Eastern Illinois University has over 10,000 students attending its classes. All of them have a say in what affects them on campus, thanks to the Student Senate.

The Student Senate acts as the representative of the students on campus and for the university.

Student Senate is responsible for many student-related affairs, among which include suggesting new events and activities for the student body and approving any fees the university wants to add to students’ bill.

The Student Senate also approves all registered student organizations and investigates whether their membership qualifies for university funding.

Student Senate passes legislation much like the U.S. Congress. It meets once a week to view and approve legislation concerning Eastern’s students. If any discussed legislation passes, then the student body president can sign it or veto it. A veto can be overturned by a two-third vote.

The student body elects all student senators and executive the spring before the current semester. Last year, students from the Student United Party (SUP) were elected to fill all the executive branch positions for Eastern’s 2007-2008 school year.

This year’s student body president is Cole Rogers, a senior social science studies major, and the student executive vice president is Levi Bulgar, a senior psychology and political science major.

Bulgar said that the SUP party aims to represent as many students on campus as possible from its varying membership from all corners of the university.

“I want to increase the voting student population on campus,” Bulgar said. “We tell the students what the importance of voting is and we give them the information necessary to make a difference.”

In the last student senate executive office elections in April 2007, the SUP party ran unopposed in all positions except for student body executive vice president. Bulgar, who won the election in that position, thinks the lack of competition in other areas should encourage students to get involved.

“If there are any students who are mad about having one party, I encourage them to get involved,” he said. “I want to see more competition, but I also want to see more students getting involved and asking questions.”

According to the Student Government

Constitution, students’ way of influencing what affects them, as well as how their rights are protected and enforced, are through the Student Senate.

Student Senate is but a small part of Student Government, but is aware Student Government Web site has not been updated.

As a part of overseeing all policy that affects students, Student Senate also appoints members to be a part of all committees and boards across campus, including University Board, in the attempt to keep students’ interests and rights at heart.

Student Senate meets at 7 p.m. every Wednesday in the Arcola/Tuscola Room in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.