The first Senate meeting of Spring Quarter on Wednesday night was a time of new beginnings, as senators elected four officers to the ASG Executive Board for the upcoming year.

Bassel Korkor, who served as Associated Student Government Rules Chair for the past year, was elected to succeed Richard Caldarone as Speaker of the Senate.

Korkor, a Weinberg sophomore, said he would work to maintain a strong relationship between the Senate and Executive Board. He also said he accepts the challenge of replacing Caldarone, who served as speaker for the past two years.

“I’m not saying that I can fill Richard’s shoes,” he said. “But I’ll definitely try to bring my own pair.”

ASG President Adam Humann accepted a nomination to run against Korkor for speaker, but only so Korkor could give a speech and answer questions.

“I’m glad I got the chance to address the senators’ questions,” said Korkor. “I wanted them to vote for me because they had confidence in the job I can do.”

Caldarone, who gave his farewell State of the Senate at the meeting, said it was time for Senate to experience a new style in their speaker.

“It’s time for Bassel to come in and bring new ideas to the job,” he said.

In his address, Caldarone also praised the Senate’s ability to work for the student body this year.

“This year’s Senate has taken more initiative than any Senate I’ve ever seen,” said Caldarone, a Weinberg and Music senior. “But the thing that thrilled me the most was the level of respect and civility that existed in this room.”

In other elections, Mandy Stilmock was elected as rules chair after running against Greg Egan and Kawika Pierson. All three candidates served as members of the Rules Committee this year.

Stilmock said her experience as a two-year member of the committee made her the best choice for the job.

“I think being more experienced gave me an advantage because I have more than one perspective on how to run the committee,” said Stilmock, a Weinberg sophomore. “It will allow me to be more open-minded and innovative in the proceedings this year.”

Stilmock also said she hopes to be an effective leader for ASG’s Executive Board.

“Serving as rules chair has been my goal since I started in ASG,” she said. “This is what I want to do for this organization.”

Egan said he has a “great deal of faith” in the job Stilmock will do as rules chair.

“My disappointment is lessened by my confidence in Mandy’s abilities,” said Egan, a Weinberg freshman. “I am looking forward to serving under her and helping her.”

Weinberg junior Edwin Chan was unanimously elected as treasurer. A former senator and current member of the Student Activities Finance Board, Chan said he understands the “complex guidelines” of his position.

“I think it’s helpful that I’ve been a senator and on SAFB because I know the financial guidelines but I will be able to explain them to an organization that I’m also familiar with,” he said.

Incumbent ASG Secretary/Parliamentarian Angela Serranzana also was re-elected after running against Sens. Keith Musial and Christyn Beal.

Calling herself a “self-proclaimed Senate junkie,” Serranzana said it is important not to step on anyone’s toes as secretary/parliamentarian.

“The position is the only one on executive board without an agenda,” she said. “I try to listen objectively and help out when I’m needed.”

The remaining positions of president, executive vice president, student services vice president and academic vice president will be elected by a campuswide popular vote April 10.