The Student Senate met Wednesday night and were unable to meet quorum. In order to meet quorum, the senate needs at least 15 senators to meet quorum and only had 14 senators present.

If the senate can’t meet quorum, they are unable to vote and the meeting will be an unofficial meeting.

Thus, the senate could only cover reports, and the Speaker of the Senate elections were delayed to the next meeting.

The Student Government Week starts next week with events Monday through Friday.

The theme of this semester’s student government week is winter wonderland with various events throughout the week.

The Hot Cocoa Café is on Jan. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Union Food Court.

The Student Senate will be at Pantherpalooza Jan. 25 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Grand and University Ballrooms.

A Student Government Informational Booth will be at the Union Food Court on Jan. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pop-a-shot with the Prez is at the MLK Union Bridge Lounge on Jan. 27 from noon to 2 p.m. 

Pop-a-shot with the Prez includes a basketball machine and students will be able to play with University President David Glassman.

The Student Senate will have a trivathon on Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MLK Union Bridge Lounge.

Executive Vice President Payton Ade shared their goals and plans for the semester to work on a virtual suggestions and feedback box, bring a larger student awareness to on-campus problems and work on a student action team focused on the 2022 midterm election.

Ade talked about how one of the ways they were able to be a better representative of the student body was by talking to students, which is what led to the idea of a feedback and suggestions box.

“Last semester, I wanted to promote being a better representative to the student body,” Ade said. “And I think one of the ways that I did that was by talking to students and getting involved.”

Ade also brought up the concern for the student body being unaware of on-campus problems and plans to bring a student awareness to problems.

“I feel like there is a disconnect between the event organizers and the students, and I’m trying to find out where that problem is,” Ade said.

Along with these two goals, Ade also wants to focus on the 2022 midterm elections stressing the importance of this election for university students.

“Honestly the 2020 elections are super important, but the midterm elections are usually more important to us as a university because that’s our governor elections,” Ade said.

Despite not meeting quorum, the senate was still able to meet they’re new graduate assistant working with them Téa Wheat.

Wheat is a transfer from the University of Northern Iowa where she was in the college student affairs program for housing.

Ceci Brinker, director of student life, said Wheat will be a great addition to the staff.

“We welcome Téa; she will be a great addition to our staff,” said Brinker.

Madelyn Kidd can be reached at 581-2812 or mekidd@eiu.edu.