The senators of the 36th session of the Student Association Senate were sworn in Sunday night at the first SA meeting of the year.

The meeting began with the administering of the oath of office for the senators and the welcoming of the 36 newly elected senate members by SA Associate Justice Kevin Miller.

“We are looking forward to this being a productive year,” said SA Senate Speaker Andrew Nelms.

SA Treasurer DuJuan Smith gave the new members words of encouragement during his finance committee report.

“I have been a member of the senate for the last three years, and I once was a little scared about the importance of my job as a senator,” Smith said.

The meeting also was a way for the new senators to meet the directors of various SA offices and learn their aspirations for the new year.

“It is my obligation to keep NIU culturally diverse and get more students involved with the different cultures on NIU’s campus,” said Rachel Powe, SA director of Cultural Affairs.

Directors of Academic Affairs, NIU Transportation, Athletics and Recreation, Greek Affairs and Student Life, all introduced themselves to the senate at the meeting.

The senate did not have any official business aside from the swearing in of the new senators and will start considering legislation at next Sunday’s meeting.

Four vacant seats remain following Wednesday’s SA senator election results. Interested students must attend one senate meeting prior to pursuing one of the empty seats.

The senate holds meetings at 6 p.m. every Sunday in the Holmes Student Center’s Clara Sperling Skyroom.

The SA is responsible for recognizing new student organizations, drafts and adopts legislation that affects the campus and controls nearly $2 million in student fees.