Those who enjoyed the Taste of Chicago can look forward to an international Taste of NIU this spring if the Student Association minority affairs adviser has her way.

Adviser Belida Tijerina, a Mexican-American, said she wants to organize an event where NIU minority groups and DeKalb restaurants could offer ethnic foods at the West Lagoon.

She said the biggest obstacle for the event would be getting organizations to participate, although it would be a good chance to raise money.

“Northern has never had something like this,” she said. “If they can see it will be a university-wide thing, they will probably want to participate.”

Here are some other ideas on Tijerina’s agenda:

Unity and Diversity Week will be from Sept. 24 to Sept. 30. One day of the week, Sept. 28, will be devoted to American Indians. Tijerina said she will also support a start for an American-Indian organization this year.

She said an effort was made to form an organization last year, but there was not enough interest.

Tijerina wants to push for a minority internship bank where minorities can find information about companies wanting to hire minority interns.

“I think when you are a minority, sometimes you feel kind of wandering. The internship bank can give them a place to start,” she said.

She wants to continue the effort to get NIU to require a cultural pluralism class. The class would involve educating the students about different cultures to create more understanding and tolerance.

Tijerina said she thinks her most most important job, in addition to chairing the minority affairs committee, is to act as the connection between campus minority groups and the SA.

“I want to be visible to the organizations,” she said.

However, she said the best way for the organizations to influence the SA would be through joining her committee or being elected to the senate.

She said she feels confident the SA will be effective this year after a turbulant last year.

“Almost everybody is new this year. There are a lot of dedicated people who are highly self-motivated.”

Overall, Tijerina said the most important thing for minority organizations is organization. She said she is impressed by the unity and organization of the black campus community, which can serve as a model.

“They (minority organizations) have to constantly reevaluate their goals so there will be an ongoing and continuing advancement,” she said.