Student Government Association began a new chapter yesterday with the inauguration of nine new senators. The new additions to the senate include several first-year students and representatives from Notre Dame Hall, Griesedieck Hall, the Commuter Student Association, the Saint Louis University School of Law and the College of Arts and Sciences. A committee headed by Administrative Vice President Teresa Gabhart selected the new senators from a large pool of applicants.

Gabhart said the selection process was extremely competitive. The committee considered a large number of highly qualified applicants and had some difficulty in choosing the new senators. Gabhart encouraged all current members not to take their positions for granted, reminding them that there were “many applicants itching for a seat in the Senate.”

A 10th new senator had been chosen, but withdrew his candidacy Tuesday night.

The Committee for Internal Affairs will meet to select a replacement from among the rejected applicants. The candidate will be presented to the Senate next week.

Among the new senators is Kale Uzzle, a freshman representing Notre Dame Hall. Uzzle is concerned about public safety issues and hopes to address the issue of alcohol on campus. Vijay Ravindra, a junior representing commuter students, wants to make commuters more involved on campus. Ravindra would like the Senate to consider establishing a “buddy system” between residents and commuters. Bailey Scheidt, a freshman from Griesedieck Hall, is interested in creating more opportunities for recycling in residence halls. The other new senators are first year students Elizabeth Johnson, Samantha Howard, Sarika Gupta and William Prascher; law school student Michael Heithaus; and Patrick Devney, a sophomore from the College of Arts and Sciences.

In addition to swearing in new senators, SGA also passed a bill officially creating an ad hoc committee for the Billiken Pride Initiative. The committee’s stated purpose is to “combat apathy and instill a sense of spirit and pride among students.”

A provision in the bill also seated Andrew Chappelle as the committee’s chairperson. The bill credited Chappelle as having “worked tirelessly on various elements” of the Billiken Pride Initiative and described him as “an extremely spirited individual.”

Senator Charles Flint, a senior from the Doisy College of Health Sciences, complained that the bill lacked substance. Flint expressed concern that the bill did not include the number of members to sit on the committee. A group of senators attempted to table the bill; the motion was defeated. Details of the committee’s membership will be decided at a meeting next week.

The senate also discussed continuing hurricane relief efforts. As of Wednesday’s meeting, SLU had raised $50,000 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Muslim Student Association produced one half of that sum with their Islamic Relief Dinner last Friday.

Executive Vice President Evan Krauss reminded the senate about the the “Give Me Five” initiative. Envelopes will be distributed in residence halls, faculty offices and the commuter student lounge to raise money for refugees of Hurricane Katrina living in the St. Louis area.