The Undergraduate Student Government committed itself to better representing undergraduates on a university administrative level. The Senate unanimously approved a resolution yesterday to create a committee that will focus on aiding representation in the University Senate.
USG already appoints delegates to the University Senate. This committee, which will meet bi-monthly, will research, organize and write legislation to submit to the University Senate, according to the resolution.
"We want to come in prepared and this is the way to go ... so we're represented when we're there," said Steve Knoepfler, off-campus senator and University Senate liaison.
Nick Marconi, west-campus senator, said the committee is not going to limit itself for resources of potential legislation and is willing to take ideas from anyone.
A temporary operating budget for the summer of $9,450 was approved 39-1-1.
The budget includes: $4,000 for a one-night, two-day retreat for USG members; $1,200 for promotional materials, such as T-shirts and pens; $100 for the Student Involvement Fair; $250 for the a recruitment event for USG interns; $500 for additional Welcome Week activities; $2,200 for Picnic with the Buckeyes, featuring the Columbus Jazz Ensemble; and $1,200 for printing costs of items including a poster of senators to be displayed in residence halls and USG's September and October newsletter.
A resolution was passed to re-establish the tuition commission. This commission, which was created last year, examines the university spending and tuition increases.
According to the resolution, this commission will "ensure that the needs of undergraduates are met and to ensure that our tuition dollars are being spent efficiently."
Nick Benson, speaker of the Senate, said the commission was effective and constructive last year.
Next year senators will be attending freshmen survey courses after a resolution was approved unanimously. Each survey course will be visited by one senator with the intent to provide senatorial contact information and basic information about USG and how freshmen can get involved, according to the resolution.
The Senate also approved an Elections Governance Board director, two Cabinet members and two committee directors.
Liz Ghandakly was approved as EGB director with only one senator abstaining from vote. Ghandakly, when addressing the Senate, said she will work with the EGB reform committee on issues with loopholes in the EGB bylaws and changing policies such as the campaign spending cap and timeline.
She also suggested senatorial debates and more EGB-sponsored events, such as a meet the candidates barbecue.
David Schenz was approved unanimously as the treasurer.
"I want to open up the financial process to the undergraduates as a whole," Schenz said when addressing the Senate.
Other positions approved were: Sabrina Rosentraub was approved 36-6-1 as chief of staff; Kate Christobek was approved 22-3-14 as Intern committee director and Ryan Fournier was approved 41-1-1 as governmental relations committee director.
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