On Tuesday, Eastern Michigan University’s student senate discussed whether it should support the implementation of a student fee of $0.93 for Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority bus passes, to establish an ad hoc Energy and Sustainability Committee for the 2013-2014 year and to remove a section from the bylaws of Student Government. All three resolutions passed.
All three resolutions were discussed, but much of the meeting was spent discussing the pros and cons of the resolution to add a student fee of $0.93 for AAATA bus passes before it was finally passed.
Student Body President Desmond Miller showed excitement about passing the AAATA resolution.
“I’m glad it was approved tonight because that means I get to present it to President Martin and the Board of Regents now,” Miller said.
Nino Monea, the student body vice president, was also happy about the AAATA resolution.
“This issue has been around since I was a freshman, and this is a big step forward,” Monea said. “It will help build the community and pose as a solution to the parking issues we face on campus.”
Monea said he was most excited about the Energy and Sustainability Committee.
“It will bring in both government members and students,” Monea said. “It is our opportunity to show other institutions who have committees like this already what we can do.”
In addition to the three new resolutions, the senate also welcomed four new senators on Tuesday night. Brett Foster, Kiera Fagan, Maya Rich and Marc Monahan were all appointed by the senate.
“I think the new senators are absolutely great,” Miller said. “They actually have a lot of the qualities I look for in [executive] board members.”
Vice President Monea shared President Miller’s enthusiasm about the new senators.
“They will all be great additions to our senate,” Vice President Monea said.
After the meeting, Miller seemed optimistic about the school year ahead.
“I think this is going to be a fun year,” Miller said. “I’m not like a president you have seen before. You can trust me, and I am here to enhance student voice.”
