The University of Rhode Island’s Student Senate began with the URI Powerlifting club asking for money for money to go to the collegiate regionals. The Powerlifting club said that they have a good shot at winning first place this year, and need the money to afford the trip. There was some deliberation over the fact that Powerlifting club would be receiving too much funding over the course of the past year. Senate eventually decided to approve the request for funds.
Senate also began to prepare for the upcoming elections that would require everyone on Senate to run for reelection. Amongst the upcoming elections, there were elections for the Rules and Ethics division. During the internal elections, Senate debated over the concept of letter of the law versus spirit of the law.
“We’re very open for interpretation,† said senator Ryan Curtis in defense of spirit of the law. “We shouldn’t always take it so literally. Everything can be taken situational.â€
Meanwhile, another Senator said, “if you want to change the by-laws, this is not the place. You interpret the laws as they are, not how they ought to be.â€
Senate also discussed URI’s decision to dissolve the College of Human Science and Services and instead create a new College called College of Health Sciences. This new college will include many majors from the former College of Human Science and Services, including kinesiology, physical therapy, human development and family studies and health studies. Some of the new majors coming to the College will be nutrition, moving from College of Environment and Life Sciences, and psychology, coming from the College of Arts and Sciences.