There were cheers from the barbecue outside as Henry Alliger took his seat as speaker of the senate.

Former Government of Student Body senators and officials, including former Finance Director David Boike and former Speaker of the Senate Tony Luken, celebrated their retirement from the governing body just outside the window of the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union by cooking food over two small charcoal grills and watching the leadership of the new senate be chosen.

After a long period of debate, the 2004-05 GSB senate chose its leaders Wednesday, voting Alliger into what some consider one of the most powerful seats available to senators.

Alliger, whose stoicism and strict adherence to parliamentary rules were mentioned to his credit by supporters, will act as speaker of the senate, a seat left vacant by Tony Luken earlier this month.

“I’m just glad to have the opportunity to serve as speaker,” Alliger said of his new office. “This senate has a lot of good ideas, and I can’t wait to see them put into action.”

As speaker of the senate, Alliger will have the ability to set the agenda of GSB meetings, a power that can be used to help or hurt a bill. Public Interest Research Group supporters have claimed the PIRG bill’s position at the end of the agenda last week damaged its chances of success.

Sophia Magill, the recently inaugurated GSB president, approved of the senate’s appointees.

“It’s always interesting to find out how the new senate will vote,” she said. “All who were nominated for the offices will make great contributions to the senate, whether they’re elected or not. Those that were elected, I feel, have a good understanding of GSB and will serve students well.”

Alliger will be assisted in his duties by Shawn Montague, former transportation senator. Montague will assume the role of vice speaker.

“I’m excited, and I look forward to working with the senate and furthering the progress of the former senate,” Montague said.

The senate also chose three of its members to serve on the rules committee, a subdivision of the senate that approves the bills and resolutions before they are placed on the agenda for consideration. James Vogl, LAS senator; Alan Johnson, engineering senator; and Kyle Perkins, business senator, were elected to the post.

The senate also took the time to approve Magill’s cabinet, which included a few holdovers from former president Mike Banasiak’s term. Andrew Tugan, who began his tenure as ex-officio Ames City Council member under Banasiak, will continue with the new administration. Also returning was Angela Groh, who acted as director of government relations under Banasiak.

Other returning faces included Cara Harris, filling the newly created director of leadership development spot, and Sarah Walter, who will serve as director of student diversity.