In the first Student Senate meeting of the school year, new Senators gave nearly $12,500 in student incidental fees to pay a general manager’s stipend, create three new student government positions and send Latino law students to Washington, D.C.
In the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, Senators also nominated officer positions and approved ASUO committee appointees.
More than $5,000 went to 24-hour campus radio station KWVA, $3,370 went to the ASUO Executive and $3,100 went to the Latino/a Law Student Association LALSA.
KWVA said the funds will be used to pay the general manager’s stipend, replacing funds lost last year.
The Executive will use the $3,375 to create new environmental coordinator, greek community liaison and nontraditional student advocate positions.
LALSA was given $3,100 to send four representatives to a Washington, D.C., diversity conference as University representatives. Representatives hope to meet and attract Latino students and speakers to campus.
Senators nominated their colleagues, and one nominated herself, to the Senate president, vice president, treasurer and ombudsman positions.
The presidential seat nomination went uncontested to EMU Board Senator Stephanie Erickson. Jared Axelrod nominated Senator Sara Hamilton for vice president. Senator Amy Dufour nominated herself for the position.
Senator Khanh Le nominated Axelrod for ombudsman and Erickson nominated Senator Monica Irvin for treasurer.
The Executive appointed students to a committee that negotiates for athletic tickets, a committee that sets budgets for student groups, and one that oversees the EMU. Also, the Executive on Wednesday night appointed one student to the Constitution Court.
Five of the Executive’s six appointees gave speeches and answered questions regarding ethics, policy decisions and previous experience.
Senators approved all but one appointee unanimously.
Rachel Lee, a representative of the academic undeclared majors, said after the meeting she voted against EMU Board appointee Miles Rost because he was “a little too overwhelming” and might not have worked well with others.
“It was just a very general sense, and I was following instinct,” Lee said.
Senator Rob Craig, who was absent, sent ASUO President Adam Walsh a letter just hours before the 7:15 p.m. meeting, resigning because of a time conflict with Senate meetings.
“Assuming the meetings are indeed on Wednesday night, please consider this my resignation as Graduate/Law Senator for seat 17,” he wrote.
The Executive will have 30 days to appoint a new Senator.
The Senate is not allowed to hold meetings in the EMU Board Room because the elevator on that floor is under construction and there is no wheelchair access.
ASUO Finance Coordinator Nick Hudson said the student government office did not have enough time to reschedule the meeting location.
“Construction was supposed to end Monday,” Hudson said.
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