The student senate filled vacant seats and passed a variety of resolutions Wednesday night at the second meeting of this 108th session.
The senators had a hefty agenda, with 12 pieces of legislation on the calendar, including resolutions about issues such as library hours and classroom environments.
“I think we really have a special group this year,” Vice President Ross Lordo said. “I think they’re going to do some impactful things for the student body ... The fact that they are already thinking about these things a week into the term makes me really excited. I think the student body should be excited as well."
The meeting began with the installation of first-year journalism student Brooke Rakowski as the new senator for the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. This was followed by reports from the senate leadership committees, most of which met for the first time this past week.
Student Body President Michael Parks reported on the opening of applications for this year's executive cabinet and asked senate members to encourage as many people as possible to apply for cabinet to ensure they have the most qualified and passionate members to represent the student body. Parks was also asked about any updates on his traffic charge.
“I’m pleased to inform the members of the 108th student senate that my pending traffic charge that occurred two months ago in January was dropped in traffic court this afternoon,” Parks said.
The Athletics Committee introduced a resolution to welcome Will Muschamp as the 34th head football coach of USC, as well as a resolution to honor first-year business student Adam Hill as Athlete of the Week for March 13. Hill was also named SEC Freshman of the Week. The Athletics Committee hopes to continue recognizing students weekly for their athletic achievements.
Second-year exercise science student Madison Stewart passed her first resolution, which supports the publication of course evaluations online. This would allow students to access information provided by completed course evaluations when choosing classes and would increase university transparency. Stewart also passed a resolution supporting the extension of the Thomas Cooper Library hours during the summer.