The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate approved Emily De Mers as the next USG Supreme Court chief justice at last night's meeting.

De Mers replaces Taylor Rhodes, who stepped down to associate justice at the Court's Monday meeting after serving as chief justice for 2Ã} years.

Some senators expressed concern about the current Court's openness and approachability while debating whether to approve De Mers, who was appointed by USG President Ian Rosenberger.

Many senators agreed that De Mers would not continue that trend, citing her willingness to consider change.

"Emily is like the right woman at the right time," said Town Sen. Mike Yohannan.

De Mers said she intends to improve the Court's relationship with other USG branches. She added that she plans to attend branch head meetings to open up the lines of communication. "I'm not the past Court. I'm a totally different person. I have a very open mind."

De Mers said she plans to change some Court processes, such as the 20-member requirement for student groups to obtain official club status.

She said her proposed plan would allow student organizations to gain provisional status with 12 members for 20 weeks. In order to gain permanent club status, the organization must obtain 18 members. "Doors are open so wide once you're in provisional status that you should be able to acquire at least six more members," De Mers said.

De Mers also said she plans to streamline the process for applying for official club status by making all of the forms available online.

"It's really ridiculous going into 2004 that people and their organizations have to fill out mountains of paperwork," De Mers said.

The Senate also approved Travis Miller as associate justice after rejecting him at its March 23 meeting.

Town Sen. Alexis Francois said she thinks the Court should advertise open positions in The Daily Collegian. Open USG Senate positions must be advertised in the newspaper, according to USG bylaws. "I voted no to every Court appointment just because I don't like the system," Francois said. "I'm using the one power that I have."

Rosenberger said he believes it is not necessary to advertise positions because the court clerks have the experience needed to be successful associate justices.

Yohannan said some senators are frustrated with the Court's current policies, particularly the body's ability to debate cases in closed session, because there has been a period of distrust.

"I really feel strongly, more than ever, that that period is coming to an end," Yohannan said.