With only one business meeting left for the semester, Student Senate is winding down for elections.

Senate officer elections are April 12 and 13. Senators have until Monday to turn in their petition to the Student Services office in order to be placed on the ballot for an officer position.

“I would strongly encourage all student senators eligible for a position to turn in their petition,” said Zack Odem, Senate president.

A senator must be on Senate for two semesters before applying for the vice president or president position. Odem cannot be elected again as he is graduating in the Spring.

“[It is] important for Southern to get strong leaders that are representative all over the campus,” Odem said.

He said the Senate should not be over-representative of any one group on campus, nor should it be lacking in any representation.

Odem said part of the reason for the equal representation is Senate’s allocation budget of $30,000.

Senate has $3,599 left for the last meeting of the semester.

During the March 31 meeting, Senate allocated $1,000 for the Respiratory Therapy Club.

During the March 24 meeting, Senate allocated $1,000 for the Spanish Club. The organization will be attending “Fiesta” in San Antonio April 23-25. The Collegiate Middle Level Association received $768 for an annual board meeting in Columbus, Ohio

Josh Doak, co-adviser to Senate, reminded the Senators during the March 31 to look at the recreation center survey.

Five organizations have been recognized for the last business meeting. Doak and Odem said organizations can not ask for requests after the last meeting. Senate officers will be sworn in during the Senate’s annual picnic April 14.