The UF Student Government Senate elected two members-at-large during its Tuesday night meeting, Sen. Roman Quattrocchi (Vision-Off Campus) and Sen. Catherine Isakson (Vision-Off Campus).
Members-at-large serve as voting members of the Replacement and Agenda Committee and assist the Senate President and the Senate Pro Tempore in fulfilling their duties as requested.
Quattrocchi won against Sen. Fahim Islam (Change-Engineering) in a 55-23 vote for the first member-at-large seat.
During his credentials speech and subsequent questioning, Sen. Quattrocchi emphasized the importance of being genuine and having open discussions among senators while working together on bills.
“Having open dialogue, that’s just a general rule,” he said. “That’s how things get done, that’s how bipartisanship happens.”
Quattrochi, a UF economics and religion sophomore, previously served as a member of the Budget Committee and as a clerk on the Government Oversight and Reform Committee, he said.
Isakson won against Sen. Sarah Hoffer (Change-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in a 50-27 vote for the second member-at-large seat. Like Sen. Quattrocchi, Sen. Isakson discussed bipartisanship while being questioned by the Senate.
“I think it’s super important to lead by example, and I think one of the most important things I can do is to, I, myself, show even more bipartisanship,” said the UF political science and international studies sophomore.
The Replacement and Agenda Committee currently includes Sen. President Pro-Tempore Blake Cox (Vision-Off Campus) as chair and Sen. Anamika Naidu (Change-Beaty Towers), Sen. Julia Seifer (Vision-Off Campus) and Sen. President Monish Vijayaraghavan (Vision-Off Campus) as members.
The committee’s duties include preparing the agenda for regular meetings, recommending members of other committees, and interviewing and recommending replacement senators to fill vacant seats.
During the meeting, the senate also approved with clear majority a 300 Code Revisions (SSB 2024-1236), which states validation of election results will be the very first item discussed when they are a pending agenda item.
Rules and Procedures Revisions of the Credentials to Serve Act (SSB 2024-1237) and Support Expansions Act Three (SEA III) (SSB 2024-1240) also passed with clear majority.
The first removes a section giving resigning senators seven days to name a replacement — unless the senator resigns from nonattendance. The second states any SG cabinet chair, cabinet director and agency chair member may sponsor a bill, resolution, authorization or special request.
Damian Rodriguez was confirmed Budget and Appropriations Chair by a “clear and convincing” vote before the meeting adjourned.
Contact Zoey Thomas at zthomas@alligator.org. Follow her on X @zoeythomas39.
Zoey Thomas is a second-year media production major and the university administration reporter for The Alligator. She previously wrote for the metro desk. Other than reporter, Zoey's titles include espresso connoisseur, long-distance runner and Wes Anderson appreciator.
