The AUSA Senate at last week’s meeting pledged a new commitment to diversity.

In addition, the Senate discussed DU’s high rental price for AV equipment and a possible visit to campus by Ben Stein.

Some of the senators suggested they would like all the students to take a diversity pledge which would be displayed on plaques around campus.

Many senators felt that diversity was an issue that could be handled better by the Diversity Committee.

Others said that because many students had come to the Senate to voice their concerns about diversity, it was the Senate’s responsibility to create the new diversity pledge.

Eventually, the Senate voted to place the new pledge to development with the Diversity Committee.

The vote was 12 for with two abstentions.

The issue of the high rentals for AV equipment through the school will be brought up at the next Chancellor’s Roundtable.

Until then students and student organizations that need to use AV equipment are encouraged to seek alternative distributors.

The next Chancellor’s Roundtable will be held on Feb. 9.

Interested students are encouraged to attend as these roundtables are a student’s best resource for bringing change to DU.

Vice President Molly Brown encouraged all student organizations to attend the roundtable.

President Brian Kelley discussed the possibility that celebrity Ben Stein may come to speak at DU.

He was approached by the Student Bar Association in the Law School to see if the Senate would be interested in helping to make this happen.

The multi-talented Ben Stein, in addition to being an actor, book writer and formerly a game show host on Comedy Central’s “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” is a lawyer and was also a speechwriter for President Richard Nixon’s administration.

Kelley also reported his discussion with Richie Center concessions about lowering beer prices for students.

The concessionaire was interested in creating special value meals for students.

The Senate also discussed how to create a buzz for Winter Carnival, which is this week.

Attendance in the past has been poor and the Senate hopes that it can increase this year’s participation.