NIU students will know what the Student Association is doing, said the group’s public relations adviser.

The SA’s promise of change this year will be linked to the public through Public Relations Adviser Lara Cipolla, who wants to get the word out and tell students the good things the SA is doing.

“I feel that the PR adviser has always had his or her head buried underneath the paperwork from advertising and I don’t think that public relations has always been a true thought in this office,” Cipolla said.

Cipolla wants to concentrate on media relations and plans to send out several press releases this year, she said.

She also wants to work towards building a team atmosphere within the SA and have strong intercommunications.

Cipolla wants to work with Community Affairs Adviser Jennifer Novak to try to get programs that DeKalb and NIU can tie in together.

Cipolla plans to remain involved with the projects of the other SA advisers, she said. “If public relations is done well, it touches every office,” she said.

Cipolla has compiled information into one booklet called “The Great Communicator.”

“I want the PR office to be an adviser to all of the organizations,” she said. “If they have questions about publicity I’d like to help them.”

Cipolla also plans to hold a logo-design contest because she would like to see the SA logo changed because she said it’s outdated and most people don’t know what it represents.

Getting a new look would tie in with the “Genesis” theme and the SA’s idea of getting a new beginning, she said.

Cipolla also is concentrating her efforts on setting up a scholarship in memory of Jen Onan, an NIU student, SA senator and photojournalism major who died during the summer. “The SA is dedicating its efforts to Jen Onan this year,” she said.

Cipolla said several groups have shown an interest in the sholarship and any others interested should contact her. The scholarship possibly would be awarded to journalism students involved in several activities.

Cipolla also wants to have a publicity workshop in conjunction with the budget workshop as a guide to talk about publicity. “I would also like to get involved with some other organizations and co-sponsor some events,” she said.

Recruitment and getting people involved in the SA is also a big part of Cipolla’s job.