Another shift in the leadership of the Student Government Association took place Wednesday afternoon when senators elected a new president pro tempore.
Zeyne Guzeldereli was selected to replace Chad Griewank in the position, which entails being a mentor for senators and a liason between senators and the executive board.
Both Guzeldereli and Griewank are juniors who campaigned to lead the organization as part of the executive slate Velocity but lost to Alliance in elections in early March.
That loss was reflected in Griewank's farewell speech, where he quoted excerpts of Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go" and expressed his surprise at not winning elections.
"I was sick of people sugar coating everything," Griewank said. "I was sick of the thought that because you're professional or in a leadership position, you have to make stuff sound good. Up until that phone call, I had no doubt in my mind that we were going to win and Alliance had no chance whatsoever."
Griewank said no animosity remains between him and the members of the new slate. During his going out speech, he encouraged senators to be honest and speak up during meetings.
Guzeldereli said much his platform for president pro tempore came from the parts of Velocity's platform that dealt with educating and inspiring senators. Of his seven platform points, he said the most important is implementing a senate mentor program. The new system would pair new or less experienced senators with some of their peers who have spent more time in the organization.
"I just feel that bridging the learning gap is really the first step in getting the senators' feet wet and just making sure that they can start doing things, start making motions and not be afraid to," Guzeldereli said. "The sooner that we can have them retain the knowledge, the sooner we can accomplish things."
Nominations for president pro tempore were made last week during the Senate meeting. On Wednesday, candidates had five minutes to give a brief presentation about what they would do if elected and five minutes to answer questions posed by senators. Then they were voted by paper ballot.
Juniors Alyssa France and Con Sullivan competed against Guzeldereli for the position. All had similar platforms, focusing on increasing senators' unity and better educating senators. France made her presentation with a weak voice after spending part of Tuesday in the hospital because of inflamed tonsils.
"I wish I would have had different circumstances and a better chance of explaining my platform," France said. "But everything happens for a reason. [Guzeldereli] is going to do a great job."
Read More
Rosebud Coffee House: Serving coffee and smiles
By Essence Eaton and Newslink Staff / 8 hours agoLocated on the South Side of Muncie is the Rosebud Coffee House, serving the citizens of Muncie for the last four years.
Viewing party for Sun hosted by Charles W. Brown Planetarium
By Evan Shotts / 16 hours agoThe Charles W. Brown Planetarium to hold a viewing of the Sun outside the Cooper Science Building.
Muncie Public Library receives Impact Grant
By Abby Urban / 17 hours agoAfter receiving a grant one year ago, the Muncie Public Library is finally unveiling it to the public.
