Student government elected a new secretary alongside the approval of two new registered student organizations– the Tarble student advisory committee and the Asian and Pacific Islanders Association.
The vacant secretary role was filled by freshman Damaris Tarrat, a neuroscience major.
The role of secretary is to take notes of the meetings, including motions by members of the senate and on what is reported by committees. The secretary must also take roll for the start of the meeting as well as any vote requiring a role call including approval of emergency senate bills and to adjure the meeting.
The first RSO approved was the Tarble Student Advisory Committee. President of the committee, junior a studio art major James Haddon spoke to the senate.
“We were founded last year in order to advise and sponsor different arts at the Tarble Arts Center,” Haddon said. “Overall, it’s very student centered.”
The organization would hold events that are more student-focused, like painting, art sales and bead making, Haddon said.
“We have an idea to create a recipe book to sell for fundraising,” he said.
The organization will be a place of bonding and learning, according to Haddon.
The Tarble Student Advisory Committee was approved with a vote of 11 in favor with zero opposed and zero abstentions.
The second RSO approved was the Asian and Pacific Islanders Association, also known as the APIA at EIU.
Sophomore interim president Jensen Wong, who’s major is undecided, told the student senate the club would meet on a by-monthly basis.
“Our purpose is to be a place for students and faculty of Asian descent and those interested in Asian and Pacific Islander culture to come together and share their interest and heritage,” Wong said.
They plan on meeting every other Monday at 5 p.m. in the Asian Pacific Islander Hub in Coleman Hall
“We are going to have gatherings where we watch films with AAPI actors and Asian snacks and are planning a trip to the Japan House at the University of Illinois,” Wong said.
The Japan House is a center on the grounds of the University of Illinois that showcases Japanese culture, made up of Japanese tea rooms, class space and surrounded by Japanese gardens, according to its website.
The APIA was approved with 11 votes in favor, zero opposed and zero abstentions.
Alongside the RSOs, upcoming events were discussed, including Java Jams in the Java coffee shop next Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will have two live performers.
Student government will also be marching in front of the Homecoming Parade on Saturday.
The Homecoming Parade will start at 9:30 in the morning at the intersection of Seventh and Lincoln Avenue.
The route heads north on Seventh Street before turning left on Monroe Avenue. The parade then goes left on Sixth Street, takes a right onto Polk Avenue before one final turn onto Division Avenue and heading south to Grant Avenue, finishing at O’Brien Field.
Jason Coulombe can be reached at 581-2812 or at jmcoulombe@eiu.edu.
