Joe Robbins, current speaker of the student senate, was re-elected for the spring 2002 semester, following an election process that took more than one hour.

Student senate member Allison Mormino was also nominated for the position.

Following nominations, candidates spoke on why they should be elected, two other people of the candidates’ choosing spoke on their behalf, followed by a question-and-answer session and finally discussion.

“I believe that continuity is important,” Robbins said in his remarks. He listed several projects already in progress that he would work on, including making the shuttle bus committee a standing committee, working on the new fee process, and Recognized Student Organization representation.

“I love this job, as plain as it is,” he said.

Mormino said she ran because people wanted to see a change. Her remarks focused on her prior leadership experience and connections to the Residence Hall Association and the University Board, both obtained by serving in leadership roles in those organizations.

The question-and-answer period was initially limited to 10 minutes for each candidate, but that limit was removed because there were many questions for each candidate.

Major issues each candidate was asked about included RSO representation and negative coverage by The Daily Eastern News, among others.

In other business, senate members Seth Quin and Nick Skipitaris were voted co-senate members of the semester because of a tie vote.

Quin was nominated for his involvement in the fee process and Skipitaris for his work on the housing committee, including the Rider/Roommate Board and his ideas for expanding the Panther Card.

Senate member Bill Davidson mentioned the Skipitaris “promotes excellent discussion” and senate member Kristen Wooden remarked that he was “comic relief at times.”

Jessica Catto, student vice president for academic affairs, said Quin was always prepared and Jen Fanthorpe, student vice president for financial affairs, said Quin did an excellent job stepping up on the Tuition and Fee Review Committee.

New senate members were seated at the last meeting of the semester as well. They are Jeffrey Collier, Tiffany Shelton, Kenyatta Brookins and Dwight Nelson.

Outgoing senate members are Stina Heldman, Amy Leonard, Kelli Mayes, Matthew Mills, James Paton, Desiree Rieckenberg, Kristen Wooden and Jeremy Ewing.