The student government had its last meeting of the semester Wednesday.

Student Body President Michelle Murphy conducted the meeting in the place of Speaker of the Senate Jason Sandidge.

Murphy presented the State of the University address and said the senators should always remember that their primary job is to serve Eastern.

“I know that this speech is not intended to be entirely motivational, but I think that some of the people in this room, and maybe some people in the university as a whole, could use a little bit of motivation,” Murphy said.

Sandidge presented the State of the Senate address and said this semester’s senate is the youngest senate that they have seen in many years with many positives and negatives and they have had many long and important debates over the course of the semester.

“It is your job as representatives of the students to work together to better the ideas that you thought were false,” Sandidge said.

Sandidge mentioned proposals had been put down during the semester by senators and the senators, instead, need to branch out to help one another and not separate themselves into their individual committees.

“I want you (senators) to think about why the student government has been called into question this year,” Sandidge said.

Each semester, the student government votes for the Senator of the Semester at its last meeting.

The nominees were senate members Alex Boyd, Roberto Luna, and Zach Samples.

Luna was awarded Senator of the Semester.

“(The award) pushes me to work harder and it is definitely a reward in itself and I will strive to continue to do well,” Luna said.

Mary Lane, internal affairs committee chair, awarded the student government members with paper plate awards ranging from most likely to get dressed in the dark to senate grandpa.

There was also a series of senate goodbyes by the student senate members that are not returning next semester.

Tyson Holder, retiring from his eighth semester as a senate member and awarded senate grandpa, announced his retirement.

“My main purpose tonight is to pass a legacy down that was given to me and I believe that although the names of the many senators with whom I have served have faded away with the passing of time, their ideas and hard work remain an integral part of this organization,” Holder said.

His first piece of advise to the senators was to never let anyone stop them from fulfilling their dreams and how confidence can be acquired over time.

After the new Speaker of the Senate was elected, Sandidge relieved himself from the senate.

“I was really happy to finally be able to speak my mind because as speaker I would remain unbiased at the meetings,” Sandidge said.

Sandidge thanked the student body and said it has been fun to serve as their speaker and without (the student body) none of the senate members would be there.

The bylaw change regarding procedure for senators to approach the Apportionment Board that was introduced at last week’s meeting was motioned to table for next semester.

The proposal regarding funds for the Spring Pantherpalooza was also tabled.

During audience participation, the Director of Housing and Dining Mark Hudson made a presentation regarding the bond revenue results.

This included different future changes with increases and decreases with expenditures and incomes on campus.

The student government will return with its new student senate members next semester.

Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-7942 or rjrodgers@eiu.edu.