The Student Senate resumed for the first time this month after Student Senate Speaker Jarrod Scherle canceled last week’s meeting because of hazardous weather conditions.

Three of the four resolutions were passed during its weekly meeting.

The senate passed a resolution to co-sponsor the Office of Minority Affairs’ Diversity Conference.

Jessica Klaus, a senior political science, spoke during the Student Senate’s audience participation on behalf of Eastern’s Office of Minority Affairs.

According to its website, the Office of Minority Affairs works to pursue, promote and maintain programs that will heighten the awareness, presence and success of minorities and under-represented groups on the campus of Eastern.

The Minority Affairs’ annual Diversity Conference will take place Feb. 18 with the theme “Diversify Me: Different Experiences, One Vision.”

“(During the conference we will be) talking about religious issues, gay-homosexual (issues), racism, and we are also talking about the ability for students who are in fraternities and sororities to be diversified in their understanding,” said Klaus, a minority affairs intern.

EIUnity, an organization form the Office of Minority Affairs, is responsible for the brown bag lunches and the “Just Say ‘Hi’ EIUnity” buttons around campus, Klaus said. Possible participants must register online by Feb. 17.

The Student Senate also passed the sandwich board resolution that was proposed by Student Senate members to boost student attendance.

“(It would be) good for the student body to know where our meetings are,” said Mary Lane, a senate member.

The Student Senate also passed a resolution for the Illinois Board of Higher Education-Student Advisory Committee conference.

Because the conference was changed from a two-day conference to a one-day conference, the funds for the trip needed to be reduced, said Brad Saribekian, a Student Senate member.

Christy Anderson, the student executive vice president, will be representing Eastern as the university’s voting delegate and Saribekian, a junior accounting major, will be Illinois’ public sector chair at the conference at Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville.

“It’s essential that we have our voices heard (at the conference),” said Zach Samples, a Student Senate member.

Jarrod Scherle, a senior finance major, read a letter of resignation on behalf Joshua Hunt, a former Student Senate member.

Student Body President Michelle Murphy swore in Jenna Mitchell, a sophomore political science major; filling the vacant seat left by Hunt.

The Student Senate approved Rebecca Jakaitis, as the new student government secretary.

Nahder Houshmand, Ryan Lockridge, Libby Brauer and Bobbie Mitchell were also approved to the Election Commission.

The Student Senate meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Arcola-Tuscola Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Nike Ogunbodede can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]