Debate was plentiful at Wednesday night’s Student Senate meeting as a proposed bylaw change to redistrict the senate was tabled.

There are 10 Student Senate members each for the on-campus, off-campus and at-large districts. The proposal would change the number of at-large senate members to 14, while cutting the numbers of on- and off-campus members to eight each.

Bill co-sponsors Carolyn Beck and Kenney Kozik hope the proposal will allow students who are interested in Student Senate the opportunity to participate in it.

“By allowing more at-large senators, it will allow more flexibility in the senate,” Beck said.

The Student Senate speaker job will become easier if the proposal is passed, said supporters. The speaker would not be hard pressed to find interested students if no interest is shown.

“More qualified people will be able to get into open seats,” Kozik said.

Kozik and Beck were adamant that they did not think that any recently appointed senate members were unqualified for their positions.

There was support for the proposal, but there was opposition to it, as well.

“Are there not 10 qualified people off-campus?” asked Student Body President Sean Anderson. “The districts protect the student body.”

There was heavy opposition by the off-campus members.

“I don’t believe there is non-interest in student government,” said senate member Bobbie Mitchell. “It is limiting the voice of my constituents.”

Off-campus issues hardly are heard of in the Student Senate and if the proposal passes off-campus students will be pushed farther away, said senate member Richard Luce.

The proposal will be voted on at Wednesday’s Student Senate meeting but will require a two-third vote to pass.

A possible block of approving Recognized Student Organization status to Tobacco Enthusiasts failed when it could not be removed from the consent agenda.

Some members felt that a RSO supporting tobacco use was not proper, but they were outnumbered as it was left on the consent agenda and overwhelmingly approved.

Additional funds for Homecoming were approved with little debate. The funds for University Board will help cover the costs of additional events, such as sumo wrestling suits, inflatable activities, promotions and to cover the costs of “Saved by the Bell” star Dennis Haskins.

The Student Senate is now full, as graduate student Donna Vitale was appointed to the last open seat.

Student Senate’s next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Arcola-Tuscola Room in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.