A program associate from TechHire promoted opportunities for students within his company during last night’s Student Senate meeting.
Bradford Ellison, who works for the central enterprise company TechHire, said the company offers opportunities for Rhode Islanders interested in technology. The company developed a new computer science minor focusing in web development for the University of Rhode Island, which will begin next fall.
Ellison said that each month, 1,100 jobs are open in the state. These jobs are unfilled because there are not enough people with skills to take them. However, if students take the minor, they will gain the skills to earn an entry level web developer position in the company with a starting salary of $70,000 to $80,000, Ellison said.
Ellison opened up the floor to senators, asking for their suggestions about how to promote the new minor. Senators had various opinions – to promote the minor on social media, reaching out to advisors and RAMS and reaching out to different colleges within the university. Ellison said there is no prerequisite for this minor, and will begin with CSC 106, “Joy of Programming.”
Student Organization Advisory Review Committee Chairwoman Samantha King presented a bill to recognize the URI Pre-Dental Club as a non-funded student organization, a bill to recognize Terremoto Boxing Club as a funded student organization and URI Bee Club as a funded student organization. All three clubs were recognized unanimously.
The Finance Committee presented a bill calling for the approval of the budget for Student Senate and its recognized organizations for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. During the discussion, the most prominent budget discussed were those of the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association (Panhel), who request $8,500 each for Greek Week. The money would go toward ATR Treehouse and security during the five days of programming.
Senators questioned whether this money is necessary, claiming that non-greek members of the community do not feel inclusive during these events. However, other senators said that these programming events reach over 5,000 people in the community, and this is the lowest amount Greek Life has ever been given. All of the clubs’ budgets will be finalized on March 22.