Six students were sworn in as senators at the regular Senate Meeting Tuesday in the Student Center.
Tanasia Morton, Robert Niemi, Joe Pernicano, Richard Banfield, Annaliese Corace Langbeen and Marshall Conley all went from provisional senator positions to full-fledged senators.
“Eastern Michigan University is a very underestimated school and the best way to change that reputation is straight from Student Government,” Conley said. “It’s the fastest way to make a difference.”
Morton said she wants to be a senator because she feels that the senate does not accurately reflect the student body at EMU.
“With my new position I hope to close the gap between the minority communities, specifically the black community, in Student Government,” Morton said.
Each student presented a personal statement outlining why he or she wants the position and what his or her goals are.
“It’s always really good to have senators come in and see what issues they would like to work on and just be knowledgeable about what are basic needs from students, as opposed to wanting to come in and figure it out,” Steven Cole, student body president, said. “There’s nothing wrong with that way, but wanting to come in and having established goals already is huge.”
He said the senate seems to be getting along well and working together as a cohesive unit.
“So I think this group is going to hit the group running and work with us really well,” Cole said.
Elizabeth Lang, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, addressed the Senate to speak about helping minorities afford housing.
The university Ombuds, Chiara Hensley, and Julia Heck, the Office of the Ombuds case management coordinator, spoke to the Senate about the office’s new complaint filing system.
“We collect data and we compare our data with your data to actually present a case to the Office of the Provost and other groups, other entities on campus, to advance policy changes, which is really what [Student Senate] want[s] to do as a body, advance policy,” Hensley said.
In his executive report, Cole spoke about the 100 flu vaccinations, worth $1,000, Student Government is providing students without healthcare.
Committees will hold regular meetings Oct. 13 in the Student Center.
