
ASW Senate held its second general session of the 2021-22 academic year to swear in four new senators, give various updates and discuss open seats Sept. 27.
There are currently four open positions in the ASW Senate, according to Brynlie (Binnie) Green, Speaker of the Senate and junior justice studies major.
“Right now, I’m the only one in the Student Initiatives Committee and Henry [Pernichele, sophomore class senator], is the only one in the [Student Relations and Communication Committee],” Scanlon said. “We definitely need seats.”
The tasks of the vacant positions will be delegated to current members of the senate if they are not otherwise filled, according to Parliamentarian Addison Scanlon, a senior public health major.
The ASW Senate is in charge of establishing policies for the student government and functions as the legislature for the student body’s concerns, according to the ASW webpage.

Parker Nielson, senior biology major, was sworn in as Senior Class Senator during the meeting.
Nielson said he hopes to make an impact on Westminster’s campus in his new position.
“The main reason I wanted to run for ASW Senate is because ever since [my first year] I’ve always felt a sense of unity at Westminster,” Nielson said. “It’s cool being able to feel like you [know everyone,] you care for everyone in your class. This [position] seemed like the most accessible way to make a fundamental change to help [the] people I care about.”
Senators represent the concerns of the student body and aim to serve the needs of Westminster students, according to the ASW webpage.

Oliver Anderson, ASW adviser and director of student involvement & orientation, said he emphasizes the importance of senators’ dedication to their positions.
“The strongest ASW […] often comes from how strong and committed the senators are,” Anderson said. “The most impactful and strongest years really come from a very intense […] passion for the work [they] are doing.”
The current open seats are appointed positions, meaning that anyone who is interested can contact the speaker of the senate and deliver an intent-to-run statement, according to Green.