Opinions were in the air, and senate members were up in arms over Student Vice President for Public Affairs Daryl Jones’ recommended appointment for student liason to the Charleston City Council.

Andrew Ferrerra, a junior Family and Consumer Science major, was the candidate up for appointment to fill the position, and he responded to a question and answer forum from senate members as to why he believed he was qualified for the position.

During the question and answer session, Ferrerra was bombarded with a variety of questions about his qualifications, the experience he could bring to the position, his knowledge of the city and even his personal life.

After Ferrerra had finished responding to questions, the senate floor was opened for debate.

Student Body President Hugh O’Hara read a prepared statement to the senate about his objections to this person’s nomination, citing the lack of governmental experience in the candiadate.

“It’s true that I don’t have a lot of Student Government experience,” Ferrerra said. “But I have experience in other areas that could provide a lot to this position, and the position description does not list government experience as a prerequisite.”

However Senate Member Marty Ruhaak pointed out that several very important decisions are upon the town, and this term for the city council liason will rely heavily on the candidate’s experience.

“There are many important decisions coming up on zoning, and other issues that need the attention of someone with governmental experience ,” Ruhaak said.

O’Hara also said that it was the responsibility to speak out on behalf of a more experienced candidate.

“I felt it was my responsibility, and the duty of my office to say what I said this evening. As an elected representitive of the student body, I felt the students should have someone with more experience occupy the position.”

Hovever the fact that O’Hara used another senate member as an example of a qualified candidate left a bad taste in the mouths of some senate members.

“I felt that Andy filled the qualifications of the office as set in the constitution and bylaws, and I wanted a candidate who was not on the senate,” said Senate Member Tim Edwards.

“I think that the senate turned this into too much of a competition, and someone who is on the senate will have a different point of view than a regular member of the student body. Besides, when we finally get a member of the student body, not active in Student Government, participating I don’t like the fact that many of the senate members held his inexperience against him.”

“I think this was too focused on my inexperience, and not my abilities and experiences that qualified me for this position,” Ferrerra said.

Other than Ferrerra, all of the other nominees for appointment were approved, and the senate approved the motion that it tabeled last week which reimbursed