Three students were sworn in as senators to the Student Government Association during the meeting Sept. 30, marking nine new senators sworn in since the beginning of the semester.

The addition of Bronson Bast, home-schooled high school senior, Yana Baker, psychology freshman, and Max Johnson, general studies freshman, to the SGA gives the organization 17 senators and a total of 23 SGA members.

“In order to have a full senate, we would need to have 24 senators,” senate chair Jonathan Moody, psychology junior, said.  “We haven’t had a full senate in the past several years, but we normally start out the year with only six or seven senators, so we’re starting out strong this year.”

At this time last year, the SGA only had 15 senators, and Moody said a lot of them dropped after the first semester.

Johnson said he looks forward to working with the organization and helping students on campus.

“It’s got a good atmosphere and good people,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to moving up the ladder in the organization and becoming an officer. I want to bring more of my ideas to the table.”

SGA pro temp Justin Miller, psychology and sociology junior, said the new members will help get the SGA back on the right track.

“We’re really excited that we continue to get new members to the SGA,” Miller said. “We look forward to their contribution.  I think we’re finally starting to move forward.”

With seven empty spots in the senate, Moody said the SGA will continue to accept applications from students expressing interest in the organization.

“We’re going to try to put up more announcements and fliers in every classroom saying we’re accepting new members,” Moody said. “They can also come to the office and turn in their application.”

Moody said the organization is looking over some of their policies, including the nomination committee, which was recently a big part of a discrimination allegation.

“The nomination committee is meeting next week to edit some of our policies,” Moody said.  “We want to make sure that something like what happened with Yana Baker doesn’t happen again.”

Jen Crompton, assistant director of Residence Life, said the organization may get more student involvement if they spend some time in the dorms.

The SGA entertained the idea of having some meetings in one of the lodges to get a chance to talk with the residents there.

“That’s who we really need to talk to,” Miller said. “They’re the ones who are on campus all day, every day.”

By AMANDA
CHIAMULERA

Staff

alchiamu@umail.iu.edu