In an attempt to promote school spirit, the AUSA Senate voted Tuesday to support the Pack the House basketball event in February.

Assistant Director of Recreation and Athletics Stuart Halsall came before the Senate to appeal for support for the Pack the House basketball event scheduled for Feb. 13.

Students would pay $2 to see the DU women’s and men’s teams play the University of North Texas teams in the Magness Arena in the Ritchie Center. In addition those who attend will be eligible for prizes that include two Toyota cars, Miami airfares, Winter Park lift tickets and event tickets.

“We’re trying to entice people to come to this game,” Halsall said. “We’d really love to, as [the event is] titled, pack the house.”

Senate President Jake Bakker said, “This is a golden opportunity for us…[in] creating more unity and tradition across campus.” This quarter, Bakker hopes on “creating more unity and school tradition across campus.”

Other business discussed included a program funded by Bridges to the Future. Senate members will be among 25 student leaders and 25 student athletes from the DU community, who will visit 15 high schools in the Denver Public School district.

Bakker said that these DU students would participate in the eight-week Pioneer Leadership Program training potential high school leaders about values, leadership and American identity.

Senate visibility will increase in a tailgate party from 3 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 18 in the Z Zone parking lot in front of Sturm Hall. Tailgating is a tradition at sporting events.

Next week’s tailgating party will precede the women’s gymnastics team’s competition against Stanford University at 6 p.m. and the men’s hockey game against Michigan State University at 7 p.m.

Senate teamwork will be tested in the national leadership and skills organization Outward Bound’s competition Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Participants include Greek houses, the Alpine Club, and the Senate members. Prizes include Timberline products.

The Diversity Committee that is headed by Natural Science, Mathematics and Engineering Senator Chris Adams is expected to begin meeting this spring.

The committee will offer support and funding to minority group organizations on campus from the $30,000 available to organizations that submit applications online or at the Student Involvement Center on the Driscoll bridge. Meetings are tentatively scheduled on Mondays at 5 p.m.

The Senate approved Daniels College of Business Senator Andrew Petraitis’ suggestion that the Senate refurbish the Student Involvement Center.

The Senate meetings are scheduled tentatively for Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Driscoll North second floor Room 1864.