The Student Senate meeting began earlier than usual on Tuesday in the Hughes-Trigg Commons area due to the 3 p.m. inauguration, in which former student body president Patrick Kobler passed on the torch to the newly elected president Jake Torres.
“I cannot speak long today because it is no longer my show,” Kobler said jokingly.
Audience members chuckled and Kobler continued his speech by congratulating the former student body officials and thanking those who have helped him in his endeavors throughout this past year.
Afterwards, Kobler swore Torres into his new position and then Torres moved in front of the podium for his turn to address the audience.
“You are because somebody else once was,” Torres said in quoting Student Senate adviser Jennifer Jones.
Torres said these words were meant to inspire the newest addition to the Student Senate to fulfill the footsteps of those before them.
After Torres briefly readdressed his platform and shared a few uplifting words about school spirit, the inaugural meeting ended. The weekly Student Senate meeting commenced a few moments later at 3:30 p.m. in the usual spot—the Hughes-Trigg Forum.
Vice President Austin Prentice addressed the Senate with important pending dates, one of which is the intended day of the first senate meeting in the fall, which is set for Aug. 31.
Future dates aside, Prentice stressed not to slack until then.
“The job now starts; it’s just now beginning,” Prentice said.
Next up was Student Senate Secretary Katie Perkins; among a couple of general announcements, Perkins discussed the implementation of a new program called “Senator of the Month.”
The idea calls for a new point system. The member with the most points at the end of each month will receive a reward, such as possibly a plaque. The system is meant to provide an incentive for those in Senate to be more punctual, wear name tags when necessary, and to abide by even more requirements that occasionally fall by the wayside.
Student Senate adviser Jennifer Jones followed Perkins at the podiumand offered advice for the new senate members.
“You are here to serve… The debt you owe for the space you occupy is service,” Jones said.
Jones reminded the officials that their foremost goal is to make sure that their constituents’ voices are heard and complaints are answered.
The last order of business called for the election of a Speaker, Chief of Staff, Parliamentarian, Rules Tribunal and lastly, Summer Senate Members.
Simmons Senator Laura Schur was elected Speaker, Lyle Senator Joe Esau was elected Parliamentarian, and Dedman I Senator Alex Mace was elected Chief of Staff.
The new members filling the position of Rules Tribunal are Dedman II Senator Kellie Spano, Law Senator Michael Boulos and Dedman II Senator Alex Ehmke. The five summer senators are Dedman I Senator Giacoma Cusimano, Dedman I Senator Aden Abiye, Dedman II Senator Kellie Spano, Lyle Senator Claudia Sandoval and Law Senator Scott Rogers.