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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(A)
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our report included in this Form 10-K into the Company's previously filed
Registration Statements on Form S-8 relating to the 1986 Long-Term Incentive
Plan of Norstan, Inc. (Registration Nos. 33-30323 and 33-72928), the 1990
Employee Stock Purchase and Bonus Plan of Norstan, Inc. (Registration Nos.
33-32310, 33-44470 and 33-72926), the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Norstan,
Inc. (Registration No. 33-62957), and the Restated Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Plan of Norstan, Inc. (Registration No. 33-62971).
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota,
July 23, 1997