Senate regoups after COVID kills spring election

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak that forced CSC to shut its doors in March, student senate was unable to hold an election to fill the vacant positions that would be left behind by students  that graduated in May. 

Now, as the new semester begins, it faces even more challenges. 

According to Student Trustee, the first plan for the semester is to fill those empty positions as soon as possible.   

All students on campus will be sent an email on Aug. 17 allowing them to vote on who will fill the empty positions on the executive board. The students eligible to fill these positions must be former senate members. Votes must be submitted by Aug. 20 at 5 p.m..

Until the election is over, Vice President of Finance Lily Umeta, Chief Justice Carter Thiele, and Kluber will be leading senate meetings.  

While there won’t be too many  problems that arise with these vacancies, there will be a decrease in functionality of the senate until the positions have been filled.

“There will be some challenges, but as a Senate we are trying to fill the spots as soon as we can,” Klueber said. 

After the positions on the executive board have been filled, empty positions in the senate body can be appointed by the president. Executive board positions are expected to be filled much quicker than the senatorial vacancies.  

The empty positions isn’t the only challenge senate will be facing.  

Senate meeting will have to be adjusted to fit social distancing regulations caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Klueber said that meetings held in-person are the most desirable, but livestream options will be made available for students who choose not to gather. These options will allow for an uncapped number of students to participate in the meetings.  

  “Much like everything in our society during these times, this too will be a learning and growing process for us. As guidelines change, vacancies are filled, and the semester progresses, Student Senate plans on doing the best they can to serve the students,” Klueber said.

Plans for the rest of the semester remain unknown. However, Klueber said that the senate is looking to foster an environment where students can return as closely possible to “normal” in regards to their student life, organizations and other activities.