Monday’s Student Association senate meeting touched on several subjects, including approval of the budget and, naming the new Senate Speaker, appointing SA directors, funding and senate meeting times.

The budget, proposed by SA Treasurer Karega Harris, was the largest issue of the night. In its approval, the budget allowed five organizations that did not receive funding last year to do so for the 2001-02 school year, Harris said. These organizations include the Greek organizations Interfraternity Council and Pan Hellenic, which will be under the same heading; S.I.S.T.E.R.S., an organization promoting minority participation; VALE, an organization for the Latino community; the African-American Conference and the National Art Education Association.

Harris also announced a fund-raising workshop for up-and-coming organizations. The workshop is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday at the Campus Life Building, Suite 100.

Kevin Miller, former SA director of governmental affairs, was named as the new SA speaker, replacing Gema Gaete-Tapia.

Miller says he prefers this new position, however.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “It allows me to more adequately serve the students.”

With his new appointment, Miller has many things planned for the senate. He said his main objective as the speaker is to fight for student rights. He also plans to reorganize the senate by utilizing all committees in the senate.

Each of four nominees, Miller, Jeff Meyer, Shawn McGady and Mike Brady, presented their views and goals for the senate. After the presentations, the senate participated in a debate over the nominees that lasted almost an hour. Following this, they voted three times in order to determine the speaker.

After Miller’s appointment, some confusion set in. This was a result of senator Chinuotu Omenazu motioning to adjourn the meeting. When the motion was seconded, the senate was forced to vote on whether to adjourn the meeting, despite unfinished business. The senate voted down the motion and continued the meeting.

The senate also appointed SA directors during the meeting. This also brought up some confusion since two directors, Ed Quinn and Sarah Hammer,were not present and Courtney Crawford’s position as SA director of advertising was in question.

Because of this, the senate argued over whether to vote the directors in all at once or individually. After nearly an hour and a half of debate, the senators voted the present directors into their respective positions. The remaining directorial positions will be voted upon at the next meeting, 6 p.m. Sunday.

Senators also voted to change the meetings from the current time, 7 p.m. Mondays, to 6 p.m. Sundays in order to accommodate senators and other organizations and to better serve the students.

Despite some delay and confusion, the overall meeting atmosphere was positive.

“I think this a very productive senate. It’s a very active senate,” Harris said.

Miller agreed.

“We did a lot tonight,” he said. “It shows that the senate is ready for the year.”