Student Senate elections underway, CAB votes in new board

Members of the Campus Activities Board elected four students to executive positions Tuesday, while three students are expected to fill open positions of Student Senate president, vice president, and the senator of the School of B.E.A.M.S.S. after student government elections Wednesday and today.

The four positions filled in CAB have new titles stemming from changes to the CAB constitution over the past couple of weeks. Of the four CAB positions, only one, vice chair of finance, featured more than one candidate on the ballot. Similarly in the Student Senate race, only three students are on the ballot for the two executive offices and the senator of B.E.A.M.S.S. post.

Lane Swedberg, 20, sophomore of North Platte, was elected as the new CAB chair, a position replacing the organization’s presidential role.

As a former CAB vice president this past year, Swedberg said he is familiar with his new position.

“My role as vice president this year has taught me so much, especially with all the changes that have occured in Student Senate over the past couple weeks,” he said. “I want to help make CAB membership more of an honor than an obligation.”

Dani Buckley, 21, junior of Palmer, Alaska, was elected as CAB’s vice chair of programming, a position similar to the responsibilities of the previous vice president. Buckley commented that she is familiar with CAB after her role as president for the 2012-2013 academic year.

“I want to use this position to encourage student involvement,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to create more good experiences in the college atmosphere.”

Cheyenne Deering, 18, freshman of Wall, S.D., is filling the position, vice chair of records, which is replacing the CAB secretary. She is now a student ambassador and commented on her desire to be more involved.

“It’s important to play an active role in CAB,” she said. “I want to make an impact.”

Brendan Mead, 20, junior of Knoxville, Iowa, is the new vice chair of finance, which replaces the role of CAB treasurer. He is currently the treasurer of the National Association for Music Education. He is also a manager at McDonald’s.

“I plan to continue to fulfill the duties of vice chair of finance,” Mead said. “I hope to formulate new ideas to improve the position’s effectiveness.”

Jacob Rissler, 20, sophomore of Gillette, Wyo., is the only student running for senate president this year. Rissler is a resident adviser in Andrews Hall and a senator. Communication among staff, senate, and clubs is important, Rissler said.

Another goal is to increase interest in Student Senate, he said.

“This goal is nothing new though,” Rissler said. “Everyone in the past has promised that.”

In order to fulfill his goal, Rissler discussed plans to implement several programs to encourage student involvement. One of the programs would involve posting videos online that summarize weekly senate meetings, he said. Rissler commented that he also hopes to bring in state senators for an informal meet-and-greet where students can discuss any issue they want with those directly involved in politics.

“Programs like these will help spark interest in student government,’’ Rissler said.

Jacob Almanrode, 18, junior of Sidney, in a similar manner, is the only candidate for Student Senate vice president. Almanrode is a transfer student in his first year at CSC, and he recently became a student ambassador. Like Rissler, increasing student involvement in senate is important, Almanrode said.

“I plan on working with Rissler to improve student involvement,” he said.

Almanrode commented that experience gained through his work in senate have qualified him for this position.

Uniting CAB, Student Senate, and the Senate Finance Committee will be high on the agenda, he said.

Kirby Krogman, 21, junior of White River, S.D., is the only nominee for Senator of B.E.A.M.S.S. position.