DeKALB – The Student Government Association voted on Bill SR56008 which approved Ashley Johnson to become the new Chief of Staff during its meeting Friday.

Johnson argued she would be an effective chief of staff.

“My potential to contribute to this organization spans a number of areas, simultaneous Scholastic Ability, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA for four years has granted access to many different resources and the significance of education, which broadens knowledge,” Johnson said.

Newly-confirmed Student Organizations

SGA passed Bill SR56007 in a vote of 13-1-0 to confirm six new student organizations. The new organizations are as follows: Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate Student Association, NIU Golden Apple, Hispanic Student Nurses Alianza, Renaissance Dance Team, Iranian Cultural and Academic Association.

During a Senator Branch report, President Ja’kobe Jones spoke about student engagement events that have happened during the semester and also an idea to start an initiative called Huskie Pride Night.

“During the first week of September, SGA had a strong presence during the Student Involvement Fair,” Jones said. ”I want to collaborate with CAB (Campus Activities Board) to create something that I would like to call Huskie Pride Night. This would essentially be two to three events throughout the semester that SGA will highlight and incentivize students for attending. We would like to not only support CAB events, but athletic events as well.”

A hearing of a Bill to simplify the process of an organization recognition 

SGA discussed bill SB56004, which aims to simplify the process for student organizations to be recognized.

Manny Corpuz, speaker of the Senate, talked about why the bill is needed and how it can help student organizations.

“[It] streamlines the process by essentially foregoing full Senate approval,” Corpuz said. “The rationale comes from discussion with a member of student involvement and just the fact that we need to have more simple process of having a more streamlined section,” Corpuz said.

The bill will be voted on at the next SGA meeting.

A Bill to appoint a new Deputy Treasurer.

SGA passed bill SR56009, which would place Nicholas Lazaric, a junior finance major, as deputy treasurer.

Lazaric talked about his qualifications as to why he’d be a good treasurer.

“I’ve been a senator for the past year. Finance student junior here at NIU, very involved in finance as well as college business,” Lazaric said. “I really (have) strong skills in finance, working with Excel, working with other people, working with teams on projects as well,” Lazaric said.

Lazaric said he’s excited to work on the budget.

“I’m really looking forward to just kind of expanding my kind of skill set and being able to kind of put that, put my skills to the test and put it on practice,” Lazaric said.

SGA senate meetings are open to the public and held at 4 p.m. Fridays, with locations posted in the senate’s agendas. SGA minutes and intent-to-speak forms are available on Huskie Hub.