Three seats on the Student Association Senate were noticeably vacant during Sunday’s meeting.

Elaine Phillips resigned her position as a senator and two other senators, Carl Williams and Elsa Resendiz, were removed from the senate for excessive absences.

Senator Albert Nelson of District 1 spoke on his concerns with how the senate follows absence policy. He said the senate is following some parts of the constitution and bylaws but not others. Speaker Jose Perez said he mentioned on a couple of occasions the senators ability to have their absences removed.

Finance Policy

The Senate unanimously passed changes to the SA finance policy.

Treasurer Aaron Langguth spoke to the senate about the changes to the Student Association Finance policy. In the new policy, the senate has the full authority over the approval of supplemental funding. Previously, it was up to the treasurer.

The new policy also will include fund rollover. Organizations will be allowed to keep unused funds at the end of the fiscal year and any money they make through fund-raising also will become theirs.

Organizations can now appeal discretionary decisions by the treasurer through the senate. Organizations also must submit their annual budget requests on time. For every day the budget is late, the organization’s budget for the same fiscal year will be reduced 5 percent.

Also, whenever possible, Pepsi soft drink products must be purchased when spending any SA funding.

Election

Latoya White, a corporate communication major, was confirmed as executive elections commissioner. The senate also appointed the board of elections. The commissioner and board will oversee the spring executive elections.

Dan Leonard, Sara Goeken, Linet Gomez, Julio Topete, and Chris Lawrence were nominated and appointed to the board of elections. After a tie vote between Leonard and Goeken, Leonard also was appointed as the Board of Elections Chair.

The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, The Young Entrepreneur Association and the sorority Alpha Sigma Omega were all approved as SA organizations.