The parliamentarian's seat at Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate meetings was filled last night.

Stephen Damadeo was appointed temporary parliamentarian for the remainder of the fall semester by Senate President Bridget Van Osten and was unanimously approved by Senate.

A parliamentarian advises the members of Senate on parliamentary procedure both during and outside of meetings. The position has been empty during Senate meetings this semester because the originally appointed parliamentarian, Matt Midles, was unable to attend meetings.

"We just wanted to handle the situation as soon as possible," Van Osten said.

There was no debate or voice of concerns surrounding the appointment, except from Jim Flook, Senate staff coordinator.

During the open student forum portion of the meeting, Flook read a speech criticizing the manner in which Van Osten chose the sit-in parliamentarian.

Along with Midles, Flook submitted an application to be parliamentarian last year to Van Osten, who was overseeing the application process. When Midles could not attend meetings this semester due to a class conflict, Flook told Van Osten he was willing to step in and fill the position.

Van Osten said earlier this semester only one person had applied to fill in for Midles during Senate meetings, but would not name the individual. The unnamed person had a possible conflict of interest, Van Osten said.

Since Flook was the only person who applied for the position before it was filled by Damadeo, he assumed he was that person.

"This is a part of what I don't understand," Flook said. "None of them [concerned senators] were mature enough to come to me and discuss possible conflicts. I would strongly disagree."

An interview for the position was never conducted between Flook and Van Osten. Flook said he was never notified whether he was chosen for the position or not.

The parliamentarian has no ability to influence discussion, so there is no room for a conflict of interest, he added.

Students must apply for the position of parliamentarian, Flook said. However, Damadeo said he did not apply for the position.

"We decided that it would be better that I didn't apply," Damadeo said.

Van Osten said Flook was overlooked because he already had a direct role in Senate as staff coordinator.

Damadeo is the business director for USG. As the business director, he handles all funding events and programs.

Flook served as parliamentarian for two months last year.

Collegian Staff Writer Nicholas Kershbaumer contributed to this story.