The debate during the Student Association Internal Afairs Committee meeting Wednesday night typified the controversy concerning the Student Committee on Political Action.

Gregg Bliss, SA vice president and IAC chairman, cast the tie-breaking vote concerning a recommended name change for SCOPA.

After a long debate at the meeting, the committee recommended the SCOPA name be changed to “The Student Political Education and Action Committee (SPEAC).” The recommended name change would help the committee “start out with fresh credibility,” Bliss said.

The debate led to such a stalemate on every point brought up that the IAC was forced to take additional votes concerning whether the name changes discussed would be presented to the SA senate in the form of a recommendation or as information during the vice president’s report. Committee members also were asked to decide if the recommendation would be brought to the senate during this Sunday’s meeting or the Nov. 13 meeting, whether the IAC would recommend one or more possible name changes, and whether the “A” in SPEAC would stand for action or awareness.

The committee votes ended in a tie over the meaning of the letter “A” in the name. Four of the committee members wanted “Action” and four wanted “Awareness,” forcing Bliss to vote.

The committee agreed the new name for the standing committee should represent the “perceptions, values and ideals” held by the students at NIU.

Sen. Michelle Martino debated to use the word “awareness” because students related action with protest and awareness with education. But Sen. John Martin said “to do the education, you have to have some sort of action.”

Sen. Gary Stittgen said he was worried the name of the committee would set the direction of what the committee does. “‘Action’ means reactionary,” he said.

“We’re only talking about a name, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal,” he said.

The senate can decide to accept, reject or send the name change recommendation back to the IAC at the senate meeting Sunday.

Sen. Brian Holt said the name for the committee is important because SCOPA had an image that did not represent what the committee stood for.

Stittgen said the committee name change “is the only change left” in bringing respectability and accountability to the SA.