New Student Senate members

On-campus:

Erin Volk

Michelle Bosco

Off-campus:

Jeffrey White

Brandon Thompson

At large:

Sarah Shaw

Megan Ogulick

Seven new Student Senate members were elected in the fall.

In order to help the new members with the process, Student Senate Speaker Jeff Lange scheduled an orientation for the new Student Senate members after Wednesday night’s meeting.

“I am going to focus a lot of time on getting all the senators comfortable with each other, so that the newer senators will be more comfortable with speaking their ideas,” Lange said.

New members will also be encouraged to write proposals, he said.

Even with the orientation, new Student Senate members are getting into the mix of things.

“I’m just starting to realize how much impact the students have on the actions of this university.” said Student Senate member Megan Ogulnick.

The new members are also getting support for veteran members.

“Other senators have been very helpful in explaining things I have questions about and making sure I am informed about the whole process,” said Student Senate member Erin Volk.

Student Senate member Sarah Shaw echoed Volk.

“I have received great support from the other senators,” Shaw said. “If I have a question, someone is always willing to take the time and answer it for me.”

During fall semester’s Student Senate meetings, some members didn’t get involved with the discussion that much.

Lange plans on getting more discussion from more members, both old and new. However, some members may not know as much as other Student Senate members.

“I want to make sure that everyone is equally informed when it comes to legislation this semester, so we have good progressive discussion,” he said. “I think that will help a lot more people be comfortable.”

Being informed throughout the semester is important, since fee increase proposals will be presented this semester.

A few of the issues that Student Senate will look into this year include: smoking on campus, student teaching districts and working with the Charleston City Council to consider extending weekend bar hours to 2 a.m., Lange said.