Senators at last night's Undergraduate Student Government (USG) meeting began to formulate action resolving issues that have built up throughout the year.

In response to the lack of participation in the current USG elections, senators discussed possible ways of encouraging more candidates to run.

Of the 36 elections packets picked up, only 14 were returned. There are 29 available USG senator positions.

While write-in nominations are an option, head elections commissioner David Gelpi expressed concern for this type of selection. "It's important to have students who care about running," Gelpi said. "Last year's write-in ballots were a joke."

Some senators believed that a possible solution to this issue would be to reopen the application process or to extend the deadline of packets for Senate candidates.

Others felt that this would be unfair to the candidates who turned in their packets on time.

"I don't think we should go back on our word," South Halls Sen. Henry Hund said. "We set a process."

USG Senate President Andy Banducci said another option would be to hold another Senate election in the fall to fill any vacant positions.

"Changing the rules in the middle of the game would be unfair," Banducci said.

The budget has been another increasing issue throughout the year.

"Because of the total lack of fundraising from executive, we are unable to pay Senate members and some elections commissioners," Banducci said.

The Senate would also like to have extra money to account for unforeseen election problems, he said.

The money that is needed will have to be taken out of the executive fundraising budget, which is about $6,000. Banducci estimates the withdrawal to be between $500 and $1,000.