Updates on diversity projects and proposed 8 a.m. classes this fall were among the topics discussed at last Tuesday’s AUSA Senate meeting.

In addition senators commented on the recent meeting of Chancellor Bob Coombe with students.

“The Chancellor’s Roundtable was great,” said AUSA President Brian Kelley, particularly since issues important to students were discussed at the event.

Kelley also addressed a comment made by the alternative student newspaper The Disclaimer, which stated that the Senate selectively distributes student activity funds and student minority groups tend to recieve less than others.

The article by Will Seitz stated that the Black Student Alliance gets $2,000, while fraternities and sororities get $36,000.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with the article,” said Kelley. “They didn’t get most of the facts straight.”

Kelley said this year’s Senate was being judged by the actions of last year’s Senate.

The Senate discussed two potential applicants for the open Natural Science, Mathematics and School of Engineering and Computer Sciences Senate position. Any applicants have to be from one of those schools.

The Senate will vote for the new NSM-SECS Senate position at its meeting today at 6 p.m. in the Driscoll Gallery.

The previous NSM-SECS senator had to resign because of time constraints.

“We will miss her greatly but are looking forward to some new opinions and fresh ideas on the senate,” said Senate Vice President Molly Brown.

Sen. Kelsey Yamasaki reported that Sen. Aaron Schwarzberg attended a Faculty Senate meeting on Feb. 10, at which the new 8 a.m. class times were discussed for next year.

Schwarzberg reported that the faculty decided that reducing class size was a priority.

“Sen. Schwarzberg picked up that [the faculty wasn’t] very happy about it either, but currently it is either 8 a.m. classes or larger classes, and the faculty and administration feel smaller classes are a priority,” said Yamasaki.

Sen. Troy Hashimoto reported that he is currently attempting to add diversity activities to future freshmen orientation activities.

Hashimoto is still having discussions with Lisa Matye Edwards, the head of orientation weekend.

Hashimoto plans to meet with first-year students to get their opinions on diversifying orientation.

“This is a difficult process because of time constraints within orientation week and the readiness of incoming students,” said Hashimoto.

Hashimoto also is continuing work on a diversity pledge that would be signed by incoming students at the beginning of the year, and he also hopes to include diversity subjects into first-year seminars.

“Incoming students are at different levels of understanding diversity upon entering DU,” said Hashimoto.

The Senate meeting was shorter than usual due to the members’ individual plans for Valentine’s Day.

The Senate had Valentine’s Day candy during the meeting.