Vice president of Student Affairs Brian Hemphill emphasized Sunday night that a bond needs to develop between the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Association.

Speaking to the SA Senators at their weekly meeting, Hemphill said the bond needs to form to encourage students to get involved at NIU and have their voices heard about concerns around campus.

Senators were encouraged to reach out to the students they represent to ensure all students are being heard.

“To be successful on this campus, we will have to work hand-in-hand,” Hemphill said.

The Student Association was developed to improve student involvement and student life on campus. Hemphill stressed to the newly-elected senators to connect with the students who elected them so they can accurately represent their voices.

“If you don’t connect with students, you can’t directly serve them,” Hemphill said.

The two organizations will spend much time making sure students are aware that the SA and Division of Student Affairs exist and are there to represent them as students.

“You need to communicate and market the Student Association,” Hemphill said. “If [the students] don’t know you, they can’t get their voices heard.”

Hemphill then gave suggestions to the Senators on ways to reach out to NIU students through luncheons and forums.

“If we can address [an issue] and solve it, we will do it together,” Hemphill said.

The Student Association was appreciative of Hemphill’s involvement in student affairs and said it was encouraging administrators to get involved in the interests of the student body.

“It’s my job to see to it that student views are accurately portrayed through university officials,” said Lee Blank, an SA senator and a senior political science major.

Other topics of discussion at the meeting included examining the future of Student Association Senate elections looking at concerns regarding Huskie Bus safety and researching the safety of the intersection of Annie Glidden Road and Lucinda Avenue..

The SA Senate will meet at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center.