meetings to answer questions. “He’s showing that he really wants the job,” Fabrizius said.

Senators also entangled over $207 from SA funds for transportation to a leadership conference that several senators were to attend. Despite two recall votes, however, the senate did not approve the funding.

“I think it is time to start acting fiscally responsible for ourselves as well as everybody else,” said Sen. Henry Treftz, who voted against the funding.

However, SA Treasurer Michael Holy warned the senators to be more consistent with funding approvals. Holy said similar funding has been approved in the past.