Associated Students senators spoke about the recent senatorial elections and how to improve future elections, opposing a proposed tuition increase and other items of business at their Tuesday meeting.

They unanimously approved an action item to appoint Samer Habib as Senator for Engineering and Computer Science 1.

Sen. Alex Shahin said, “Today I have official results, with evaluations on how to improve elections as well. All of the Senators will get of copy of both.”

Winners were listed quickly with total votes received and a statement that voting information will be listed as an action item for approval on next week’s agenda.

A.S. senators are also working to oppose the tuition increase proposed for next year. The Board of Trustees has added language to the resolution to express that students cannot afford an increase.

Kristen Johnson from the Geography Department was approved for $500 from the ARRA for the purpose of a Belize Field Course in January.

“This is a Geography field study that is required for graduation. This trip is very important to me, so I am requesting that you please approve the amount of $500 for this trip,” Kristen Johnson said.

The A.S. Senate allocated a total amount of $10,950 from the Unallocated Reserves Account for A.S. Marketing and Public Relations. Six thousand dollars will be used for marketing and public relations and the remaining $4,950 will be used for marketing, Web site development and technology.

A request for $300 from the Unallocated Reserves Account was approved for Poleta Minasian of the Golden Key International Honors Society to travel to the International Laureate Conference on May 18, 2008.

“I was nominated to study about diplomacy in Europe. I am hoping that you can help me by approving the request,” Minasian said. “I will come back to CSUN and share what I have learned. After that, I will be going on to law school.”

The Senate also approved $300 from the ARRA for a thesis project for Judith Saunders of the Department of English.

“I am asking for $300 for my thesis for the purpose of having it translated from German to English,” Judith Saunders said. “If any of you have any questions regarding this, I will be more than happy to answer them for you.”

Another topic of discussion is the ongoing work in regard to student identification cards and the possibility of using them for purchases on campus. Sen. Byron Baba has been working on possible upgrades to current student identification cards, and library cards as well.

Baba has been looking at the cards that are currently being used at UCLA and will have some definitive information by next semester.

Sen. Michael Schlabra announced that there’d be an upcoming contest in which students will be able to design a mascot for the campus. Although the specifics are in the preliminary stage, it’s been established that the contest will be announced for all to participate and the winner will receive a prize. Upon completion, the winning mascot design will be placed at Matador Square.

Lastly, for those that’ll not be traveling out of the Los Angeles area for the Thanksgiving holiday, CSUN will be hosting a Pow-Wow. This is in honor of American Indian Heritage Month.

There’ll be Native American dancers and music for all to enjoy. It will be held on the East Music Lawn on the corner of Nordhoff Street and Lindley Avenue and takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

A.S. President Adam Haverstock announced that the next scheduled California State Student Association meeting would be held in Fresno, Calif. on Jan. 8.

This will be the only meeting that’ll take place during the winter break. Future meetings will be held during the spring semester and the location will be announced accordingly.

Matador Nights will resume during February, although no official date has been set, Sen. Audrey Younna said. There’ll be a space theme, with more details to be announced as February approaches.

S.P.A.C.E. will also be involved in a recycling effort and project for Earth Day in conjunction with the recycling center on campus. This will take place on April 22, 2008.

Sen. Danae Busby said, “There is a new position in the finance committee. If you know of anyone who is interested, please tell them to apply.”

Anyone who might be interested in applying should contact the Associated Student’s Central Office for more information.

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