This week from the Senate chamber: Swearing in new Director of Operations and Vice Presidents, Passing of Bills.
In the final Student Senate meeting before the certification of their current elections, the Senate planned on continuing the discussions regarding new mask guidelines. However, things changed as the University announced Wednesday morning that masks will now be optional in all buildings outside of classrooms starting March 4.
While they had not yet sent their recommendations, they did send data taken from Campus Affairs Chair Emily Gamache’s survey of URI students, which showed that 82.9 percent of students favored relaxation of the mask mandates.
“I was quite surprised to hear that the University relaxed some of the mask mandates today,” Senator Ethan Bose, who sponsored the current version of the bill, said. He then asked Speaker Christopher Bove if they would be voting on the bill.
Bove said they will be voting on the bill, as the rollback of the mask mandate will come over time, and their word will still be relevant to those decisions.
After lots of discussion about the bill last week, there was barely any this week. This bill was passed with only one abstaining vote.
“If only the Senate of last week could see us now,” Speaker Bove joked after the passing of the bill.
Additionally, the Senate officially recognized the Papuan Student Association, an organization made up of students from Papua, Indonesia, making them the second group recognized this semester.
The Senate also passed a resolution to have faculty include resources for mental health into their syllabus.
“They have to list COVID resources, so they should have to list mental health resources as well, since COVID has affected all of us mentally,” said then-Senator Grace Summerson.
The bill passed unanimously.
Also, the Senate swore in both a new Director of Operations and Vice President. Willy Njeru, who had been approved by the Senate two weeks ago, was officially sworn in as the new Director of Operations today.
Summerson was nominated by President Taiwo to replace previous Vice President Madyson Ramsay, who had just resigned. Bove gave his full support.
“I could not be more proud of her work as a senator, I am proud to see her as the nominee and I offer her my full support,” Bove said.
After getting Senate approval, a motion passed to have her sworn in right after as Vice President. She was sworn in immediately after.
The next Student Senate Meeting will be held Wednesday, March 9.