The MSU Student Association announced this year’s Senate Wednesday following elections. The new senators were elected by 1,221 student voters in the lobbies of Mitchell Memorial Library and Allen Hall.SA Vice President Caroline Adams said the only requirement for those running was a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
SA President Jeremy Johnson said the senators’ main duties are to communicate with students in their specified buildings and create pieces of legislation to change or improve anything that raises concern on campus.
Installing light posts behind Rice Hall and displaying the MSU alma mater on the Sony JumboTron at football games represent a few successful examples of Senate legislation, Adams said.
The three qualities a senator should have are responsibility, love of school and a desire to serve, she said.
“They have to want to have fun and to help people,” Adams said. “I’m excited with the list we have. There were no bad people to try out.”
A former senator, Adams said her favorite aspect of the position was listening to people voice their opinions on positive aspects of campus life.
“I liked making improvements to the campus and learning how to serve the university from the older students,” she said. “They kind of paved the way for freshmen and sophomores.”
SA elections commissioner Phillip Bass said it is the Senate’s duty to look out for the interests of MSU students.
“It’s the one part of the SA that’s the closest reflection to the student body,” Bass said.
He said SA senators have to be observant and good listeners.
“I served on the Senate my freshman year,” he said. “I got to hear some of the issues I never realized students have.”
When Bass served on the Senate, academic forgiveness was brought up and passed.
Joseph Spinosa, an undeclared freshman and senator for Building Three, said his main goal for his first year serving on Senate is to make sure that everything gets done right and that the students who live in his building are happy.
Spinosa said something on campus has already been brought to his attention that he thinks should be changed.
“Some of the other dorms in the Northeast Village have cooking grills outside and sitting areas,” he said. “We have to walk to Ruby to use their grills.”
Liz Luke, an apparel, textiles and merchandising major and senator for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences said she is looking forward to becoming involved in student government.
The aspect of student life she would like to see a change in is the student body’s bond with the administration.
“I would try to make a stronger connection between the administrations and the students,” she said. “They don’t seem to have a very strong bond.”
A runoff for Sen. For Critz Hall will be held Tuesday.
Adams said Johnson will give an initial address to the Senate WHEN at the M-Club from 7 to 9 p.m.
SA meetings are held every other Tuesday and they are open to the public, Johnson said.