The new Student Association Senate Speaker, (elected with 21 of 30 votes), Sunday promised to keep an open door to student, senators and NIU organizations.

Senate Speaker Preston Came said communication between the SA senate and executives was lacking last year. “There is no excuse why these two branches should not be working together,” he said.

Came pledged to keep an “open door policy” with all senators who had questions or problems.

To promote even more communication within the senate, Came said he wants to continue holding informal sessions during senate meetings where senators can voice their opinions to the speaker.

Came added he wants to improve communication with students through a program called the Student Arena. The program would allow students to question executive, senate and staff members about their decisions.

The forum would help give the SA a better image with the students who could “feel like the SA is receptive to their needs,” he said.

Came said communication with the Campus Activities Board also needs improvement. He said last year’s relationship was “terrible” and communication is the key to keeping on good terms.

“We should wipe away the bad feelings of the past and forge a new friendly relationship,” he said. SA members already have notice improved relations with CAB compared to last year’s budget fights.

However, Came vowed to cut speeches without prior senate approval to five minutes during senate meetings.