Student Senate works to fill open seats

Student Senate swore in four new members of the executive board and four new senators Monday night during its weekly Zoom meeting. These new members filled the vacancies that were left empty after senate was unable to hold an election due to COVID. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 19, all CSC students were sent an email that allowed them to vote on who would be the new president and vice president of Student Senate. Former Vice President of Finance Lily Umeta, 22, senior of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was the only candidate running for the position of president and former Senator of BMS Abigail Klammer, 21, junior of Hastings, was the only candidate for vice president.  

There were 250 students that voted in the election.

“I am big on getting to know people and forming relationships and I am looking forward to meet new people whether that is students or staff or faculty,” Umeta said. “I am grateful to be part of a team of senators that care about our school and students and work towards bettering student life. I am looking forward to working with different committees and departments on campus and better represent students at CSC.” 

Umeta said that she has mixed emotions about taking on the role as president but is still excited to serve the CSC community. She decided to run for president because she wanted to see the projects she started as vice president of financing last year.

“This is a hard time for everyone and we are discovering new normal everyday,” Umeta said. “It takes a strong leadership to get through times like this and I just hope I have what it takes. I know I have great returning senators and many new senators that are already taking initiatives to better student experience. So I am not alone.”

They were sworn in on Monday alongside Natalie Boyd, senator of Kent Hall, and Feven Hailemarian, senator of BMS. Boyd was voted on to fill the empty secretary position and Hailemarian was voted on to fill the position of vice president of finance.  

Along with the positions that were filled on the executive board, four senate seats were filled that night.  

Brandy Fredrichson, 19, sophomore of Boelus, is a new senator at large, Colton Brienza, 20, of South Dakota, is the new senator of High Rise, Chinaza Nwosa 21, graduate student of Lagos, Nigeria, is a new senator of BMS, and Laura Clay, 19, junior of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the new senator of Edna Hall.  

“I am extremely excited and proud to be taking the role of senator at large for our college,” Fredrichson said. “I have been interested in politics since I was 16 and have held many executive positions in clubs and sports, but nothing has been on this large of a scale or of this utmost impact to people. This will be a special position that I hope I can continue to learn and advance in.” 

Despite the seats that were filled in the senate, the CAB executive board remains empty.  

“Keep a smile on your face even though people can’t see it behind your mask,” Megan Northrup, student activities coordinator, said. “Smile with your eyes if you need to. Hang in there and we’ll get through this.” 

In Other News:

> Student Senate allocated a total of $4,000 to the food pantry that is on campus. Each month starting the second week in September, $1,000 will be given to help pay for the food given out to students that suffer from food insecurities.  

> Student Senate voted to approve a new general liability provider suggested by the Nebraska State College System. The insurance, which covers club events, will cost the senate $77.59, bringing the total to $1,195.59.  

> Taylor Osmotherly, associate director of residence life, stepped down as an adviser to the Student Senate after taking on the position of assistant director of High Rise.  

“I’m sad because y’all are awesome and I love y’all so much, especially those who are returners, but I would’ve looked forward to getting to know some of you newbies too,” Osmotherly said.