At last night’s two-hour ASSU Undergraduate Senate meeting, senators hotly debated recent committee appointments, arguing over assignments to the Appropriations Committee, which 11 senators had listed as their number one choice although it only consists of eight members.

Senator Luukas Ilves ‘09 asked that Senate Chair Tiq Chapa ‘10 explain his rationale for choosing the eight senators that he did. Ilves prodded the fact that Senators Orr Keshet ‘09 and Prachi Priyam ‘11 were not placed on the Appropriations Committee despite it being their first preference.

“I know you made the decision,” Ilves told Chapa. “But I want to know how you made that decision. Why did certain people get their top choice and others not?”

Chapa explained that the assignments were made in order to maximize the number of senators who were placed on one of their top two committee preferences.

“I chose people who will engage in their role and benefit the student body,” Chapa said. “It was clearly stated when rankings were sent out that decisions weren’t final and that I would discuss with you in regards to the betterment of the Senate.”

After the committee assignments were released to the senators, Senator Patrick Cordova ‘09 gave his spot on the Appropriations Committee to Priyam. Senators also discussed creating a ninth position on the Appropriations Committee in order to accommodate Orr’s preference.

Ilves said the Senate should not vote on the committee assignments until all members believed the final results were acceptable.

“I just felt that Orr and Prachi were not given their first choice without having been contacted for further information as to why they were fit for the committee,” Ilves said. “So I do not understand the basis for these selections.”

After much debate, the senators voted to create an amendment to add a ninth position for Keshet on the Appropriations Committee. But when the Senate went to vote on the amendment itself, it failed with only 6 votes for the amendment, 8 against and 1 abstention.

Ilves then offered to give his position on the Appropriations Committee to Keshet and switched his second committee assignment to Student Life, Housing and Education.

Senators went on to vote for each member of the Appropriations committee individually with a roll-call vote, and finally all members were confirmed. Afterward, the Senate voted on and passed every other committee’s assignments as a whole.

During the remainder of the meeting, senators confirmed the newly elected Senate, Deputy Chair and Publications Board positions while receiving updates from ASSU Executives and SSE representatives.

“I am glad that all senators are confident enough to express their concerns,” Chapa told The Daily after the meeting regarding the tense debate. “It is clear to me that all senators are guided by a deep commitment to the student body. The senators were able to reach a decision concerning appointments where each senator is not only able to but passionately willing to serve.”