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After a number of procedural moves and heated opinions, the assembly passed a resolution calling for the state Board of Regents to add an undergraduate to the search committee. The panel currently has 13 members, including UI graduate student Sen. Sarah Vigmostad.

Because of Vigmostad's undergraduate history at the UI, opponents of the resolution said the search committee did not need an undergraduate representative. UISG President Peter McElligott went further, saying the resolution would "cut the legs out from underneath [Vigmostad]."

But many senators disagreed, saying a single undergraduate representative is necessary.

"It only seems right [to have someone] there to voice our concerns," said Sen. Maison Bleam, adding that an undergraduate would need to be friendly and willing to take time to listen to students' views.

The assembly also restored Priority 1 status to UISG. Prior to Tuesday's meeting, the organization only had Priority 2 status. Last night's vote restored UISG's ability to carry over its excess funds from year to year.

In the last agenda item of the evening, the Student Assembly debated a resolution declaring "opposition to President Bush's plan to escalate the [Iraq] war."

At one point the debate within the Old Capitol Senate Chamber became so fierce that the group censured one of its members. Sen. Michael Currie, when debating the resolution, said American troops volunteered to join the military and that "contrary to popular belief, they're white middle-class and not ghetto trash."

"That was not the view I wanted to express," Currie said after the meeting had adjourned. "I'm planning on sending out an apology e-mail."

Despite amendments to tone down its language, the Iraq resolution did not pass.

Many members expressed reservations about involving UISG in the issue, saying they didn't believe the student government should express an opinion on such a political matter.