Five newly elected first-year student senators will join upperclass leaders next weekend for orientation. The group includesRussell Allsup, Gabe Travers, Erika Washburn, Liz Healy and RafaelAlvarez.

“I thought the election process was really interesting,and I’m really excited to get together with the group thisweekend,” Healy said.

Healy also said she thought all the candidates had strongopinions about issues such as politics, student leadership andcommunity involvement. She also noted that the stake signs acrosscampus played a key role in the election process.

In addition to the senators, First-Year Class Council membersand First-Year Emerging Leaders were chosen. Monday evening markedthe groups’ second meeting, where mentors met with theirfirst-year mentees. The group expanded this year to two groups of25 participants.

“We want to establish relationships [with the first yearswe mentor] early so we as upper class students can show them theropes, and basically get them plugged into what’s going onaround campus,” Alana Kalantzakis, the Emerging Leaders vicepresident of Programming said.

Emerging Leaders President Kimberly DeBlance said each of thegroups will hold community service events to involve both SMU andthe surrounding community.

As of Monday, the members seemed excited to be meeting with oneanother.

“It’s a good experience, getting to connect with theyounger class,” senior mentor Courtney Fox said.