Traverse returns to the Senate

“Big Ben” is back.

Thanks to a Student Association Senate vote Tuesday night, former SA presidential candidate and senator Ben Traverse will be rejoining the body he has served on for the last two years.

“I look to continue tackling student rights issues, whether it be alcohol policy or medical amnesty or (Student Judicial Services) procedures,” Traverse said. “I have a drive to get back in and work on the issues I’ve been working on for the past two years.”

Traverse will sit on the senate finance committee this year and was one of the three applicants for the seat.

During a Q-and-A session with each of the candidates, first-year senator Curtis O’Neal (SPHHS-G), a member of the Finance Committee, questioned Traverse’s ability to work cohesively with the Senate.

“My view is based on the fact that the past definitely does matter,” he said.

The Senate Student Life Committee chair, junior Daniel Balke (ESIA-U), ran on Travere’s Coalition for Reform slate last year and said, “Ben has no incentive to argue with anyone. He’s not back to settle the score.”

-Jenette Axelrod