Almost two-thirds of the Student Senate seats are open for elections that will begin Nov. 14 and end Nov. 15.

The terms of 17 of the 30 student senate members expire at the end of this semester, 12 of which were appointed this semester and five who were appointed in spring 2011.

Roberto Luna, a senior finance major and student senate member, is one of the 17 members whose term is expiring.

Luna said he is reapplying for a few different reasons, including to try and continue developing certain programs such as the Bond Revenue Committee.

“I am also interested to be re-elected to the (Student) Senate because this is my last year and I want to help the students through student government one last time,” Luna said. “I feel like I have gained a lot of experience by being on student government and I hope to end on a positive note.”

The student senate election process consists of acquiring 50 student signatures on a petition and applicants must have a 2.25 GPA and be in good disciplinary standing with the university.

The petitions are due at 4 p.m. on Thursday to the Student Activities Center.

Kaci Abolt, the student vice president for student affairs and a junior communication studies major, said she hopes to see a diverse student senate next semester.

“I am hoping we will have returning senators, but it is also nice to see new faces and have new ideas,” Abolt said.

A candidate meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m., on Friday and online voting begins Nov. 14.

Student Body President Ed Hotwagner, a senior mathematics major, said the elections committee reviews all of the applications and applicants must follow campaign rules.

“Marketing such as posters must have the official university stamp and can only be placed in bulletin boards that are university approved such as in campus buildings and residence halls,” Hotwagner said.

The Student Senate will meet at 7 p.m. today in the Arcola-Tuscola Room in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Two proposals are included on the Student Senate agenda.

Abolt authored the proposal for spring Pantherpalooza marketing.

The proposal is for about $130, she said.

“I am asking for one display case that will be located outside of the (University) Food Court and two laminated sandwich boards,” Abolt said.

The sandwich boards are double-sided and would be located under the Bridge Lounge of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union and between the Union and the McAfee Gym.

The other proposal is for traveling expenses to the Illinois Board of Higher Education Student Advisory Committee in Palatine, Ill.

Hotwagner said it is about a four-hour drive so the proposal is mostly to pay for gas.

              Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].