At the opening meeting of the Ninth Undergraduate Senate last night, the ASSU addressed controversial campus issues before targeting its goals for the coming months.

Senator Patrick Cordova ‘09 discussed the highly contested appointment of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumseld to begin the meeting. He called attention to Rumsfeld’s position of distinguished fellow at the Hoover Institution. Although Cordova refrained from voicing his own opinion or that of any other senators, he did acknowledge the approximately 3,700 students that have signed the petition opposing Rumsfeld’s appointment.

“While I would certainly not be of the opinion that the Undergraduate Senate should hold the power to invite or uninvite faculty to participate in the academy,” Cordova said, “I do feel as if it is the role of the Undergraduate Senate to be an advocate on behalf of prevailing undergraduate opinion.”

He encouraged other members of the Senate to become involved in the issue by staying in contact with the student body and proposing a solution that reflects the majority’s consensus regarding Rumsfeld’s appointment.

As the meeting progressed, Jeanette Smith-Laws, assistant dean for student unions, announced plans regarding Old Union. She said that the staff is still collecting ideas to improve the newly renovated student center.

“We want to make it feel like it’s [the students’] union,” she said, “always open and available.”

All Old Union rooms are currently open until 2 a.m. If student groups desire to use the space, sign-ups are easily available, and groups can register up to two years in advance.

ASSU Vice President Mondaire Jones ‘09 updated the Senate on summer progress regarding a variety of campaign promises, which he is sponsoring with ASSU President Hershey Avula ‘08. He highlighted the revival of the Course Guide, the site that provides students with online access to students’ comments and advice regarding academic classes.

“Hershey and I negotiated the issue of the Course Guide,” Jones said. “It’s not really as visible as we had intended it to be, but we are working on it.”

Finally, Jones discussed the ASSU’s goal to push for gender-blind housing for next year’s draw. A committee will be formed to focus on establishing gender-neutral housing in more than just co-ops.

The meeting concluded with time allotted for brief updates from each committee, but such news was scarce, since most committees will be holding their first meetings this week.