Student Senate has been busy this fall. Elections have taken place, the finance committee is accepting midyear requests and many policy initiatives have been progressing.

The fall Student Senate elections were held on Sept. 16 to fill Residence Hall and Class Representative positions. Full results are in the box at right.

Junior Classics and Political Science Major Nick Prince, winner of the junior senator position, is focusing on what his fellow students want.“My goal as a senator is to best represent my grade and do things best for the student body,” Prince said. “It’s easy to get caught up in politics and drama, but the responsibility of the senate and my job is to the other 99 percent of the student body who aren’t in the room.”

“I think with the leadership in command, a lot will get done this year,” Senior English Major Sean Skjerping said, new representative of the College View Apartments.

A tie occurred in the race for Pittman and Prairie View senators. A runoff election was held on Sept. 18, but no one voted, so the positions are currently vacant.

Fewer students voted this year than in previous years, but the election turnout was still higher than at many other colleges. “Gustavus always has a higher voter turnout than other schools in the MIAC,” Finance Chair and Junior History and Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies Major Brandon Hirdler said.

First-years showed great interest in joining Student Senate, fighting competitively for the empty seats. There were also a few surprises due to write-ins this year.

In other news, the Finance Committee is now formed and ready to take midyear requests from student organizations. Organizations can simply fill out a budget sheet and send it to Finance Chair Hirdler: bhirdler@gac.edu. Students can also stop by during his weekly office hours every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Senate office with questions.

So far, Senate has been busy with policy issues. Current topics in Senate include work on the immunity policy, handicap accessibility, eliminating bottled water in the Market Place, changing The Dive into a campus pub, changing the kind of parking permits issued and creating a fixed route for the GusBus.

Senate is here to serve you. If you have any questions or concerns, remember that your senators represent the voice of the students. You can find you senator’s contact information at http://gacspot.com/.

Community members are also invited to attend Senate meetings in the Board Room on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. A community comment portion also allows students to voice their concerns and suggestions.

Election Results

Class Senators

First-year senator: Casey Hagadorn
Sophomore senator: Blake Gust
Junior senator: Nick Prince
Senior senator: Joey Nowariak

Hall Senators

Arbor View Apartments: Andrew Schmitt
College View Apartments: Sean Cain Skjerping
Complex: Jessica Flannery and Emmett Russell
International Center: Clark Kampfe
Norelius Hall: Zoe May and Stetson McAdams
Rundstrom: Megan Nelson
Sohre: Sara Fogelberg
Southwest: Eric Kunkel
Uhler: Nick Atkins
Off-Campus: Anthony Adams and Brian Krahulec
International Representative: Angela Chang