Xavier’s Student Government Association (SGA) is excited and hopeful for the 2011-12 academic year, despite the recent resignations from student senate and a lack of election interest during the spring semester of 2011. Traditionally, at this point in the school year, SGA’s student senate is composed of 16 upperclass students and awaiting four freshman to fill the remaining spots on the student board.
This year’s senate board, however, is currently composed of 14 upperclass students as two students
have recently resigned from their positions. Senior Tim McGrath, an elected write-in candidate during the abnormal spring election, when 16 senators were eligible for 17 spots, resigned during the summer months because of personal reasons, as McGrath said in an e-mail correspondance. Junior and third-term senator Jimmy Geiser resigned during the Senate meeting on Monday, as he said in his resignation that he is in the beginning process of founding a student-run business this upcoming year. Geiser was the acting chair of the Senate’s Student Life committee. Regardless of the abnormal situation that the student senate is in, Senate Coordinator junior Brock McMorran is hopeful for the upcoming school year as it brings incoming vacancy and freshman applicants for the vacant Senate positions. “We have a lot of confidence in the freshmindedness of everybody,” McMorran said. In response to what type of students McMorran is looking for with the “fresh” new senators, McMorran said, “a lot of drive and committment to everything.” “This is something good that happens to us. If people don’t want to do it, they shouldn’t be here, but [instead] give the people who do the opportunity to do so and succeed,” McMorran said. SGA has in fact recieved more positive precursors with the upcoming freshmen elections and vacancy appointments as 37 first year applications have been
picked up and 20 plus vacancy applications were taken during the past two weeks. Upperclassmen vacancies will be filled by Sept. 9; Senate’s next scheduled weekly meeting and freshmen elections are on Sept. 28 and 29.