The student senate has its first meeting of the semester at 7 p.m. today in the Arcola/Tuscola Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Senate members will vote on the approval of Jason Sandidge, former chair of the university development and recycling committee, as the student government parliamentarian.

If elected, Sandidge will be responsible for assisting the speaker of the senate, his older brother Isaac Sandidge, in understanding and employing parliamentary procedure, rules and regulations, should the need arise.

“I would work as the speaker’s right-hand-man so the meeting can go along accordingly,” Jason Sandidge said. “I’m looking forward to it. I wanted to sit at the head table, and I plan on running for speaker again at the end of the semester. I’m hoping this position will give me a little more edge and get my foot in the door.”

The vote will be followed by another to approve former student senate member Kristina Bailey to the senate.

Erica Whelan can be reached at 581-7942 or elwhelan@eiu.edu.