One new cabinet member was elected and three others were confirmed at the Student Association’s second meeting of the year.

“A common thread I’ve seen among these new appointees is that they’re all very dedicated and enthusiastic,” SA President Allie Curtis told the assembly. “They have an immense amount of enthusiasm and positive energy.”

The meeting took place in the Life Sciences Complex. Though it was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., the meeting was delayed half an hour to allow the assembly to reach a quorum, or the number of people required to have a vote.

The four cabinet members filling new positions mentioned initiatives they had in mind, which included diversity issues, creating a Health Services Advisory Board, and improving the relationship between SU and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The assembly also passed a bill allowing startup money for new student organizations.

The cabinet proceedings began with the assembly electing Dan Hernandez as Chair of the Board of Elections and Membership.

Hernandez, a junior English education major, said he wanted to focus on retaining members, and making sure members know what is expected of them.

“I want to make sure everyone is educated and let people know what they can and can’t do,” Hernandez said. “I want to set the proper expectations about rules so candidates have all the info they need, and so we can avoid as much confusion as possible.”

Curtis told the assembly she believed Hernandez would be able to improve on membership, but also foster a community among assembly members.

Taylor Bold, a senior policy studies and economics major, was confirmed as the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.

Bold’s goals for the position included the creation of a minor in Arabic by the University, as well as smaller initiatives such as creating a study space for first-year students.

Curtis said Bold has passion and enthusiasm, which she said are important for pursuing long and daunting initiatives.

After Bold, the assembly confirmed Nia Boles as Chair of the Student Engagement Committee.

Boles is a junior psychology and neuroscience major. One of her main goals, she said, is to focus on diversity issues on campus, including the relationship between SU and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

“SU and ESF share a campus and sometimes [ESF students] don’t feel as at home as they should,” Boles said. “They need to feel just as welcome and just as at home as an SU student.”

The assembly also confirmed Patricia D’Amore, a senior international relations major, as Chair of the Student Life Committee.

In addition to continuing the advisory board with the Department of Public Safety and the Food Advisory Board, D’Amore said she hopes to implement a Health Services Advisory Board this semester.

“They have so much to offer students,” D’Amore said. “I’ve talked with the director of health services, and he’s definitely excited to collaborate with us.”

After voting on each of the four appointees, the committee voted on a bill that established seed funding, or startup money, for newly created student organizations. The bill, which originally allocated $250 in seed funding, was amended to give $500 in seed funds to new organizations. The assembly then passed the bill.

Curtis gave her president’s report at the end of the meeting, which included details from the ACC Presidents Conference. Curtis said the conference focused on national student issues, something SA hasn’t had as much emphasis on.

Said Curtis: “I think that’s the missing component of what truly makes us defenders of the students.”

Published on September 4, 2013 at 1:43 am

Contact Brett: blsamuel@syr.edu | @Brett_Samuels27