Student Council passed a resolution approving appointed members of the Executive Board at their meeting last night.
Appointed Executive Board members are selected through an application process conducted by the executive board of Council. The names are then submitted for approval to the representative body.
The resolution called for the appointments of third-year Commerce student Kelley Mulfinger to the position of chief of staff, second-year Engineering student Cainon Coates to the position of chief technology advisor, , Darden student Matthew Dominy to the position of chief financial officer and third-year College student Elizabeth Chu to the position director of University relations.
The resolution was introduced at the meeting last Tuesday.
Members of Council are allowed to review the applications of the Executive Board's appointments.
Objections to the bill were raised by Continuing and Professional Studies Rep. Michael Winn.
"Based on my review of the two applications for Director of University Relations, [Council's selection] should be changed," Winn said.
Only two students submitted applications for the position: Chu and Recording Secretary Lauren Bruce.
"It has nothing to do with complexion and everything to do with countenance," Winn said of his objection to the appointment.
He contrasted Bruce's communication skills as secretary with Chu's plans to create a "brand image" for Council.
"Do you want someone to market our image or someone to represent it?" he asked.
The resolution was tabled until this week's meeting, a process typical of newly introduced legislation.
At the meeting last night, former Council President Jequeatta Upton spoke in support of Chu's nomination.
"I've worked with Elizabeth for two years now, and she's proven herself to be a very dedicated representative," Upton said.
Nabors addressed the thought process behind each of the nominations. He praised Chu's work overseeing the committees in the chief of staff position, which she held upon Upton
The resolution was initially voted on by voice acclamation, with College Rep. Pavan Gupta, who had earlier mentioned a desire for a broader application process, voting against the resolution. Winn and College Rep. Dionna Lewis abstained from voting; however, a roll call vote was called after that, and Winn changed his vote in favor of the resolution.
"It's a matter of faith [in Council]," Winn said. "The vote had already been cast, so it was like, yeah, it's going to be this way, let's go with it. I'll challenge it up to the point of being passed, and after that, I'll support it like anyone else on Council."
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