Now that election season has wrapped up, I thought I’d detail some things to watch for as we move into the end of the year. It was a hard-fought campaign up and down the ticket, and I can’t be the only one who is glad this is all finally over. As the snow starts to melt and we start making our plans for spring break, here’s what to watch for from NISG for the rest of the semester.
Senate
Though it’s over for me, things are just getting started for the newly elected senate. The senate has several returning senators as well as plenty of new ones, and those senators will get their first taste of action with the transitional senate meetings. These meetings take place before the current senate’s term is up, so there is a little overlap from one year to the next. In these meetings, new senators are briefed on the procedures and rules for writing legislation as well as speaking and debating on the senate floor. Most importantly, senate will elect a speaker to act as their leader and handle behind-the-scenes responsibilities such as putting together the agenda for the meetings as well as presiding over the meetings themselves.
Technically, any student can apply and become speaker, not just senators, but it’s likely that several of those newly elected will be nominated for the position. The speaker will then be elected by a simple majority of the transitional senate.
Scoop: I’ve mentioned before that CHAS Senator Aaron Friel is eyeing the speakership and judging by the number of elected senators that got behind his platform, it’s likely he’ll be speaker next year. Since he has released his platform, he’s already been contacted by people in the Department of Residence regarding the catering policy, so look for the senate to address this in their first few weeks in office.
Cabinet
Appointments
Among the many things that the newly elected Evans-Beard administration will pursue right away is getting people to apply and interview for Cabinet positions. Between the Director of Administration/Finance, Director of Govt. Relations, the Director of Public Relations, and Director of Diversity and Student Life, Katie and Renae have some very, very important personnel decisions to make. Cabinet directors have nearly as many responsibilities as the President and VP, so it’s absolutely critical that Katie and Renae select a team of hardworking students who make the most of their positions.
DOA- This year’s DOA, Carl Reitz, submitted a request to increase NISG’s total budget in the years ahead due to increased student interest and use of NISG funds and resources. The next DOA will want to continue this momentum as well as continue to increase access and availability of NISG funds. There’s a reason that the DOA is paid the most out of all the cabinet positions, so KR’s pick here will be important.
DoGR- Outgoing DoGR Tori Hurst has held the position for two years, so the next DoGR would be wise to learn as much as they can from her while she’s here. Every legislative session has been critical for UNI in an era of being underfunded, but we could be turning the corner. The next DoGR will not only be hyperaware of UNI’s position in Regents funding, but also the continuing relations between NISG and the city of Cedar Falls. Last week’s senate meeting saw an outstanding showing from city officials from the mayor to the fire department. With the new rental ordinance, all eyes will be on the city to see how it affects students. Next year isn’t an election year, but it will be a caucus year, so in addition to maintaining relations at all levels, the DoGR will also be involved with getting students to participate in the caucuses as well as the myriad candidate visits to campus.
DoPR and DDSL- I honestly don’t know much about these positions despite dating a former DoPR, but these two cabinet positions are critical in shaping the priorities that Katie and Renae want to focus on throughout the year. With the implementation of the women’s center being a focus of the campaign, watch for KR to get DDSL involved with those plans.
All nominations for the cabinet have to be approved by the senate, which typically doesn’t involve any drama. However, two years ago after a close election race, Tom and Blake’s nominations for DoGR and DDSL were denied by the senate in a controversial nomination hearing where many feelings were hurt. Barring a controversial choice by KR, expect nominations to go through unhindered.
Election rules
“Wait, election rules again, already?” Well, maybe. Considering that Chief Justice Nathan Davis is returning next year, expect his experience to be a benefit to next year’s elections. Davis has shared with me that he already has ideas for how to improve and clarify some ambiguities within the current rules, and he has also been looking at how other schools administer elections and what might work at UNI. There’s also been talk of extending the election season, but only for senate candidates. The thought process is that the season will start for senate one week earlier than the presidential campaigns. Personally, I think this is a great idea. Giving students more time to get to know about and decide to run for senate is a win-win, and I think it’ll result in more candidates on the ballot, and maybe even contested senate races!
All told, I have had an enjoyable time with the blog, and I hope you have too. It means a lot when people actually read the stuff I write, and it means more when people get involved on campus — particularly in student government. Now that election season is over, make sure to support your representatives and help them out by staying involved. It takes the effort of many to keep the gears turning, and the UNI community needs all the help it can get. With this, my time on the blog has ended. It has been a pleasure, and be sure to tune in next year for the latest in everything NISG elections.
