Senate swears in new officials

Former Student Senate Secretary Sam Merrill stepped down from her position to accept the Senate President Katrina Hurley’s appointment to chief justice. Hurley said that Merrill was the only applicant for the chief justice position.
“I’m very excited to move from secretary to chief justice,” Merrill said. “Secretary was a great opportunity; however, because of my major and my legal way of thinking I think I will better serve Chadron as the chief justice.”
Olivia Vester, who was approved as a senator at the Aug. 29 meeting, was nominated to the secretary position. The only other nomination for secretary was Michael Steube, who declined the nomination.
Dorm hall senators were sworn in: Steube, Andrews; Hershel Fosters, High Rise; and Teryn Blessin, Edna. Ashley Goad was also sworn in as an at large senator.
Hurley said there is still one at large senator, three dorm hall senators (Kent, Brooks, Eagle Ridge), and one justice of the court position open. She said there is also two openings on the constitutional committee.
Senate Vice President of Finance Curtis Stevens reported $114,376.10 in unallocated funds.
CAB presented its budget for the semester. They are asking for a total of $16,428. The breakdown is for four Free Movie Nights, $8,928; 10 Friday night activities, $1,000; club co-sponsored events, $2,000; Homecoming activities, $500; and one or two large events, $4,000. The vote will be next week after an open forum at 7 p.m. today in the Lakota/Bordeaux Rooms. The first Free Movie Night is this Sunday so the senators will vote on the allocation for that event in an online vote Friday.
Senate approved the CSC strength club as an official CAB member.
Student Trustee Coy Clark reported that the Board of Trustees met Thursday and Friday. The Board approved the beginning process of starting the RLOP (rural law opportunity program). This program will be similar to the RHOP (rural health opportunity program) but for the law programs. The hope is to have the program implemented next year.
Nominations for the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence award are due Oct. 3.
Pat Beu, senior director of student affairs, said that there are 200 students that are unable to use Sakai or their meal plans as of Monday because they have a bill of more than $500. Beu suggested senators pay attention to issues, like this, that are affecting a large number of their constituents.
Senators wishing to go to the Peru State Conference on Oct. 27-28 need to submit an application to Hurley by 10 p.m. Sept. 30.
Josh Mayer, representing ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps), brought the beginning stages of a 5k obstacle course that will be organized in memory of Sgt. Cory Mracek.