Student Senate Report 02/09/2022

This week in the Senate chambers: Public forums and possible expulsion.

The session began with Moderator Christopher Bove addressing the recent behavior of the senators in the assembly meetings.

“First and foremost, when we have guests here, it is absolutely unacceptable for senators to talk over them,” Bove said. “Guests are not required to come and speak to us and answer our questions, so when senators are having side conversations or talking over them to people who are sharing their time with us it is extremely disrespectful.”

The session then moved to a public forum, where Mary Grace Almandrez, chief diversity officer at the University of Rhode Island, came to discuss four points — the draft of a university land acknowledgment of the Narragansett tribe, discussing the campus climate survey, inviting people to her open forum and office hours.

“We honor and respect the enduring and continuing relationships between these nations and this land by teaching and learning more about their histories and present day communities,” Almandrez said in a rough draft of a statement that has been shown to multiple groups, including the Faculty Senate. 

Almandrez also stated that they plan on showing this to the council tribe of Narragansett Bay, and discussed other things they are planning on doing.

Senator William Rider asked what the university is doing in regards to acknowledgement of the Narragansett Tribe, as he believes that the campus isn’t doing enough, and where he can find resources regarding the tribe’s presence at the university. 

Almandrez mentioned that the Native American Student Association is trying to come back and become a Student Senate-approved organization. Chair Siegle said she wants to work to get that closer to reality.

In addition, she also mentioned the campus climate survey, revealing that there are five things that the school is focusing on. Among those, according to Almandrez, is the greater need to strengthen the community across campus and the desire for more mentorship, particularly for staff of color. She also mentioned a real desire to see faculty perform in social justice training and be able to honor contributions of social justice. 

The senate also debated the expulsion of Senator Isaiah Kittel. Bove mentioned that Kittel was not in jeopardy of losing his seat, but asked to do it now as a showing of respect to the committee.

In a written statement, Kittel mentioned that he is currently taking classes from 2-9:15 p.m. on Wednesdays, and that due to his schedule can not make it to all of the meetings.

“I hope you will consider my situation and allow me to continue serving as a senator for the students of URI despite my absence at General Assembly meetings,” Kittel said in his statement.

The government body voted unanimously in favor of Kittel maintaining his position.

The senate also went over a bill that would make it easier for students to transfer meal swipes to other students. Among other things, the bill would eliminate the limit on how many swipes students could donate. Senator Mitchell Asante proposed an amendment that would make the swipes automatic. The bill passed unanimously.