Political bias and knowledge of the bylaws were brought up while seating students at Wednesday’s Student Government meeting. 

While Ellie Hughes, a sophomore majoring in event management, and Adrian Kosztya, a freshman majoring in materials engineering, were seated at the election commission without opposition during the meeting, Kosztya’s opening remarks sparked debate. 

“My interest for the political process has grown over the course of this [U.S.] presidency,” Kosztya said during his opening remarks. “Some things I don’t like, some things I really don’t like. I often engage in politics on social media. If you know HasanAbi, I really like to watch him. I want to be involved [politically], even if it’s just on campus, like a local level.” 

Sen. Brody Kuhse, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, questioned the unbiasedness of the nominees following their opening remarks. 

“It’s my understanding that this body is nonpartisan. So how will you keep any partisan biases out of the conversation?” Kuhse said. 

“When performing my tasks, in order to keep partisan bias out of it, I will strictly follow what I am told to do and what I’m asked of in order to avoid bias. I will consult with multiple members and multiple people for their opinions and not solely base my decisions on my own opinions,” Kosztya said. 

Sen. Quinn Margrett, a senior majoring in business economics, additionally asked the nominees if they had read over the Student Government Bylaws and the election code – they both admitted to not having read either. 

Jackson Sperry, a junior majoring in public relations, was also confirmed to the election commission with no opposition in a separate bill, but stated he had looked over the election code. 

Elijah Heckert, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, was confirmed to the Student Government Supreme Court, but not without opposition, with a vote of 14-3-7. 

Margrett also asked Heckert if he had familiarized himself with the bylaws and constitution, to which he replied no. Heckert does, however, have political experience through his high school student council. 

During closing remarks, Vice President Will Vlasek, a senior majoring in agricultural systems technology, reminded the senate of what it means to abstain from a vote. 

“I’d just like a reminder for everybody on some procedure that is denoted within our bylaws,” Vlasek said. “In [abstention], typically within parliamentary procedure, it lowers the vote thresholds to reach majority. But within our bylaws, it’s denoted differently. It keeps the threshold the same and essentially counts against the bill. So just as a reminder, abstain doesn’t remove you from the votes, it just counts very similarly to a ‘no.’” 

The following external matters were passed with no opposition in a roll-call vote. 

• $550 in funding to the Motion Sickness Dance Team
• Reactivating the Women’s Hockey debt contract for a total of $2,514.52, paid over the span of five semesters 

The following internal matters were passed unanimously in a placard vote. 

• Lucky Onyekwelu-Udoka, a graduate student in computer engineering, sat as a graduate student senator 
• Owen Einwalter, a freshman majoring in undeclared engineering, sat as a residence hall senator  
• Claire Hosch, a senior majoring in political science, sat as clerk of the Senate 
• Elijah Heckert, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, was confirmed as a nominee to the Supreme Court 
• Ellie Hughes, a sophomore majoring in event management and Adrian Kosztya, a freshman majoring in materials engineering, were confirmed to the election commission 
• Kennedy Nelson, a junior majoring in agricultural studies, sat as an at-large on the local affairs committee

The following bills were read and will be discussed and voted on in a future meeting. 

• Funding the Collegiate Cattlemen 
• Funding for the Archery Club at Iowa State University 
• Funding the Disc Golf Club 
• Funding the African Student Association 
• Student Government participates in homecoming 

Before the next Senate meeting will be the joint Student Government and Ames City Council meeting at 5 p.m. in the Sun Room. The Senate will meet immediately following.