After a long and intense debate over representation of different groups on campus, Student Government voted and approved two appointments to the President's Student Advisory Council Tuesday night.
The council represents SG and the student body in monthly issue discussions with UT President Bill Powers.
Engineering senior Vivek Sakhrani was the first candidate approved by SG.
He said there is a need to reach consensus on the issues most important to students, such as curricular reform and committee representation of the Multicultural Information Center.
"If PSAC members are talking to members of this campus, then there is no reason why all student organizations can't have a voice," Sakhrani said.
After Sakhrani was approved without opposition, an argument raged over a document containing a number of Firing Lines published in The Daily Texan.
The Firing Lines, which are short letters of fewer than 300 words, were written by Matthew Stolhandske, a business honors senior and the second candidate for PSAC appointment.
Yvette Garza, an education and communication studies senior, said one particular Firing Line appeared to disrespect the Latino Leadership Council and the MIC. She said she feared this possible lack of respect may affect Stolhandske's ability to represent student groups he disagrees with.
Stolhandske said the entries he wrote are satirical. He said he views writing as an art form and has been friends with all "creeds, colors and backgrounds" and his Firing Lines are not relevant to the position. He said he will represent the entire student body, including points of view he doesn't agree with.
After about an hour of debate, Stolhandske's appointment was approved. Twenty representatives voted in favor of the appointment, seven voted against it, and one representative abstained.
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