SGA Senate Gets Down to Buisiness Speaker of the Senate Elected in Second Meeting

Author: Megan O'Keefe

In the second meeting of the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate on Oct. 26, Mike Villarello '05 was elected Speaker of the Senate, while two seats on the body remain unfilled.

A special election will be held on Thursday and Friday to fill the position of Senior Feb Senator, while a run-off election will be held to break a tie between Annie Davies '06 - who attended Sunday's meeting - and Sue-Jean Chun '07 in last week's special election for Brainerd Commons Senator.

Four candidates for speaker of the Senate were nominated during the meeting: Ross Senator Doug Campell '06, Sophomore Senator Kathrin Schwesinger '06, Inter-House Council Senator Mike Villarello '05 and Junior Full Year Senator Jimmy Hickey '05.

Votes were taken by a show of hands amounting to three votes for Campell, two for Schwesinger, four for Villarello, three for Hickey and two abstentions.

Villarello was appointed speaker with a plurality of 28.6 percent of votes, despite the fact that he did not win by the "majority vote" required by section V.(a) of the SGA Constitution.

SGA cabinet reports were presented before the Senate to update senators on cabinet and committee activities. Director of Membership Courtney Taylor '04 updated the Senate on the upcoming special and runoff elections.

Secretary of the Press Andrew Carnabucci '06 informed the Senate that his latest publicity efforts would focus on constructing and placing wooden signs at designated Midd-Rides stops across campus.

Director of Social Affairs Megan McElroy '04 presented a number of social initiatives currently being considered and researched by her committee, including allowing first-years to register parties without alcohol, running a van service to Burlington on weekend nights and permitting spontaneous party registration one or two days in advance of the event. McElroy also announced plans for a spring social event.

Chief of Staff Drew Pugsley '04 informed the Senate that plans are being made to test the financial and environmental viability of having network printers available in all dorms.

Senators volunteered to fill the Ratification Committee, Impeachment Committee and Appeals Committee, before concluding the meeting by sharing their goals for the year.

The Senators expressed a desire to address a number of issues throughout the year, including reforming campus social life, bridging the gap between the SGA and Commons Councils and addressing the weaknesses of the current room draw system.

SGA President Sam Rodriguez said that he hoped each Senator would dedicate him or herself to a particular project and work to see it through to completion.

No bills were presented during the meeting.