The Student Association gave support for spending an additional $100,000 if necessary for repairs to the Holmes Student Center tower, although no formal vote was taken on the recommendation.

Sen. Dave Stern recommended the SA favor NIU spending an additional $100,000 or more above the estimated $923,000, if necessary, on repairs to the HSC tower. “Let the SA send a message that we want the proper amount of money spent,” he said. He said he would rather the university spend more money and have the repairs done properly.

Although a formal vote was not taken, Stern asked the senate for their approval through raising their hands. A majority of the senators raised their hands in support of the recommendation.

NIU President John LaTourette said at a Board of Regents meeting Jan. 20 funding to replace the brick might come from a bond entities reserve fund consisting of student fees and operation.

An HSC Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the HSC Room 406, where discussions will be made on the repairs of the HSC tower and a slide show presentation of needed repairs will be given, Stern said.

In other business, two additional off-campus senate seats have opened for Thursday’s SA senate election.

SA Vice President Cam Davis announced in his report the resignation of two off-campus senators. The resignations, which were approved by the senate, increase the total number of open off-campus positions in Thursday’s SA senate election to five. The number of vacant on-campus positions remains at one. A full SA senate consists of 16 on-campus senators and 32 off-campus senators.

Sen. Dave Reidy expressed concern with the tailgating situation and wants the SA to find out what the university is doing about tailgating next fall.

He also expressed concern over the lack of student support of NIU athletics. He said winning programs begin with good fan support. He suggested the SA should attend more NIU ball games both men’s and women’s to give their support.

Reidy said he also has spoken with a number of alumni who have expressed additional concern about tailgating at NIU and the lack of fan support.

In other business Micki Emmett, director of University Programming and Activities informed the SA of the Jan. 29 deadline for organizations to reserve rooms for next year in the Holmes Student Center. Organizations wanting to reserve rooms for meeting space should contact the UP&A office, she said.

Emmett said one of the UP&A purposes is to advise and assist student organizations. A second purpose is “to help students feel more affiliated with the university.”

Emmett also said UP&A helps increase interaction between students and faculty.

A one-day leadership conference for leaders of organizations and groups on campus is scheduled for Feb. 6, Emmett said. She said the conference is geared toward organizational leaders to interact with each other, in addition to learning basic leadership skills.

SA Minority Relations Adviser Larry Robertson also announced the declaration of February as Black History/Black Heritage month.