By Jacob Solis

LEGISLATION

Sen. Thomas Green, College of Education, resigns

Sen. Thomas Green of the College of Education officially resigned from the Associated Students of the University of Nevada Senate on Wednesday. First elected to the senate in 2014, Green was one of two senators who’ve had their seats for two years, the other being Speaker of the Senate Nick Andrew. Green left because he wanted to “avoid violating university policy,” but he will finish what projects he started in ASUN, according to his resignation letter.

The senate has pledged to appoint a replacement for Green, though the number of weeks left for a senator to serve in the 83rd session is dwindling. Green’s departure adds to the list of open senate seats, which includes spots in the Division of Health Sciences and the College of Engineering, though the application period for any aspiring senators in those colleges has now closed.

APPOINTMENTS

Sen. Loera elected chair of the Committee on University Affairs

To fill the void left by Sen. Green, who was the chair of the Committee on University Affairs, the senate unanimously elected Sen. Ashley Loera of the College of Liberal Arts as the new chair. Sens. Alex Crupi, College of Engineering, and Austin Mathias, Division of Health Sciences, also ran for the top spot on the committee.

The senate elected Loera largely because the senators saw her intentions as professional, as opposed to the perceived electoral motivations of Crupi and Mathias. Crupi is currently running for re-election while Mathias is running for ASUN vice president.

LEGISLATION

Eight bills passed by senate in busy meeting

It was a busy day for legislation as the senate passed eight different bills and resolutions. Some bills were largely procedural. This includes four bills that shifted money for the executive board, the Center for Student Engagement, The Wolf Shop and Insight Magazine, respectively.

Two other pieces of legislation were focused on campus safety. One bill aimed at putting flashing lights at the crosswalk on Sierra Street, between Nye Circle and College Drive. While most senators spoke positively of the bill, ASUN President Caden Fabbi cautioned that the project may be made difficult because any addition of lights would involve the City of Reno. Fabbi had previously worked on a similar proposal that eventually hit bureaucratic stumbling blocks.

A second bill advocated for an increase in the number of Blue Light security systems on campus.

The final two pieces of legislation were resolutions in support of two bills working their way through Capitol Hill. One is focused on increasing access to federal Pell Grants while the other aims to assist veterans with families.

All of the legislation was passed unanimously.

Jacob Solis can be reached at jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @TheSagebrush.