Parkman said he became involved with the senate because “I felt under the old voting system that on-campus students were not fairly represented, and also that not many people really cared about their student fees.”

“Through cooperation with both senators from my (district) and other districts, I feel that we can get rid of the continual arguments and inefficiency that have plagued the senate for the last couple of years,” Parkman said.

Dave Schaeff, freshman, math education

“I believe that you should not ask what you can do for your school, but what your school can do for you. We pay a lot of money to the SA and I think more should be done to make Northern a better school,” Schaeff said.

Schaeff said he would like to see more people aware of the SA. “Let’s face it, how many people actually knew who their senator was last year? Isn’t a student body senate supposed to represent the student body? How can it do that if nobody knows who their representatives are?”

Tanya Smith, senior, sociology/business administration

Smith served on the senate last year. “I feel that those experiences have prepared me to more effectively serve the senate again this year,” she said.

“This year the senate will be called upon to review various decisions that last year’s senate initiated,” Smith said, “I can provide to this year’s senate insight on those issues and other topics that fell to the table of last year’s senate.”

Brad Strauss, sophomore, political science

“I am a strong believer in the rights of the students to have a voice in the community in which they live. As an SA senator last year, I do not believe that the student voice was heard loud enough. The senate spent too much time fighting among themselves and following personal agendas,” Strauss said.

Establishing a required cultural pluralism class, organizing effective student demonstrations and concentrating on voter registration all are concerns of Strauss.

District 5

Tracy Deis, junior, English

Deis said she is interested in increasing the number of black students participating in the SA.

Deis said she would like to serve on the Minority Relations Committee to examine the status of minority organizations and handicapped students.

Terry Dillard, junior, political science

“A big area I would help the SA senate in is understanding minorities. As a black male, I realize that we, as a specific group, are most likely to encounter trouble or be misunderstood,” Dillard said.

“I feel that I can listen to a person, whatever their race or sex is, and understand their side, even if I don’t agree with it. In the long run, if I can convey this idea to the other senate members, NIU will have a much better legislative body because of it,” Dillard said.

Kate Donovan, freshman, pre-business

“Working with the senate, I hope to develop a stronger relationship between the university and the students,” Donovan said.

Donovan said her abilities will assist the SA by “promoting a good working relationship, fresh insight and good listening ability.”

Jason Gough, freshman, pre-business

As a first-year student, Gough said he will be an asset to the SA in the future and help give other freshmen a voice in the senate.

“I will try to work with the legislature to avoid possible tuition hikes. I hope to improve the campus environment and general welfare of student life and achieve more school spirit,” Gough said.

Robert McCormack, sophomore, history

“I’ve always enjoyed getting involved in student government because it is an ideal way to learn what is happening on campus as well as an opportunity to serve others,” McCormack said.

“As senators, we must once again realize that our number one duty is not to serve our own reputations, but to serve our fellow students,” he said.

McCormack is interested in the SA Minority Affairs Committee and the Internal Affairs Committee. He also is investigating a student text book exchange.

District 5 candidate Stacey Ann Hartzer did not participate in the preview.

Write-in candidate

Zivka Petrevska, freshman, communications

“As former President of the Chicago District Student Council Association and current floor vice president of Gilbert Hall, I believe that I possess a well-rounded background to contribute my ideas and share them with the SA and the students at Northern,” Petrevska said.

Petrevska is concerned about awareness on campus of student organizations and issues and distribution of student fees.