Saint Louis University has a new opportunity for campus involvement, and Student Government Association has a new election commissioner. During a quick midterm-week meeting yesterday, the Senate added Daughters of Isabella to the rolls of chartered student organizations and confirmed Thiago Takahashi as commissioner.
The Senate unanimously approved Daughters of Isabella as a chartered student organization. An international Catholic women’s association, Daughters of Isabella is the sister group of the Knights of Columbus. SLU’s new chapter has some 20 members who are already engaged in a variety of charitable and religious activities.
“We are involved in service work with the Little Sisters of the Poor, and we pray the rosary every week in Marguerite Hall. We are also planning a retreat,” said Katy Willis, regent of SLU’s chapter.
Daughters of Isabella has been on probation since last year.
Vice President Evan Krauss explained that probation is a four-month period during which new student groups must prove they would be viable chartered organizations.
The Senate also approved the appointment of Thiago Takahashi as election commissioner. Takahashi, a former SGA senator, will be responsible for the impartial and efficient administration of elections.
“As election commissioner, I want to assure that election season goes as smoothly and as fairly as possible. We will establish a committee of unbiased student leaders who will work collectively to achieve this goal,” Takahashi said.
Per SGA bylaws, President Cari Johns selected Takahashi from a pool of former senators. Johns explained that she believed that Takahashi was best qualified for the position, citing his extensive knowledge of the election process.
“I nominated Thiago because he is highly involved on campus and, due to his previous experience, he knows the system and understands what the job requires. He is unbiased and highly professional,” Johns said.
The Senate also recognized Chris Pingel, a sophomore representing Marguerite Hall and Notre Dame Hall, as Senator of the Month. Senator Jeff Bigner and Senator Christine Campbell presented Pingel with a commemorative plaque and heaped him with praises.
Bigner and Campbell cited examples of Pingel’s work ethic and initiative and explained that the award was intended to encourage excellence among senators.
“[The Senator of the Month Award] is not to recognize one person but to motivate everyone to strive to be that one person,” Bigner said.
