The final Senate meeting of the 2017-18 academic year appointed students to both the Senate and Executive Branch. However, the absence of two Executive Cabinet appointees spurred debate as to whether those individuals should be appointed in this meeting, or during the next academic year.

Because of the vacant seats open to in the Senate after the spring election cycle, the students who were part of the colleges that had vacant seats in Senate, were able to apply. Students had to send an application in to Adam Schmidt, a second-year* studying civil engineering and Student Senate President, and the applications were then reviewed extensively by Schmidt to ensure that each applicant was the best to represent their college.

The appointees discussed their individual missions as representatives and were then approved by the Senate majority. The newly appointed Senators are as follows:

Mandy Bradbury, Graduate and Lifelong Education

Paul Cray, Graduate and Lifelong Education

Natalia Andrea Marino, Graduate and Lifelong Education

James Withrow, Graduate and Lifelong Education

Iain Dixon, College of Sciences

Lauren Emer, College of Sciences

Michael Evans, College of Sciences

Anna Martin, College of Design

Josselyn Rivera, College of Natural Resources

Kat Santoro, College of Natural Resources

Alyssa Stoltz, College of Natural Resources

James Hollenhead, Poole College of Management

Kelsie O’Connell, Poole College of Management

Joseph Raymond, Poole College of Management  

The roles of parliamentarian and press secretary were both to be approved. The role of the parliamentarian in Senate is to clarify doubts individuals may have about parliamentary procedure and the role of press secretary is to strengthen communication with media outlets and organizations across campus.

Clark Fowler, a second-year studying agricultural education and representing the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was appointed as parliamentarian. Emma Carter, a second-year studying criminology and international studies and representing the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was appointed as press secretary.

The second reading of legislation to approve the officers of the Executive Branch did not go without debate. The offices that were debated were the office of ASG delegate and the office of Traditions director where both appointees were not available to attend the meeting as they are currently studying abroad. Coleman Simpson, a third-year studying agricultural science and anthropology*** and representing the College of Agriculture and Life Science, expressed his belief that the appointees themselves needed to be present in order for senators to better understand the appointee’s goals.

“When we were made aware that two appointees would not be here, I was concerned,” Simpson said. “I expressed my concerns that I was not in favor of appointing someone that was not here because I think it’s very important to get to talk with someone one-on-one. A lot of times we don’t know what questions we’re going to ask of someone in their position until we hear them speak, because it builds a lot of our questions.”

After debating both Senate resolutions, Naila Segule and Abby Verchick were appointed to the offices of ASG delegate and Traditions director, respectively. The other students that were appointed to Executive Office are as follows:

Ryan Dunn, Chief of Staff

Taylor Pulliam, Communications Co-Director

Ryan Pecaut, Communications Co-Director

Shelsey Hall, Diversity Outreach Co-Director

Sam Chan, Diversity Outreach Co-Director

Isabelle Babson, Executive Assistant

Andrew McDonald, Government Affairs Director

Jimmy Donovan, Sustainability Director

Alex Obiol, University Affairs Director

Lilly Neal, Chair of Board of Elections

Mike Madden, Graduate Student Relations Director**

Jess Errico, a fourth-year studying mechanical and aerospace engineering and student body president, said that she will address the concerns of the Senate as well as the student body by constantly looking for ways to improve upon their roles as student body officers and cabinet members.

“I think continuous evaluation of performance and roles is healthy and positive if done in a way that is constructive for the student in the role,” Errico said. “Ultimately, we are all here as students and we’re here as student leaders to learn and grow into roles. Certainly, working with people in their roles to address any problems before they arise or as they’re becoming an issue, to allow them the opportunity to correct course and be on track for what the expectations of Student Government are.”

*Editor’s Note: This article was updated to accurately reflect Adam Schmidt’s year.

**Editor’s Note: This article was updated to reflect the members of the executive cabinet. 

***Editor’s Note: This article was updated to accurately reflect Coleman Simpson’s year and major.