SGA welcomes eight new senators at first semester meeting
Eight students walked into the first Student Government Association meeting of the spring semester as nominees. They left as senators.
In addition to swearing in new senators, SGA's budget of about $17,000 was approved during the 7 p.m. Monday night meeting held at the Bovee University Center. The role of the Student Budget Allocation Committee, which has two open seats and helps decide what funds are allocated to registered student organizations, was also addressed.
The eight students who were elected are as follows:
- Ludington junior Aubry Healy
- Bad Axe sophomore Galen Miller
- Saginaw junior Bryan Fettig
- Sterling Heights freshman Christina Yunan
- Ithaca freshman Emily Reeves
- Muskegon junior Alyssa Ramirez
- Farmington Hills sophomore Mary Chiejina
- Elkton junior Connor Ewald
Each nominee was able to nominate themselves or be nominated by any person in SGA. The nominations then were required to receive a second vote of confidence after the nominee accepted the nomination to be considered.
Before they were nominated, each senator gave a one-minute speech followed by two questions from members of SGA. The only exception was Fettig, who could not speak after oral surgery. Biernat delivered his speech for him.
Nominees needed just one vote to be elected to the senate.
"Some of the goals I have for them is to come up with great ideas that will be beneficial to everyone here on campus," said SGA president Jazmin Biernat. "I want to take these new leaders and push them towards the great leaders they can become to help anyone here on campus."
Ramirez stood before the packed auditorium and called giving her speech "nerve-wracking," adding she had stage fright.
After her testimony, which involved the push of a gender and sexuality center on campus, and then finding out she was elected, she was excited to take her oath.
"I want to make a difference on campus and in the community and eventually further my political career," Ramirez said. "I want to get my foot in the door and get a start."
Those interested in attending Student Budget Allocation Committee can email boak1mc@cmich.edu. The committee meets Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
The House re-elected Belding junior Cody Van Buren as its House Leader, while the senators elected Onaway senior Emilee Madison as its Senate Leader.
Owens, who was the Senate Leader last semester, said she is excited to see what Madison can do in her former role. She also wants to see the new senators pick a project they're passionate about and work on it this semester.
"It's exciting seeing new faces because new faces means new ideas," Owens said. "It will be really nice to see what they do with the semester."
SGA will not hold a meeting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day next Monday. The next meeting will occur Jan. 23.
