NC State Student Senate’s 106th session kicked off with nominations for the Student Senate Pro Tempore position. Responsibilities assigned to this position include: standing in for the Student Senate President, serving as Chair for the Committee of the Whole Senate and the All Chairs Council and reporting Student Senate activities to the Faculty and Staff Senates. Senator Caleb Garcia nominated Senator Judson Avery, who won the position.

Speeches

Senator Avery opened his speech by declaring his three commitments to the Student Senate, starting with his promise to be a friend. ”I want to be open and create a good environment for good work to come out of the Senate. I think [if] we stick together, we can really do some good work,” he said.

Another promise he made was to be a teacher. “I like to think I’ve written a decent amount of bills. I’ve proxied on every committee, I’ve signed on all chairs. I’ve been to Faculty and Staff Senates. And I think through that experience, I can hopefully help teach you all how to do a lot of things you have to do at the Senate and prepare you for higher leadership goals,” Avery said.

And his final commitment was to be an advocate for the student senators when it comes to the Association of Student Governments. “I will promise you that I will be your most fervent advocate, and I will find a solution if you come to me with a problem.”

Afterwards, Senator Sydney Hayes opened her speech with a personal anecdote. “I felt very out of place, and I felt like I didn’t have a community,” she said. “But that’s exactly why I want to be Pro Temp[ore]. I want to advocate, and I want every single one of you new senators, old senators … I want everybody to know that I am a person that you can speak to.”

Senator Hayes emphasized the learning opportunity her background would give her and senators. As an example, she referenced her unfamiliarity with Student Government statutes and how that communicated her authenticity. “If you have a question and I don’t know the answer, perfect. And we get to learn together because if I stood here and I told you I know everything about statutes, I’d be lying,” Senator Hayes said.

Along with her personal growth, Senator Hayes stated that her role as Pro Tempore will allow her to be the Student Senate’s voice for the Association of Student Governments and develop leadership qualities in student senators. “I want this to be an opportunity for me to develop not only for myself, but [to] also give you all a voice, speak for you … To learn with you but also to help you learn, to help you be a leader and get the confidence to do what I’m doing now,” said Senator Hayes.

After the speeches, the Senate moved into a period of questioning.

Questions

Several senators asked about the candidates’ abilities to represent student senators within Student Government, university administration and Faculty and Staff Senates. Senator John Britt asked: “How would you describe your leadership style … where you both have to maintain good relationships with these different bodies, but at the same time, push back against them?”

Senator Avery was the first to respond and referred to a time when he spoke with university administration concerning fee raises. “Students were telling us we don’t want to pay anymore on these fees,” said Senator Avery. “The same role I would carry into this [Pro Tempore] is being respectful, but speaking what needs to be said and pushing back where we need to.”

Senator Hayes agreed with Senator Avery’s approach, although for a different reason. “I know when I need to speak up and when I need to keep and bite my tongue, because sometimes it is appropriate, sometimes it isn’t. But it’s about maintaining those relationships while also advocating, standing up and giving a little pushback when it’s needed,” said Senator Hayes.
Senator Henry Wang asked the candidates what their biggest frustration was and their greatest ambition as Pro Tempore.

Senator Avery pointed out that the 106th session lost about 30 members from the previous session. “We lost a lot of more experienced members, whether it was due to graduation or not retaining them,” he said. “I want to make sure we can rebuild those relationships and have effective communication with those people.”

For Senator Hayes, her biggest frustration when communicating with university administrators is the lack of follow-up. “I think the big part is that when you email someone … and you don’t get a response, you can forget about it very easily, especially [because] we are college students,” said Senator Hayes.

Both candidates shared a goal to make the Senate a welcoming community.

Finally, Senator Manav Bhalla asked the candidates what their advice would be for new Student Senate members.

Senator Hayes emphasized the importance of asking questions. “Never feel like you cannot ask something, no matter how outlandish you may think it is, or if you don’t even think it’s a good question. Ask it anyway,” she said.

Senator Avery echoed the need to ask questions, but also encouraged new senators to disagree with each other. “After you disagree with each other, leave this room, go get food and just talk about something that doesn’t involve Student Government and build that relationship,” he said.
The candidates left the room, and the Senate entered a period of debate.

Debate

Student Senate President Mordecai Mengesteab had senators speak positively on the candidates, and senators took turns to present pro-debates for each candidate. Senator Garcia spoke about Senator Avery’s time and experience in the Student Senate, noting his contributions in writing and sponsoring bills. Senator Liam Barry brought up how the candidate had pulled an all-nighter to fast-track a bill.

Senator Isabella Walter gave a pro-debate for Senator Hayes, outlining the candidate’s dedication to Student Government, her passion for the Pro Tempore role and her desire to grow with members of the Student Senate. Senator Diya Dhananjay added that Senator Hayes is a relentless advocate for those she supports.

Afterwards, the senators submitted their anonymous votes, and Senator Avery became the new Student Senate Pro Tempore.