Student Senate adds five to ranks

Three associate Constitutional Court justices and two diversity senators sworn in

On Monday, Student Senate held its second meeting of the semester after taking last Monday off during Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

The senate chamber was fuller than during the senate’s first meeting when attendance was down substantially. Contributing to the increase in attendance may be a result of the new meeting time of 4 p.m.  

At the first meeting, Vice President Abby Klammer blamed class times of some senators at 5 p.m. for low attendance. 

Another reason for high attendance at Monday’s meeting results from the presence of 5 new members sworn in by Chief Justice Nathan Cronin. Two diversity senators and three associate justices of senate’s constitutional court were sworn in with another justice scheduled to be sworn in. 

Toni Lopez, 19, Freshman of Limon, Colorado was one of two diversity senators sworn in. She hopes to learn senate’s modus operandi before considering major legislation goals. 

“I want to first learn what goes on; I want to inform myself about everything, and then hopefully we can make some new changes around the school,” said Lopez after the meeting.  

Lopez is also currently a member of the campus Diversity Club. 

The other diversity senator sworn in was Siddhant Shelke, 22, Sophomore of India.   

“I wanted to join senate because I recognize the work they do and I thought I could be helpful, and I just wanted to make some difference if I can,” Shelke said after the meeting.  

Lopez Brings his experience from the Campus Activity Board’s Activity Fee Board to senate and also remains active on the AFB.  

The three students sworn into the Constitutional Court included the following: Lena Aslan, 21, Senior of Elizabeth, Colorado; Samantha Carrillo, 21, Junior of Alliance; and Michael Gomez, 23, Senior of Alliance. All of the new justices are majoring in criminal justice.

“I look forward to being on the Constitutional Court because it allows me to give voice to the opinions of my peers and my own. Together we are forming and creating the future of how the Student Senate sees and hears cases,” said Carillo. 

After new members were sworn in, Chief Justice Cronin spent time delivering a formal Constitutional Court opinion about a case involving petitioner Vice President Klammer v. BMS senator Chinaza Nwosa. 

“Vice President exercises this right by filing a petition against said senator for claims of unexcused absences multiple times at the regular senate meetings during the fall of 2020,” said Cronin.  

According to the opinion, Nwosa disputed the accusations of unexcused absences and requested a hearing but failed to file the appropriate petition for hearing. As a result, the court ordered Nwosa to strictly follow attendance policies. 

The court opinion did not mention sanctions if Nwosa violates the attendance policies again.  

In other news: 

> A Kent Hall and liberal arts senator position remains available 

> Senate had $27, 649.10 in unallocated funds. 

> Senate had $30, 000.00 in unallocated trip funds.