Student Government met for the first time since November on Wednesday evening to welcome the new Director of Student Involvement and pass legislation to prepare for the upcoming spring elections.

The meeting began with Justine Hollingshead, the former interim Director of Student Involvement and current Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) chief of staff, introducing Jessica Murphy, the new Director of Student Involvement, to the Student Senate. Murphy said that she was excited to begin working with Student Government this semester.

“I’ve worked with [Student Governments] in the past,” Murphy said. “But as some of you are well aware [Student Government] is different at every institution.”

Lauren Siegel, a fourth-year studying economics and computer science and the new Appropriations Committee chairperson, announced that the appropriations process for spring break 2018 to fall break 2018 period will be beginning soon. The application for student organizations opens on Jan. 22 and closes on Feb. 4.

Sen. Ryan Dunn, a second-year studying political science and chairperson of the Government Relations and Oversight Committee, introduced and made a motion to fast track a bill, GB66 Spring Elections Timeline Clarification Act. The bill’s purpose is to clarify the spring election rules to allow for elections to occur before spring break, according to Dunn.

“This [new] statute really just clears up [Student Government election rules] so that there will be an election before spring break, which is when they always occur,” Dunn said.

Dunn also introduced and made a motion to fast track another bill, GB67 Senior Class President Election Removal Act. The bill removed a position titled “Senior Class President” from Student Government election rules entirely. The position has not existed for the past few sessions and has no relation to Student Government anymore, according to Dunn.

Student Senate President Mitchell Moravec, a fifth-year studying materials science and engineering and psychology, commented that the Student Senate has nine seats currently open. These vacancies include three open seats in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and two open seats in College of Design delegations, as well as four other seats. Moravec is currently reviewing applications for those positions through the Student Government website.

“I have received lots of applications for the CHASS and PCOM seats … and I would really like to see more applications,” Moravec said.

Zac Lentz, a graduate student studying biological and agricultural engineering and the Student Senate legislative secretary, made a final comment to remind senators to be mindful of their current duties as elected representatives as the spring elections begin to come underway.

“Elections are upcoming, it’s very exciting,” Lentz said. “And if you’re running, I’m excited for you. That being said, don’t forget you have a job right now.”