The Student Government Senate approved seven fiscal requests, appointed two associate justices and heard the thanks and goodbyes of current Student Body President John Barnes and Vice President Mike Saathoff in a meeting April 14.

Saathoff was first to speak, walking down the steps of the Senate Chambers boasting, “Well, it’s my last time coming up here.”

Overall, both his and Barnes’ executive reports sought to thank, praise and say goodbye to the organization they’d worked in as students for years. And both reports ended in senators, advisors and newcomers alike standing in applause for the pair.

“I appreciate every one of you all [senators],” Saathoff said. “Teamwork makes a dream work.”

Barnes praised the senators’ professionalism during the meeting, remarking that he was glad they sparked healthy debate without political interruption. He continued on to praise the Yellow Party victors, President-elect Sitou Byll-Cataria and Vice President-elect Giovannie Medina.

“Students wanted something different [with the Yellow Party],” Barnes said. “And I don’t know these guys well enough, but I will get to know them within the next few weeks … and I do know they are full of passion.”

Barnes ended his thanks with his vice president, commending his hard work.

“You know, Mike fought for that flagpole out there [in front of the Student Union],” he said. “Every time I walk by that flag, I think of him.”

It was hugs all around for the next few minutes with the sound of the senate’s standing ovation through the chamber. The first person of many Barnes embraced: Saathoff.

Among the fiscal requests:

The senate extended the executive transition period; rather than the new administration being sworn in at a specific time in April, they will be sworn in within 15 business days of the last elections complaint resolution.

The senate amended Title VIII: the Finance Code, in which $100,000 in carry forward and any other additional funding can be put into Special Requests. The amendment raised this amount to $150,000.

After much debate over the importance of funding individual students rather than student organizations, the senate approved $780 in registration fees for four students to attend, perform and/or compete at the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Tuscon, AZ.

The senate also approved $1,650 for six students’ airfare to compete in the Students in Free Enterprise National Competition in Minneapolis.

Another six students from the Economics Society will be traveling to Washington D.C. due to the senate’s approval of $2,393 in lodging and airfare expenses. The students will be visiting many famous national monuments to bring back economical knowledge to present to incoming economics students.

Among the appointments:

Ryan Daniello, senior, president of the Mock Trial Organization
Appointed to Associate Justice

Bennett Smith, freshman, member of Kappa Alpha Order
Appointed to Associate Justice