The Talley Governance Chambers was nearly full for the first Student Senate meeting of the semester on Wednesday evening. 

New in his role as student senate president, Cody Long said he aims to transform the Student Senate into a body for advocacy, with efforts to do so beginning this semester.

“I want to make sure that each and every student starts feeling something for this university,” said Long, a sophomore studying history. “Even if it’s something small, we will become something much better.”

The NC State Student Senate swore in Long on Jan. 6 after former Student Senate President Alex Grindstaff was forced to step down due to a university rule that students found responsible for a student conduct violation are not eligible to participate in Student Government.

During a discussion at the meeting, Student Body President Rusty Mau said students should be aware of the fact that UNC System President Tom Ross has been forced to step down from his position by the UNC System Board of Governors, but will serve in the role for one more year.

Mau said Chancellor Randy Woodson and administrators are aware of the situation and they are keeping their eye on the situation, as the change of power could potentially impact the university. 

 “It’s a very pivotal point for North Carolina and potentially NC State,” Mau said. 

Mau also discussed his opposition to the UNC System Board of Governors proposed $30 Campus Safety Fee, which all students would have to pay beginning next year if the fee is approved when the board meets in February. 

Out of every student’s fee, $5 would go toward administration costs for the UNC System and  $25 will go toward funding campus safety infrastructure at UNC System schools, with no guarantee that all of NC State’s students’ money will come back to the NC State.

“I was the first to respond and said fundamentally I disagree with any mandated fee from the BOG specifically when that money is paid for by an NC State student and doesn’t all come back to our campus,” Mau said

Mau said if campus safety infrastructure is a priority for the state and the UNC system, it is something North Carolina should provide or figure out how fund without mandating a fee on the backs of students.

The bill is contentious within the Board of Governors because it would allow funds to be taken from NC State and directed to other smaller universities, according to Mau.

“As your student body president I do not agree with your money going to other campuses,” Mau said.

Long said students shouldn’t be satisfied with how the Student Government has been running so far, but he hopes to see changes in the future. 

“NC State is one of the few universities that has such a strong student voice,” Long said.

Long urged students to join and become involved in Student Government.

“I don’t think people really know what the university is until they’re actively engaged, until you’re emotionally invested in the decisions that are being made,” Long said. 

Also at the meeting, five students were officially appointed to Student Senate: Evan Sugar, a junior studying zoology, Diya Sashidhar, a senior studying applied mathematics, Maggie Fleishman, a sophomore studying fashion and textile management, Jamie Plummer, a junior studying polymer and chemistry and Emily Jenio, a freshman studying textile technology.