The Undergraduate Student Government senate voted in support of establishing a task force to examine SIUC’s involvement with a national student lobbying group Wednesday.

The SIUC student body voted in April to become a referendum school in the United States Student Association, which meant giving USSA $18,000 or $19,000 dollars of student funds annually, according to USG President Duane Sherman. Since then, some USG members have raised concerns about entering the contract USSA has presented.

Seven senators were nominated to the task force, who will be given one month to negotiate the most effective agreement between USG and USSA for the money it will cost.

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USG Senator Donald Rehmer, a member of the new task force, said he voted in support of USSA in April. Rehmer said he witnessed things that concerned him at a USSA conference held in Michigan over the summer.

There were a lot of things I saw at the conference that need exploration, he said. I’d rather let the task force go through all the information and make recommendations.

Sherman said the task force is necessary to ensure the investment in USSA will benefit SIUC students.

It’s a good chunk of money and I would hate to rush into it (the contract), Sherman said.

The task force will address concerns surrounding USSA’s 1994 financial statement and questions about the contract.

One concern is, why this 48-year-old organization (USSA) that only operates on $350,000 was $13,000 in debt last year, Sherman said.

Sherman said part of the contract states that a USSA representative will work with USG, but the contract does not provide a specific job description for the representative.

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In opposition, Senator Jemal Powell said the task force is a waste of time and contradicts the wishes of the students who voted in favor of USSA.

The students already want the agreement, he said. It’s slapping our constituents in the face.

Dan Piper, a USG Commissioner, agreed with Powell. The senate passed it by referendum, which is the total student body voice, he said. It (the task force) is unnecessary and unwarranted.

Piper said he is in strong support of USSA because they are dedicated to education and financial aid.

USSA has a long-track record of effectiveness in support of financial aid in Washington, he said.

Rehmer said he is not trying to question the way students voted or reverse their decision. He wants the democratic process to decide whether the contract with USSA is the best way to spend the student’s money, he said.

I’m not trying to kill this thing, Rehmer said. If it’s good, it will stand, and it will be beneficial for USG and for SIU students.