The Associated Students Senate sifted through a variety topics, including a new appointment, the upcoming elections and budgets on Monday, March 24.

T.J. Takahashi resigned from his position as vice-president of programs. In the midst of this loss the senate also welcomed a new member. Cheri McLean was appointed as a senator for sustainability. She will be overseeing a majority of the projects previously headed by Hunter Share, former vice-president of sustainability. McLean has earned five associate’s degrees during her six years at SRJC and is currently earning two more.

The senate also completed a first reading of amendments to the Associated Students’ constitution.  A second reading must be done before anything can be approved. This has left the senate in a time crunch of less than 24 hours because, according to regulations, constitutional amendments must be approved at least 20 days prior to the start of elections. The rule is designed to give students ample time to review the amendments before voting. March 25 marked the deadline before the start of the 20-day countdown since elections are April 21 to April 25.

Program budgets were also discussed during the meeting. In order to encourage student involvement during the elections, the senate hopes to sponsor a voter competition among the SRJC clubs. Considering a budget that is not to exceed $1,750, the idea is to monetarily award the clubs who register the most voters during the elections with a budget increase according to the club’s placement in the competition.

The senate is proposing a budget of no more than $4,000 to pay student ambassadors hired to assist during elections. A budget of no more than $1,000 is being considered to give to Movimeinto Estudianti Chicanista de Atzlan for the support of La Rosa Youth Conference.