Jordan Kiehl, student body president and junior in industrial engineering, addressed emerging concerns within the student senate body about the selection of the chief of staff for the new term.
Miranda Moore, former academic affairs director and junior in communications studies, is the unofficial choice for the chief of staff. As prescribed by the Student Governing Association Bylaws, Moore would advise the members of the cabinet, oversee the transitions between the Kiehl administration and her successor and more or less serve as the chair of all cabinet meetings.Related:
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“I know there is concern about who I chose as my chief of staff, and those are such valid concerns and I understand why they’re there,” Kiehl said.
Several senators have taken issue with the close relationship between Kiehl, Moore and Lacy Pitts, student body vice president and junior in agricultural economics.
Kiehl began by assuring the senate that the process of choosing Moore was ethical and followed the necessary processes.
“It was not something that I came to lightly,” Kiehl said.
Kiehl said that she believed Moore stood out from the other candidates because of her prior experience serving in the executive branch and that her previous role would allow her to be an invaluable asset to SGA in the new term.
Although she has not been officially confirmed as the new chief of staff, Kiehl said Moore will be sitting in on interviews for other cabinet positions.
Additionally, Ryan Kelly, sophomore in civil engineering and communication studies, was selected speaker of the senate for the 2018-2019 student senate term by anonymous ballot, and Joshua Arnoldy, senior in applied music, was chosen in an expedited process for speaker pro tempore.
“I think that my platforms speak for themselves,” Kelly said. “Providing access to all students about what KSU student senate does, empowering our student senators to be as active as they can and really fulfill their passions in this room and also engaging the student body, as well as the other branches in SGA on the initiatives we’re working on.”
Student senate will reconvene on April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Wildcat Chamber for the last time for the spring 2018 semester.
