Student Senate’s newest City Council Liaison said he is well aware of issues facing the students of Eastern and plans to make their views known.

Bill Davidson is a sophomore political science major who first got involved with the Student Senate last semester and jumped right into all the senate has to offer. Now he’s hooked.

“I was looking to become more involved politically, so I attended one of the information tables about Student Senate,” Davidson said. “Student Senate keeps me busy, and is addicting.”

Davidson chairs the Health Advisory Board and the University Development and Recycling committee, he is a liaison to the Faculty Senate, and is also active on the Student Action Team and Intercollegiate Athletic Board.

In his newest position, Davidson is responsible for representing Eastern’s student body in Charleston’s city government.

“We are residents of Charleston, too,” Davidson said. “Our views should be considered also.”

Davidson said he wanted to become City Council liaison because he thought he could bridge the gap between the students and the city.

“I wanted to be City Council Liaison because (it would allow me) to work between the city and the students, and I felt that the mayor respects me and I respect the mayor,” Davidson said. “So I figured I would work well between the mayor and the students.”

Davidson was asked to be the City Council Liaison Jan. 10, and was approved by the Senate Jan. 16.

Daryl Jones, student vice president for public affairs, is in charge of appointing the City Council Liaison.

Jones had trouble appointing a liaison last semester after two candidates were voted down because senate members felt they did not have sufficient experience dealing with student and city governments.

One of Davidson’s barage of goals as the new liaison is to relieve tension between the city and the students and have them work as one. An issue currently affecting the community is noisy house parties that are hosted by students, Davidson said.

Davidson is not alone in his efforts to bring peace between the permanent residents of Charleston and the students of Eastern.

“Some parties are ambushed by the police, and others are just warned, I want a set of clear rules stated so that students know what is going too far,” Davidson said.

A neighborhood organization called Neighbors for a Peaceful Neighborhood is also attempting to ease this tension. In addition, the External Relations Committee is forming a subcommittee to address the issue.

Davidson also hopes to work on entertainment options that don’t include bars.

“I want to come up with other activities besides bars, and get students out of their dorm rooms and out with the community or doing campus activities,” Davidson said.

Davidson brings a wealth of experience to his position. As chair of the Health Advisory Board, he deals with health issues that the students feel need to be addressed.

“We have dealt with the approximate amount of money that Health Services will need in order to serve the students,” Davidson said.

The Student Action Team, of which Davidson is a member, is a committee of 15 students that visit Springfield to lobby for funding. The funding from the last trip went to university maintenance, Davidson said.

As chair of the University Developing and Recycling Committee, Davidson is currently working to provide more lighting on campus.

“If it is possible of saving one person from being hit by a car, for one light, I think it is worth it,” he said.

There is a motive behind Davidson’s efforts.

“I want to boost the school’s moral,” Davidson said. “I want to see the school flourish.”