Revamped Student Senate gets to work

Three weeks ago, the Student Government Association’s Student Senate meet for what newly appointed Vice President Phillip Wallace called, “a great start.”
After swearing in eight new senators—four freshmen, one sophomore, two juniors and one senior—the senate elected a new president pro tempore, junior political science major Phillip Robinson.
“It’s an honor,” Robinson said. As pro tempore, Robinson is chairman of the finance committee. “This semester, we’re going to make sure funds get to the organizations that need them the most.”
SGA President Jamal Taylor presented the senate with an update on what his branch intended to accomplish this semester.
“As you all know, the university is going through some difficult financial times, but we are still planning our Springfest activities. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to relay them to me.”
Taylor went on to announce he is going to publicly search for a new treasurer and activities coordinator.
“We are looking for people who are committed, meet the requirements for holding office and have an genuine interest in helping serve our student body,” Taylor said when asked what he was looking for in candidates.
As vice president, Wallace said one of the first things he wanted to do in office was revamp the SGA bylaws, constitution, and elections code.
During the fall 2008 semester, the senate and executive branch battled over interpretations of the Constitution and Bylaws, leading many to suggest streamlining the governing text.
“We will use the month of February to make changes to the Constitution,” Wallace said. I am asking the Academic Adviser of Student Affairs, former SGA members and others to help us fix our three conflicting laws.”
When asked why he went from being a freshmen justice to a senator, Demetris Sumner, a finance major from Dallas said he wanted to be a part of an active branch of SGA.
“I wanted to be somewhere where I could be active, not proactive,” said Sumner.