Equal representation for all Saint Louis University students, no matter where they live. The Student Government Association met to discuss the addition of new seats for the 2000-2001 Senate on Wednesday.

In new business, several bills confirming new seats were approved. Also, SGA President Jay Perry brought forth two bills to amend the SGA Constitution to add seats for both the Language Houses and the O’Brien House.

“It’s a matter of fair representation for all students,” Perry said. “These students deserve the same representation as other students.”

“We have a clause that states for the automatic expulsion of a seat when a building no longer exists,” Perry said. “However, we do not have the same type of clause to automatically add a seat when a new residence hall comes onto campus.”

Senator Matt Love of Parks College said the amendment was necessary. “People live in these places and may have different concerns than a student who lives in the Griesedieck complex,” according to Love.

“The individual residence halls need representation as well,” Love said.

Some senators questioned why each Language House would not receive its own senator. Perry replied that the Language Houses are treated by Residence Life as one complex.

“Just as Walsh and Clemens are not represented separately from Gries, all the houses are treated as one,” Perry said.

Also during new business, the SGA approved seats for the following: Residential Concerns Committee, Nominating Committee, Commuter Concerns Committee, Finance Committee, Committee for Internal Affairs, Academic Affairs Committee and the Task Force for Information Technology Concerns.

During the open forum, Cindy Wehmeyer of Enrollment and Academic Research distributed bookmarks to promote a synopsis of the student assessment. “Take it seriously; you are being heard,” Wehmeyer said.

Wehmeyer also spoke about the Tell Billy web site. The purpose of the web site is for students to submit questions, comments and other concerns about University life as a whole.

The web site should then post a response and also allows other students to place their input about a situation online. “We really are interested in what the students have to say,” Wehmeyer said.

While passing the gavel, Love spoke about the Parks College shortage of flight instructors.

After speaking with the dean of Parks College, Love said, “Hopefully by the end of the year, if not by the end of the semester, all flight students will be caught up on hours.”

Perry reassured the SGA of the cause brought forward from the United Students Against Sweatshops organization. “This is not a dead issue,” Perry said.