The Texas A&M Student Government Association, or SGA, is looking to fill 16 vacancies in the Student Senate. The deadline to apply is Monday, Jan. 29. Any student, including international and graduate students, can apply online at tx.ag/vacancy.

The process of electing new senators will be finished before Wednesday, Feb. 7, when the new senators will be sworn in. They will be selected by current senators of the caucus for which they apply to.

Speaker of the Student Senate Marcus Glass said filling the vacancies is important to ensure the Student Senate is working effectively.

“The senate is practically the voice of the student body and so that’s why trying to ensure that the body is completely filled to the best of its ability ensures proper representation,” Glass said.

Glass said the Student Senate is responsible for representing students by working with university administration.

“The Senate really, it’s enacting legislation and policies that allow us to say this is the voice of the student body and advocate for students, really,” Glass said. “Some of the work that we do happens behind the scenes, meeting with administration — some senators serve on university committees, so there’s a whole wide range of input that we try to give to university administration.”

Glass said that if students are passionate about selfless service and making an impact at A&M, the Student Senate is a great opportunity.

“I think if you’re really passionate about representing others and trying to make a difference in some of the things that happen at this university, I think that joining Senate is a great way to do it,” Glass said.