The ASUA Senate extended the candidate packet deadline last night, one week after it considered filing a complaint against the election commissioner's decision to extend the deadline without notice.

Students have until Friday to file their packets, which were originally due Jan. 23.

After the candidate list was released two weeks ago, Dan Suh, elections commissioner, realized more people were needed to run for the positions and decided to extend the deadline.

At that time, there were only nine candidates for 10 available senate spots, two candidates for administrative vice president and one candidate for executive vice president.

Just a week ago, ASUA senators questioned Suh's deadline extension, saying it might violate the ASUA constitution.

But after discussing the options yesterday, senators decided to not file a complaint against Suh's actions, but rather change the elections code.

Sen. Jacob Rueben said the approval was made in order to make a formal change in election dates to allow for the elections procedures to be properly followed.

He said they recommend that Suh allow equal opportunity and time for the candidates to fulfill the requirements to run.

The extended deadline will allow him to do so, Rueben said.

The changed date will be reflected in the Elections Code.

J.P. Benedict, ASUA president, thanked the senators for being so supportive of Suh's decision to extend the candidate packet deadline.

He said he knew some senators were unhappy with the decision and that he compliments those who were concerned and strived to uphold the ASUA constitution.

Benedict said he was going to encourage Suh to get the new candidates campaigning as quickly as possible.

ASUA senators approved the student lobbyist's $400 tuition proposal at last night's senate meeting.

Student lobbyists explained to the senate the rationale behind their tuition proposal. The proposal asks for a $400 increase for undergraduate in-state students and $700 for undergraduate out-of-state students.

Alistair Chapman, student lobbyist, told senators that $400 was the least amount they could propose to decrease the financial burden on students.

He said the out-of-state tuition was reasonable because it would not make the UA lose too many out-of-state students, yet it would still provide additional revenue.

Even though the UA's out-of-state students account for 29 percent of the population, they contribute 60 percent of the UA's revenues, Chapman said.

Sen. Ben Weiss asked student lobbyists if the increases were in the best interest of the students.

Alexis Coury, student lobbyist, said it would help stabilize tuition, because students will be paying $400 for the next two years.

Chapman said the $90 difference from President Peter Likins' in-state tuition proposal would make a big difference for students on financial aid.

Reuben was concerned about how the proposed out-of-state tuition was set and how it would change in the future.

Nick Green, student lobbyist, said the out-of-state tuition mark was set to make it more affordable for students to attend the UA from out of state than at their in-state universities.

Green also said the increase was conservative and would not force the UA to lose out-of-state students.

The senate approved the Appropriations Board's consent agenda for $8,836.09 for funding for six clubs at the UA.

Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity received $6.898.48, in order to hold their fifth annual Ice-Train Classic Stepshow on April 24. The event is a competition among organizations that perform synchronized marching, stomping and hand-clapping.

The Wildcat Drill Team originally requested $19,167.22, but received $846.65 to participate in the Southern California Invitational Drill meet on March 6.

Alpha Epsilon Pi received $148.75 for room rentals at the National Conclave at the UA from Feb. 13 to 15. The board initially had issues funding the request of $973.75 because a large portion of the conference is not open to all students.

The Society for Mining Metallurgy and Exploration received $400 to attend the 2004 SME National Convention in Denver on Feb. 22.

Standup For Kids, a club organized to help homeless children, requested and received $142.21 in initial funding for fliers and brochures from Fast Copy.

Symphonic Choir received $400 to attend the American Choral Director's Association Western Division Honor Choir Conference in Las Vegas.

The ASUA Senate also approved the appointment of a new club advocate and a new Appropriations Board director.

Evan Worle, a former Appropriations Board director, was chosen to replace Duane Skiles as a club advocate. Skiles had to resign from his position because of personal time constraints.

Worle was chosen because he was already familiar with the club funding process, and it was in the best interest of campus clubs and organizations, said Melanie Rainer, ASUA executive vice president.

With the move of Worle from the board to club advocate, Lindsey Gordan was chosen to fill the vacant spot in the board.

Gordan served as a club advocate from 2002-2003 and was originally appointed and approved to the board for the 2003-2004 school year.

Gordan had to resign last semester because of a conflicting schedule; however, there are no longer conflicts, Rainer said.