Mason Tegeler was selected as the newest vice president of student affairs at Wednesday’s student government meeting alongside the signing of a proposal to the university to make election days EIU holidays.

In last week’s meeting, VPSA candidates gave their platform statements to the senate. Student Body President Taylor Cloud took those and senate feedback to make a final decision to be voted on by the senate. 

“He has a very strong presence,” Cloud said. “He is very well spoken and prepared. He has multiple plans that he wants to do, which I would be interested to see happen.” 

Tegeler received 11 votes in favor of his approval, giving him the two-thirds majority he needs to assume the position of VPSA. No votes were cast in opposition, but two senators abstained from voting. 

The student senate approved a resolution which asks the university to observe the election days for the presidential mid-term and state-wide as university holidays starting in the 2026-27 academic year. Students would be allowed to apply for an excused absence to be able and go vote.  

“The way I intended it to be was as if were like a medical excused absence,” senator and author of the resolution Preston Siewert told the senate. 

The resolution cited Eastern Illinois University institution research of the student body as reasoning which included distance and students from marginalized groups.  

“50% of EIU’s student body is from a county that is more than an hour away,” the resolution read. “Over one-third of EIU’s student are from a marginalized community.” 

Tegeler proposed some amending to the resolution.  

“We ask that the university consider making election day a holiday that is recognized in the same way that a holiday like Labor Day is,” Tegeler said. 

The bill passed with eight votes in favor, with two votes against and three abstentions. 

Alongside Tegeler’s appointment and the resolution, the student senate approved three RSOs at its weekly meeting on Wednesday. 

The National Society of Leadership and Success at EIU was approved by the student senate.

“We’re here to assist college students,” said RSO president Ariana Alex. “We are here to help students find their passion and purpose.” 

The NSLS has over 800 chapters across the country with over two million members 

The main goal of the RSO is to provide community service 

“We would like to have fundraising week, community service week and small business experience week,” Alex said. 

The NSLS also provides business opportunities to its members through internships and networking, according to Alex. 

The RSO was approved with 12 in favor with zero votes against and one abstention. 

Also approved was campus ministry international, an RSO is based on social and spiritual connection. 

“The purpose of our organization is social connection with each other, a spiritual connection with Jesus,” RSO president Francis Li said to the senate.  

The group will also plan various events throughout the year, including meetings and trips and provide help in the local community. 

“One of the things we are thinking of doing is collecting food for the homeless,” Li said. The RSO was approved with nine in favor, one against and three abstaining. 

The student senate approved the EIU film appreciation club as well. 

“We aim to open up a discussion for film and create a place where people feel comfortable, passionate for cinema,” club president Jessica Bailey said.  

Discussions would consist of history and thoughts on the film. 

“We would talk about the history of the film beforehand and afterwards it would be whatever struck the members and what they found interesting,” Bailey said. 

The club was well liked by many of the senate’s members. 

“I think it would be a good club to have,” Cloud said. “It would give students that enjoy watching films a chance to take a break in their studies.”

Senator Sam Erwin echoed similar thoughts. 

“Discussion is a good place to get to know your peers and find new people,” Erwin said. 

The EIU film appreciation club was approved with 12 in favor, zero opposed and zero abstentions. 

Jason Coulombe can be reached at 581-2812 or at jmcoulombe@eiu.edu.