The 35th General Assembly of the Saint Louis University Student Government Association held its first meetings for the 2007-2008 school year on Wednesday, Sept. 5.

After the usual call to order, James Veltrie, S.J., stood with the new general assembly and led an opening prayer, requesting divine guidance for what he said was the “most influential voice on campus.”

Two guest speakers, Tom Hanely with Information and Technology Services and new Dean of Students Scott Smith, addressed the senate at the beginning of the meeting.

Hanley informed the representatives of the features of new “mySLU,” previously called “SLU Gateway.”

The assembly also discussed the new Blackboard system. Blackboard has “a lot more usability for teachers passing out content,” Hanley said. “It is all around more reliable . [and] used by more universities.” He finished, saying the use of WebCT would cease by next semester.

Scott Smith, the new dean of students, introduced himself and spoke of his appreciation for the Saint Louis University community in welcoming him. “Community is going to be particularly important to me,” said Smith. “How do we create a community of care?”

Leadership, diversity and keeping students at the center of administrative and academic conversations were some of the concerns voiced by Smith.

“What are you going to learn here to make you leaders in the world?” he asked of the senate in regards to his mission for the student body.

After the introductory speeches, the senate confirmed all membership bills for every committee in a single vote. The committees include Internal Affairs, Finance, Food Services, Constitutional Review, External Affairs, Residential Affairs, Informational Technology, Academic Affairs, Commuter Concerns, Social Justice, Civic Affairs and the Environmental Task Force.

The final bill also passed; it thanked Busch Student Center Manager Chris Grabau, Director of Business and Auxiliary Services Van Vieregge and Vice President of Student Development Kent Porterfield for audiovisual improvements to senate chamber. The improvements include two completely new 50-inch plasma screen television sets mounted to the front of the senate chambers and also general improvements to the audio system.

Clifton then reported his agenda for future meetings. Among his plans for the year are a GLBT resource center, celebrations for the new arena opening and the launch of “SLU Connection,” and a student blog meant to gauge the “pulse of campus.” He also discussed his desire to cultivate a more communal atmosphere in the BSC. Finally, Clifton announced a mishap that occurred over the summer involving the loss of 60 to 70 years of SGA’s electronic files due to a server crash.

In other business, International Student Federation President Shahida Flores reported a “record number” of international students enrolled in the freshman class this year.

Administrative Vice President Priyanka Veerlapati cited minor concerns for the senate attendance policies and reported of the opening of numerous positions. The available senate seats include one medical graduate seat, one business graduate seat, two general graduate seats, one school of arts and sciences seat, one school of public service seat, one Fusz hall seat, one Grand Forest seat, one commuter student seat, one Griesiedieck Hall seat, one Reinert Hall seat, one transfer student seat and four first year student seats. A student can obtain an application for a senate seat outside the SGA office.