Student Assembly President-elect Danielle Moore '95 and Vice President-elect Rukmini Sichitui '95 last night appointed Grace Chionuma '96 as president and Jesse Russell '96 as vice president of the summer Assembly.
But Chionuma's appointment is contigent upon her acceptance by the nominations committee as a general member of the Assembly. The nominations committee, a sub-committee that approves Assembly memberships, is chaired by Sichitiu.
Chionuma has been in Nigeria the past two terms. She served on the Assembly her freshman year, during which she served as co-chair of the Assembly Sexual Assault Task Force, the Policy Committee and the Tenure Committee.
Russell has been chair of the academic, administrative affairs and projects committees.
"Both Grace and Jesse are by far the most experienced '96s on the Assembly," Sichitiu said.
Although Chionuma still needs confirmation from the nominations committee, Moore and Sichitiu both said they are confident she will be confirmed this afternoon when the nominations committee meets again.
The nominations committee announced Tuesday afternoon that applications from the student body would be considered to fill a vacant at-large seat in the Assembly.
The vacancy was created when Sichitiu was elected by the student body to the position of both vice president and at-large member but could not fill both seats.
Only applicants who submitted an application to Sichitiu's BlitzMail account by 3 p.m. yesterday were considered.
It is the responsibility of the president-elect to appoint the summer president and vice president. The selection then needs confirmation from the nominations committee.
Although the nominations committee does not traditionally reject the president-elect's decision, last night Assembly member John Honovich '97 said he and nominations committee member Nina Nho '97 were concerned that not enough students knew about the open seat.
Nho and other members of the nominations committee would not say how they will vote today.
Chionuma said, "I trust the people on the nominations committee will make the best decison for Student Assembly. I also believe they will not create a gridlock like this year's Assembly.
"I also think they have respect for both of Danielle's appointments and realize she had a mandate from the student body. So I'm confident this process will proceed unimpeded by politics," she said.
She also said she is excited to work with Russell. "He has been a tremendous asset to the Assembly for two years. He is very project-oriented."
Russell said he would like to work with Chionuma this summer. "The two of us will be able to get a lot started and begin in the right direction next year," he said.
Russell said he does not forsee too many problems with her confirmation. "Grace is definitely qualified. She has done a great job before ... I certainly hope it will not become too much of an issue."