The ASUO Student Senate held its first meeting of the school year last night and heard requests from two student groups.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Alliance requested $1,107 from the surplus to fund the “Queer Prom.” Senators voted 11-4 not to fund the event from the surplus, but a vote to transfer the money from the LGBTQA’s annual events account passed.
Kultura Pilipinas requested $3,195 from the surplus to pay for an event at the EMU Ballroom that will host Anna Dominique Coseteng — a Filipino diplomat — who is currently on a book tour. The motion passed 13-2.
ASUO President Rachel Pilliod announced that a press conference of student leaders in collaboration with the University will be held to respond to last weekend’s riot. The conference will be 9 a.m. Friday and open to the public.
The Senate also made appointments for positions in the coming year.
Andrea Hall was confirmed unanimously as the elections coordinator.
Senate nominations also were made for president, vice president, ombudsman and treasurer. Senators nominated Jackie Lynn Ray and Eric Bailey for president; Kate Kranzush for vice president; Andrew Elliott, Tex Arnold and Levi Strong for ombudsman; and Michael Linman for treasurer.
Student senators have not yet set goals for the year, but one senator is already forming ideas.
Senator Eric Bailey, Seat 12, said he hopes the Senate will make use of their power to create resolutions — which he said hold little power in the University but draw attention to issues.
“If we use the power of resolutions, it brings student issues to the forefront,” he said.
Senate Seat 1 and Seat 14 are currently unfilled. Interested candidates can apply at the ASUO office.
— Jan Montry