Tuesday night was split between familiar and fresh faces in a bittersweet double-header Student Senate meeting.
Outgoing senators gave their last words in the first part of the meeting, and new senators became acquainted with procedures and committees in the second half.
In Elisabeth Chauncey’s farewell speech, she referred to her moments in Senate as some of the most memorable ones of her freshman year.
She gave words of wisdom to those remaining: “People are going to remember you by the person that you are, not the title that you hold or the position that you have.”
Some had sharper words in their goodbye speeches.
In a shrinking caucus, some outgoing Students Party senators said their piece.
Outgoing Sen. Stephanie Kreitzer kicked off public debate with strong sentiments.
“I want you to realize that whether you worked hard for your position or it was handed to you, you all started out the same way,” she said.
At the tail end of the first meeting, Supervisor of Elections Justin Hoover presented the Fall 2013 election results, which were certified by unanimous consent.
Ringing in the second half of the night, UF Supreme Court Chief Justice Marcus Powers swore in the new batch of senators.
Moving forward, the chambers dealt with a shift in higher Senate positions.
After a long career in the Senate, Lauren Verno stepped down from her position as Senate president.
Senate Pro-Tempore Cory Yeffet, the only nomination for Senate president, stepped up to fill her position.
But before exiting the building, Verno made her mark with a few words received by applause.
“The one thing I have learned is to truly make friends,” she said. “I have made friends across party lines. It has made me a person that respects others.”
Elliot Grasso was the sole nomination for the pro-tempore position vacated by Yeffet. Later on, he resigned from his position as allocations chairman.
After a unanimous vote, Powers swore in Yeffet and Grasso.
Members-at-large positions for the Replacement and Agenda committee were next on the agenda to be filled. Christina Chan-Pong and Joselin Padron-Rasines were unrivaled for the first and second seats, respectively.
“It’s a position I won’t take lightly because I know that with my judgement, I get to select the people who will hopefully serve as senators,” Padron-Rasines said after the meeting.
A version of this story ran on page 5 on 10/9/2013 under the headline "Student Senate certifies elections, votes for new leadership"
UF Supreme Court Chief Justice Marcus Powers swears in newly elected senators at Tuesday’s double-header Senate meeting. The Fall 2013 elections results were ratified prior to the second meeting.
