For incoming freshmen or any other students who want to be involved in an organization with many responsibilities, NIU offers the Student Association Senate.

Jim Fischer, 1987-88 SA president-elect, said, “The SA is the student government responsible for allocating about $650,000 in student activity fees.” The funds go toward “student organizations, ensuring the smooth operation of the Huskie Bus Line and advocating and implementing programs and policies which make the campus a better environment for students,” Fischer said.

One way the SA is trying to improve students’ lives is by attempting to publicize student-teacher evaluations, Fischer said. At the end of each semester, students evaluate their instructors’ effectiveness. The purpose for publicizing these evaluations is so students can look at the different teaching methods and decide which method best fits them, he said.

Another way the SA is trying to improve student life is by monitoring student fee levels so they are kept to a minimum, Fischer said.

SA Vice President-elect Cam Davis said, “The SA considers itself an umbrella organization that has close ties with all other campus organizations. The SA is truly the only organization that has that.

“Campus organizations affect certain groups of people, but the SA encompasses all organizations and activities,” Davis said.

“The SA is a good avenue for students interested in working on committees that deal with the university, fee allocations and academic issues,” he said.

Todd Lipscomb, treasurer-elect, said NIU has a strong student government compared to other universities across the country. NIU’s SA is responsible for more money than the University of Illinois, he said.

The SA is comprised of many different committees in which students can get involved, such as minority relations, public relations, recreation and research and welfare, Lipscomb said.

Students also can join the Finance Committee, which is responsible for reviewing budgets for all SA-recognized organizations requesting funds, Lipscomb said.

“It (the Finance Committee) takes a lot of time, but it is great experience,” he said.

Besides joining committees, students can participate in SA decision-making by becoming a senator. Interested applicants must pick up a petition at the SA office at the beginning of each semester, Lipscomb said. He said the SA will advertise the available dates to pick up petitions.

Candidates must receive 100 student signatures from their district, either on or off campus, Lipscomb said. All the residence halls are considered on campus, and all other living areas are off campus, he said.

If candidates return their full petitions to the SA office by the deadline, their name will appear on the ballot. If not, students still are able to run as write-in candidates, Lipscomb said.

Lipscomb said students running for senator should advertise themselves so other students know who they are. On election day, candidates should get as many students to vote as possible to ensure a victory, he said.

“The best way to get involved and to make the campus a better place is to become a senator or sit on a committee,” Fischer said.

Davis said, “This year, more freshmen and sophomores were involved with the SA than ever before. The SA is an avenue of growth and development for this campus.”