May 5, 1997

Senators proud of past year's legislative efforts and successes

By Matt Pitcher

tudent Senate leaders said they were pleased with their accomplishments this year, including the establishment of a fall break, beer sales on both sides of the Cotton Bowl, increased communication with students, a more student-friendly election and a more personalized appropriations process.

Next year's leaders said they look forward to getting started on issues that are important to students and adding to the accomplishments of this year's Senate.

"There were better communications with the student body this year," Rob Johnson, outgoing Students' Association president, said.

"The feedback we got from students through surveys played a critical role in the establishment of a fall break, for instance."

Johnson said more students were interested in participating in Senate this year than in the past.

"Senate was more relaxed with an attitude of let's do what's best for the students and let's have fun doing it," he said.

Johnson said trying to bring a pub on campus was his own personal project and did not agree with the decision to ban strippers on campus.

"I was upset with this decision, not because I am pro-stripper, but because I am always in favor of a student's right to expression, especially when dealing with an issue that is legal and accepted in society," he said. "Why should students take away the rights of students that are guaranteed by society as a whole?"

Johnson even stripped at Senate's last meeting Tuesday to demonstrate his right to do so before the provision to ban strippers on campus will be legally implemented in next year's Student Code of Conduct.

"I hope that I have been a constant voice for the students," he said. "I have tried to stand up for the rights of students no matter how unpopular it is with the faculty and administration. I want to be remembered as a fighter for the students."

"I am proud to have served the university in this capacity and hope that when I look back at SMU in a couple of years, I will find that SMU has become a better institution than when I first arrived."

Chad Wetzel, this year's vice president and the incoming Students' Association president, said he was proud of Senate's responsiveness to students and said he hopes to extend the progress made by this year's Senate.

Wetzel said he plans to focus on better food services, larger amounts of Student Senate scholarships, student representation on the search committees for new deans and increased Senate communication with students.

"While I am not limiting myself to these four, I promise that a significant amount of work will be done on each of these items," Wetzel said.

Ready for next year, Wetzel took a moment to express his thanks.

"I cannot wait for next year and am appreciative to everyone who gave us the chance to lead."

Alison Ream, this year's appropriations chair, who was inaugurated Thursday as the upcoming Students' Association vice president, said one of the greatest achievements of this year's Senate was the high number of bills passed.

"Whether these bills were monetary or mainly legislation, senators took an active stand in attempting to combat some of the issues and needs on this campus," Ream said. "From an appropriations perspective, I am proud of my committee and the time and effort they took during budget deliberations and the weekly appropriations process."

"I believe a number of student organizations have a greater understanding of the process and the avenues to get funding," Ream said. "The process has become more personal, and it needs to. We are spending student money."

Ream said she hopes to have a strong working relationship with senators and chairs next year as vice president.

"I hope to emphasize the importance of representing the needs of constituencies and affiliate organizations," she said.

"Hopefully, we can get more participation from the student body in Senate. The senators are the voice of the students and this voice needs to be heard in the Senate forum."

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