For the last ASUO Student Senate meeting of the term, some of the senators decided to vote in different languages — in French, Spanish, German and Hebrew, they confirmed senior linguistics major Randy Newnham to the ASUO Elections Board.
A position had been open on the board since last week, when former Elections Board office manager Matt Swanson resigned. But Newnham, who is a member of the Programs Finance Committee and a co-coordinator in the Survival Center, will now fill the empty spot.
“He’s a very hard worker, and he’s very dedicated,” Senator Mary Elizabeth Madden said. “He’s been bitten by that student government bug.”
The confirmation passed despite reservations from three senators, who felt uncomfortable adding another person to the Elections Board without that person present.
Earlier this term, the senate confirmed someone to the board even though she was not at the meeting. She resigned soon after.
“I don’t think it’s good precedence to appoint someone who is not present,” Senator Jennifer Greenough said. “I think particularly after being burnt the first time we did, that [this] is probably a sign.”
But eleven other senators were not deterred.
“It’s Randy, and we all know him,” Senator Andy Elliott said. “And it’s the Elections Board and we all know how badly it needs to be filled.”
At the end of the term, two members of the board will graduate. With the elections process still up in the air, Breslow stressed Newnham’s appointment as vital.
“It’s the decimation of the Elections Board,” he said. “We’ll take them as long as they’re breathing.”