The Nevada Sagebrush

Siblings Chelsey McMenemy, 19, and Ian McMenemy, 21, were appointed to the Associated Students of the University of Nevada Senate this fall. Despite initial concerns from other senators that the siblings would be a two-person voting bloc, the two often vote differently on issues.

Photos by Devin Sizemore

In the senate’s recent history, Chelsey and Ian McMenemy are the only brother-sister pair of senators to serve at the same time. Being senators is hardly the only thing the two have in common, though. They grew up sharing the same birthday and a desire to get involved in their community.

Ian, the older of the two at 21, said he and his sister, 19, have always been close and that sibling relationship has factored into their decisions how to get involved in campus life.

“He’s a big influence in my life,”Chelsey said. “I guess I kind of follow in his footsteps.”

The senate appointed the two in September to fill empty seats. The McMenemys said they want to make a difference by  giving students in their colleges — the College of Business Administration for Ian and the College of Education for Chelsey — a voice.

Ian,  who was an elected senator last year, was the first appointed and had to watch as other senators asked his sister if her appointment would create a two-person voting bloc.

Ian told the senate that if he had any control over his sister’s actions, she wouldn’t be living with her boyfriend.

After the two assured other senators they would not vote as a bloc, the senate appointed Chelsey. The two have voted differently on many issues, despite initial concerns from senators.

“We’ve proven (with our voting records) that any concerns over that are not true,”he said.

For example, Ian voted against sending a resolution commending Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Jim Rogers to Gov. Jim Gibbons. During the senate’s debate, he was vocal, saying the resolution had nothing to do with Gibbons. Chelsey voted in favor of the legislation, but didn’t say why in the meeting.

Senate Speaker Priscilla Acosta said she was never concerned the siblings would have problems voting ethically.

At meetings the two rarely even sit by each other. Besides exchanging hellos like any other senator, the siblings hardly even address one another. Sen. Jessica Purney said the two don’t seem to act like siblings at all during meetings.

“They may be brother and sister, but when they sit at that table, they’re just senators,”she said.

Ian said the proof was shown in the pair’s actions in senate and committee meetings.

Ian said having his sister in the senate made things a bit more complicated.

“I trust her judgment a lot more than some other people, because she’s my sister,”he said. “If there was an issue I was very unsure about and she was passionately for it, that may influence me a little.”

Both are involved in Greek Life and Chelsey said Ian pushed her toward joining the senate.

“He introduced me,”Chelsey said. “He said ‘You can make a difference in things,’ and that’s what I want to do — make a difference.”

Jay Balagna can be reached at jbalagna@nevadasagebrush.com.

Related Posts:

• Senate plans petition against cuts, mistakenly confirms justice (updated)
• UPDATE: Judicial Council reapportions Senate after delays
• Reapportionment process collapses
• Garcia resigns from Senate
• ASUN Senate report will increase transparency