The 36th Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate promised to "vigorously work toward the betterment of student life" and elected their leaders at its first meeting last night.
Town Hall Sen. Andy Banducci was elected to be Senate president.
"I want to facilitate debate and discussion and make sure everyone's ideas are heard," he said.
Town Sen. Richard Pastena said Banducci's ideas and leadership style will make him a natural fit for the job.
Banducci said he plans to make sure there is more lobbying not only in Harrisburg, but at Old Main, as well.
North Halls Sen. Alex Ibrahim was chosen to be Senate vice president, which monitors senator's attendance, office hours and Senate staff members.
Ibrahim said Senate staffers -- students who volunteer to help the senators -- have been traditionally overlooked and he plans to have a more comprehensive program to encourage them.
East Halls Sen. Samantha Rubinton said that as a Senate staffer last semester, Ibrahim would constantly work to make her feel welcome in USG.
The Senators also elected South Halls Sen. Brock Coleman to be internal affairs chair.
Coleman and an 11-member committee will vote on the constitutionality of potential legislation.
"This position would give me a great opportunity to get to know what's going on," he said. "I will make sure everything we do benefits the student body."
Town Sen. Vicky Cangelosi will continue as the governmental relations chair.
She plans to involve the Senate in two to three lobbying trips each semester and also concentrate on lobbying in the local area.
The other Senate committees that gained new leadership were the student services committee and the operations committee, which will be chaired respectively by Town Sen. Ron Capurso and Town Sen. Mikhail Hutton.
Senators were also chosen to act as liaisons to other student groups, including USG Supreme Court, the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments and Academic Assembly.
USG President Galen Foulke said he looks forward to working with the new senators.
