The effectiveness of the Student Association and student involvement in politics were discussed Monday by nine candidates running for SA executive positions.

The candidates for each position answered questions by a three-person panel—Black Student Union President Pam Bozeman, Northern Star Editor Dave Duschene and SA Supreme Court Judge Jim Schneider.

SA presidential candidates are SA Public Relations Adviser Paula Radtke, SA Sen. Joe Annunzio, Dale Bradley and Dan Donnelly. Duschene asked how the president would improve the SA. Donnelly said he represents mainstream students and would address issues at the beginning of the year instead of waiting.

Bradley said he is unbiased and will be able to settle disputes quickly. Annunzio said he would work to change “cliques” in the SA and promote interaction. Radtke said she would form a staff of well-known campus leaders to represent all students.

Schneider asked how the candidates would promote political action. All the candidates said they encouraged voter registration. Bradley said he favored a raffle to raise tuition money instead of lobbying legislators in Springfield.

Bozeman asked how the SA president would combat racism. Bradley said his raffle would promote unity because “all the students would work together to better the university.” Radtke said she favored more direct action instead of programs. Annunzio said he would have an open door for students with racism problems and would interact with all organizations.

The candidates for SA vice president are SA Sen. Gregg Bliss and Ed Gil. Bozeman asked how they would promote minority participation. Gil said something needs to be done to retain campus groups which support minorities. Bliss said he would work to show minorities the services and resources available and help them utilize advantages of being SA-recognized.

Duschene asked the candidates how they would help senators take their responsibility seriously. Bliss said he would stress “that being an SA senator is a full-time job. Some senators don’t research issues enough or get enough background.”

Gil said he would take an active stand. “I would get the people out who aren’t working. We need people who are concened with NIU’s image and good publicity.”

Schneider questioned the effectiveness of the SA’s response to sexual assaults and racial material. Gil said the SA Welfare Committee needs new people. He said he supports the discrimination hotline and encourages women to report sexual harassment.

Bliss said there is a lack of racial education on campus. “The SA oversees the planning of some special-interest groups—I would work to have these groups work together.”

The candidates for treasurer are Roger Beith and SA Sen. Diana Turowski. Schneider asked the candidates how they would work with a budget deficit. Beith said he would favor raising student fees. “Student fees could be raised but we first should force all organizations to raise their own money.”

Turowski said raising fees is not a popular choice. “Organizations should generate more of their own revenue, and there should be tighter budgeting (by the finance committee and the senate).”

Duschene asked how the candidates would improve the budgeting process and check on the use of funds. Turowski said finance subcommittees should be more involved with groups throughout the year in an adviser role. Beith said one person from the finance committee should work with each organization. He said the treasurer should go through last year’s reports to watch how organizations spend funds.

Bozeman questioned how the treasurer should help organizations asking for funds. Beith said the finance committee should be “a good cross-section of students—no large amount of representation from any one group.”

Turowski said she would work with the organization seeking funds, not against it. “We shouldn’t just cut items without knowing how the organization works.”