As the school year winds down, the newly elected officers of Baker University Student Senate are gearing up for next year by formulating goals and plans that best represent the initiatives of the students.
Junior Patti Greenbaum was elected president of student senate. She said at first she never saw herself becoming the president.
“As I got more involved, I really wanted to have a bigger role,” Greenbaum said.
Her duties will include overseeing the meetings and meeting regularly with Dean of Students Cassy Bailey, University President Pat Long and the Baker University Board of Trustees to discuss concerns of the student body.
“I like the way we can make a change and make a difference,” Greenbaum said. “Our voices can really be heard.”
Greenbaum said she does not expect that her responsibilities as president will interrupt her schoolwork next year. She said most of her general education requirements and major courses are completed.
Junior Shontelle Dixon has been elected vice president.
Dixon will act as the parliamentarian, presiding over all the committees, and is a member of the Provost committee. She also will take the president’s place if Greenbaum is ever unable to fulfill her responsibilities.
Dixon said the senate met Sunday for a meeting and discussed its goals for the upcoming school year. Members are planning a retreat at the beginning of next year.
“The most exciting thing about being on student senate is we get to see new things coming about on campus,” Dixon said.
Junior Andrew Krievins has been elected treasurer.
One of next year’s goals, Krievins said, is to make sure senate uses its entire budget so it doesn’t have to give that money back to the university, where it most likely will not directly benefit students.
Krievins said budget cuts will follow student senate into the next academic year and it will have less money to work with. He wants to be able to spend it as efficiently and responsibly as possible.
“We want to make it as fun and as an enjoyable of an experience as possible,” he said.
