At the Student Senate’s open forum meeting, the vice president of business affairs explained the purpose of planning each of the six goals of University Strategic Plan and how to accomplish each goal.

William Weber, the vice president of business affairs and the strategic planning steering committee chair, said the six goals of the plan are academic excellence, marketing and communication, campus and community life, financial sustainability, emerging technology and global competition and changing demographics.

“The process is a reaffirmation of who we are, a reflections of our accomplishments and recognition of Eastern’s future,” Weber said. “This is our response to that.”

One of the sub-goals within the campus and community goal is to create a symbolic landmark to generate tradition and school pride, according to the plan.

“One of the questions that came up in our discussions was ‘Where is the panther on campus?’” Weber said. “It’s at Marty’s; we’d like to change that.”

Student Senate members asked questions to Weber about the plan concerning technology increases and education on the use of the new technology.

Along with Weber’s report, Student Senate members also passed three proposals concerning the funding of Panther Service Day, which is April 21.

They also tabled the multiple bylaw changes, again, after making a variety of amendments.

Some of the amendments included removing the proposed language concerning the colleges of the Student Senate members, as well as the possible new requirement that they sit by committee.

The budgets of the Student Recreation Center, the Student Government, the University Board and Apportionment Board were all read but were also tabled and will be voted on at the next meeting.

Members of the University Board attended the meeting to answer questions concerning their budget, which would be lower than last year.

Student Body President Ed Hotwagner announced the unofficial election results for Student Government executives and senators.

The contested election for student vice president for student affairs was won by Jenna Mitchell with 275 votes.

Kaci Abolt was elected student body president, Jarrod Scherle was elected for a second term as executive vice president, and Kaylia Eskew was elected vice president for academic affairs.

Prior to the meeting that began at 7 p.m., the Student Senate sponsored a meet and greet session, which was attended by roughly 20 people.

President Bill Perry and Daniel Nadler, vice president for student affairs, were also present at the meeting.

Many of the political science professors offered extra credit to their students who chose to attend the meeting.

Darius Francis, a freshman communication studies major, spoke with Perry prior to meeting and sat with him at the meeting.

“I came for class, as well to see how these meetings work,” Francis said. “President Perry explained how its works and how all the different committees come together and make it happen.”

The Student Senate meets every Wednesday in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Amy Wywialowski can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].