Senate Results




	Senate election results announced

	SENATE ELECTED-New Student Senate members were elected for the 1999-2000 school year Katie Shannon/TRUMPET

	by Melissa L. Guthrie
	Staff Writer

	Student Senate elections were held last Tuesday, September 21. According to Student Body President Emily Hamer the race was incredible. "With all the enthusiasm it was a very tight race which we were excited about." She added that 22 positions were filled and voter turnout was extremely impressive. Student Body Vice President Matt McNamara stated that the election results were overwhelming. There were a lot of applicants, McNamara indicated, and a lot of people showed up to vote. "For a Fall Term election, voter turnout was pretty high. I think we had more first year students vote than ever before," McNamara said. The high number of first-year applicants was named as one of the causes for such a tremendous voter turnout. McNamara said there were 18 first-year applicants in the running. "I feel that the election results show a very good representation for senate positions," he added. Hamer explained that nearly all senate positions are filled at this time. "Each position is assigned besides the Waverly Manors, which has one opening, and one non-traditional student. Other than that, every position is filled which is really great." The Cultural Awareness Organization and International Club, McNamara added, have yet to appoint their senators. A total of 40 senators possess voting power and four liaisons will work with Advisor Lex Smith on Senate decisions throughout the school year. Looking at the 1999-2000 school year, Hamer and McNamara named several goals Senate hopes to reach. "Communication is a big key," Hamer said. "It’s already been demonstrated that we want better communication this year. Otherwise, I don’t think we would have had as good a voter turnout." According to Hamer, keeping the campus informed is another goal. "Letting campus know what’s going on is important. We’ve already had better connections with KWAR, Wartburg Television and the Trumpet. Senate has had good correspondence with all of them," Hamer explained. Hamer also said Student Senate is the best way for students to get something done on campus. "We want students to realize that we’re here and that’s how things get accomplished. Senate is the best way to get straight to the administration," she explained. Administration has been contemplating the possibility of building a new residence hall, according to Senate. Hamer and McNamara said they want students’ opinions on the new residence hall as well as other issues. McNamara indicated that the senate office is open to students and added that meetings offer an open forum for students to voice their concerns. "Senate meetings are not limited to senators and executives," Hamer explained. "They are for the entire student body." Senate meetings are held on Thursday mornings at 9:30 in the Whitehouse Business Center. Some of what Senate does throughout the year will depend on decisions made by the Board of Regents and student input according to McNamara. "We need to know what the students are thinking through our senators. That way we can devise a plan of what we want to attack this year," McNamara said. Hamer and McNamara repeated that they are both really excited about the election results. "We hope the enthusiasm and interest in Senate continues," McNamara concluded.