Student Senate President Chad Wade opened the body’s first meeting of the semester Monday night, to a less-than-packed house.

Slightly more than half the voting senators were present, a number that Wade said he hopes to improve upon.

“We were kind of lacking in attendance this meeting,” Wade said. “Hopefully we’ll have a few more senators here (at future meetings).”

The senate, despite low attendance, unanimously passed a bill introduced by Senator Jeremy Ralston allocating $150 for a magician. The magician entertained a crowd at Historic Randall Park Appreciation Day on Sunday. Ralston, the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, said the celebration went well.

“We had a good response from the (Randall Park) Neighborhood Association,” he said.

Wade gave Ralston credit for the progress made with the Third Ward Neighborhood Association over the summer. Ralston, with a group of student delegates, submitted to City Council more than 40 possible solutions to alleviate parking congestion in the Third Ward.

Student Senate Vice President Meredith Marx said that while parking will remain an important issue for the senate this year, a lot of concentration will be focused on the possible re-building or renovation of Davies Center.

Marx said a committee of nine students will determine the best option for Davies Center, before the student body votes in referendum.

“Since it will be completely started by students, hopefully the rest of the student population will be able to join the consensus,” Marx said.

She added that she cannot speculate on how long it will be until the issue goes to referendum.

Wade said one of his goals for senate this year is to improve the quality of life for students living on-campus. He added that it will be a busy year.

“Meredith and I are very excited about the prospects of getting a lot of stuff done this year.”