The position of city council liason remains unfilled after the Student Senate meeting Wednesday night.

Liela Morad, this week’s nominee, was turned away after another heated debate killed the potential candidate’s chances of clearing the Senate approval bar.

In the question-and-answer session, Morad responded to some questions that had little relevance to her position and focused more on her personal life.

Marty Ruhaak, chair of the external relations committee, kept his comments mostly objective, but delved into personal opinion by taking a solid stand on this issue.

“I feel this position requires a senator,” Ruhaak said. “I don’t want to discourage other students from being involved in senate, especially non-senate members, but this position needs someone who can best represent the students, like a senator.”

Student Vice President for Public Affairs Daryl Jones did not share the opinion of Ruhaak, and stood behind his recommended appointment, and thought the senate was judging the criteria unfairly.

“If they want a change in the requirements for this position, someone should write legislation to that effect,” Jones said.

“As far as I can see, and some senators agreed with me, I brought a person who filled all of the requirements the position has outlined in the constitution, and also had the experience the senate placed so much emphasis on at the last meeting. I felt that Liela was person to fill this position, but obviously the senate disagreed with me.”

Unhappy with the way the senate made its decision, Jones now plans to take official action against the senate for its actions.

“I am going to file an offical protest with the Student Supreme Court because, after conversing with Student Body President Hugh O’Hara, I am convinced the decision the senate rendered was in violation of the school’s constitution,” he said.

Jones also does not plan to bring anyone else forward for the position until the supreme court renders a decision.

“I don’t see what else I can do to please the senate,” Jones said.

When Speaker of the Senate Joe Robbins called upon the senate to produce a candidate, no one volunteered, and Ruhaak made it clear that he was not competing for this job.

“I am not trying to turn this into a competition by any means,” he said. “I just think the students deserve the best possible representation, and I challenge this senate to live with its decision if it appoints the wrong person.”

After that, Ruhaak called the matter to a vote where the appointment was defeated.

In other senate news, O’Hara announced that the university will be interviewing people to fill the position of assistant vice president for academic affairs for technology. The interviews will take place in Buzzard Hall on Sept. 26, Oct.1 and Oct. 3.

Also, the elections reform commission still needs members, and any one interested should go to the Student Activities Center on the second floor of the Matrin Luther King Jr. University Union.