Funding for a long-standing Greek fraternity tug-of-war contest was approved by the Student Association Senate Sunday.

The SA Senate allowed the Interfraternity Council to receive $5,000 in supplemental funding for Tugs, an annual fraternity competition. The money will go toward purchasing bleachers, said Interfraternity Council President Anthony Buda. Supplemental funding now stands at $12,150 for all future student organizations. Out of 15 Greek fraternities, 13 will participate in the contest, Buda said. The contest is open to the entire campus.

SA Senate Speaker Austin Quick said he was working with Brian Hemphill, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, to have NIU police provide free security for students holding off-campus parties.

“One of the things we have problems with is people coming to parties who are not welcome, who are not part of this community, and that’s typically when we see violence erupt,” Quick said.

Quick said the Convocation Center is on notice for charging the SA to rent the facility when they already paid to use it with student fees. Quick also said he worked with SA President Elliot Echols and Campus Recreation Director Sandi Carlisle to stop student organizations from being charged for using the Campus Recreation Center.

Former NIU football quarterback Chandler Harnish appeared at the Senate to thank the SA for giving $25,000 to the athletic program to allow students to visit the bowl game. Harnish said he has been at NIU for five years and noticed facilities and student interactions improve year after year.

“Everything you guys get passed and every dollar that you make allows one more student an opportunity to come get an education,” Harnish said.

The Senate passed a bill allowing Greek governing councils to be eligible for SA funding while holding restrictive membership and requiring dues. The Senate also passed a bill allowing the recreation center to manage funds for sports clubs who receive SA recognition.

Three senators were absent from the meeting.