Student Senate started their meeting on March 20 by holding a moment of silence for the victims of the New Zealand attack prompted by a motion from Senator Dylan D’aguanno.
The Senate discussed that they are looking to put forward a resolution that condemns all bigotry in the wake of the New Zealand attack. They also are planning to create a resource guide so students can find all the resources or services available to them in one place if they need to seek help, feel they are discriminated against or any other issue.
Most notably, the senate approved the future use of Campus Labs, a software that will allow senate to hold online voting, easily conduct surveys, promote the website and better manage budgeting, among other things.
President Adriana Wilding read testimonials from students who have used Campus Labs and speak highly of it. The software also had the approval of the finance committee. The price of the software will continue to increase up until 2023 when their contract will expire.
When discussing payment for the software, the Finance Chair, Zachary Taylor, mentioned the large amount of money from the roll over process. Freshman representative Lulu Alryati questioned why organization’s budgets were not being approved if there is such a large roll over.
Taylor responded that it concerned budgets not adhering to policies or lacking clarity. The discussion was halted by Vice President Tristram Howard for not being related to the issue at hand.
Mary Grace Almandrez spoke at the meeting, partially to introduce herself. She has been serving as the new Interim Chief Diversity Officer for nine weeks. She introduced herself to the Senate and announced new ways she is looking to encourage social justice, equity or diversity
Almandrez will be holding office hours, introducing anonymous feedback forms that can be found aturi.edu/diversity. There will also be an event open only to students on March 27 at 5 p.m. in Hillside Hall to discuss pressing equity and inclusion issues. Another meeting with students and faculty will be held on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Memorial Union’s Atrium 1.
A previous external affairs chair of URI’s Student Senate and current employee of Narragansett Property Management is heading a new initiative on outreach. The company is looking to hold events on campus to spread awareness about their services and partner with students.
A housing ordinance in Narragansett approved last year that may limit the number of unrelated people living in a single family home to more than four is thought to target University of Rhode Island students to crack down on apparent partying behavior.
The representative said Narragansett Property Management is looking to make living off campus in Narragansett easier for students in wake of the new ordinance.
Co-Executive Director of RhodyThon, Sean Miller, attended the meeting to request $4,000 to help grow RhodyThon. Last year the event raised over $149,000. This year their goal is to raise $250,000. There are now 64 teams participating, almost 30 more teams than last year.
They have currently raised over $146,000 and are reportedly on track to reach their new goal. RhodyThon was granted the $4,000 with only two obstensions.
The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Kinesiology Club, Neuroscience Club and Boxing Club. Comedy Club passed with one abstention, despite the fact that the representative refused to tell a joke upon a senator’s request.
A Middle Eastern Student Association also passed with one abstention with the aim to provide a place for Middle Eastern people or people who want to know more about Middle Eastern Culture and to spread awareness and get rid of stereotypes.
A Dance Club was also approved despite a representative from URI’s current Dance Company who spoke against approving the club. They were approved on the basis that their goal is to raise awareness for certain events or causes while Dance Company’s purpose is more directed at allowing students to continue dancing after high school.
The motion to recognize the Dance Club passed with three abstentions while off campus senator and President-elect Nick Marotta did not vote in favor.
The meeting concluded with a senator acknowledging tension between representatives and imploring them to not let that tension fester. He implored those present to sit down with whoever they disagree with and talk out their disagreements.