Undergraduate Student Government (USG) senators questioned the USG Supreme Court's reasons for going into closed sessions during debates to determine whether to grant student organizations official club status.

During portions of last night's Senate meeting, many senators told Supreme Court members they were unhappy with its frequent use of closed executive sessions, especially when student groups are rejected.

"If they can't see the reasoning and debate behind discussion, how can they understand why they were rejected?" Town Sen. Alec Baker asked Greg Becker, USG President Ian Rosenberger's associate justice appointee.

The Court must approve student organizations before they are given official status. At each Court meeting, an open student forum is held, followed by an executive session, which is closed to both the public and press.

Senators also expressed concern about the Court's "condescending" manner. Town Sen. Mike Yohannan said he has received many complaints from students who feel the Court is "intimidating."

Associate Justices Jennifer Ayer and Dina Ross, who attended the Senate meeting to support Becker's appointment, said the intimidation felt by students could be attributed to the Court's professionalism.

"There is nothing the two of us can do to amend the entire Court," Ayer said.

Ross added that students have never contacted her directly with complaints.

Yohannan also asked Becker if it would be possible to make minutes from closed sessions available to the public.

Becker said although he realizes there are things about the Court's processes that need to be changed, he understands why closed sessions are needed.

"I think we need to maintain a level of privacy within the Court," Becker said.

He pointed out that the Senate often goes into executive session to protect individuals. Becker said the Court must debate whether to approve student organizations in a closed session for similar reasons.

"People who invest a lot of time in a group and then get rejected as a group, it hits home," Becker said.

The court clerk sends a letter to student groups containing the reasoning behind the Court's decision whether the group is approved or rejected, he added.

Town Sen. Janet Moccia asked Becker if he would run the Court like the current Chief Justice Taylor Rhodes if he were appointed to the position in the future.

Becker said he believes the Court's "demeanor" needs to change. He also said he wants to build personal relationships with other USG members and encourage them to get more involved in the Court.

Town Sen. Tara Dulaney said the Court needs someone who is "personable." She said she did not even know the justices who spoke before the Senate to support Becker.

Rosenberger said the Court would be able to "move forward" with Becker's appointment.

"While there will be issues with branches within USG, I think our Court is extremely efficient in the way that it works," he said. "It is run very professionally. I think our people skills need to be improved a little bit."