This week’s gathering of the Student Senate was highlighted by a meeting with the interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Health Services, Ellen Reynolds, as well as the official recognition of two student organizations.
Reynolds’s time on the floor began with her receiving recognition from the Senate for receiving her doctorate.
From there, she addressed the University of Rhode Island’s counseling center, and the augmentations it has received for the foreseeable future.
Alongside the center’s physical location, students, staff and members of the University’s community will be able to reach out to certified experts at all hours of the day through the “My SSP” app. Previously, students have waited extended periods of time for a physical appointment time to become available, whereas with the app, students should be able to reach out to someone in almost no time, and in five languages — English, Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese and Korean.
Reynolds moved onto discussing housing and residential life. Over the past two years, on-campus housing has been limited due to the removal of triple dorms, and off-campus housing has been limited due to a decrease in student listings. Reynolds acknowledged that more housing was a necessity.
“We are working with our campus planning partners to do everything we can to fast-track another build,” Reynolds said.
The working goal, according to Reynolds, is to quickly create 500 new on-campus housing opportunities for students. This building will likely be built with more inexpensive materials and without the intent to last as long as other buildings on campus.
“It might mean that we’re not going to build an 80-year facility, we’re going to build a 30-year facility,” Reynolds said. “This is the number one priority of the University.”
As the housing shortage is present and ongoing, a quick and inexpensive construction is a necessity, according to Reynolds, with long term outlooks being cast wayside. The potential demographic split for this building is unsure, however, as there is a shortage for both underclassmen and upperclassmen.
Reynolds wrapped up her time on the senate floor with a few requests. She first urged students to reach out to the University’s community first responder program in order to become certified to administer Narcan. She said the course is short, and afterwards, certified students will be able to receive Narcan for free in the mail to administer if necessary.
She also urged all students to get their flu shot, as well as their COVID-19 vaccine boosters. While the September 21st clinic filled almost immediately, future clinics will be scheduled, which will administer a bivalent vaccine. Anyone who is 60 days removed from their previous booster, or previous infection, is eligible.
While there are talks of more affordable public transport statewide, Reynolds reminded the senate that students can buy monthly or daily RIPTA passes for half-off at the campus bookstore.
The Senate then moved onto the standing committees. The Student Organization Committee reminded the Senate about the student organization fair on Oct. 6. All student-led organizations received information about signing up for this event.
The External Affairs Committee has been working to address the Narragansett housing ordinance, and have reached out to Narragansett’s town council about scheduling a town hall meeting.
The Campus Affairs Committee is scheduling a blue-light walk in order to ensure all emergency blue-light phones around campus are working. The tentative date is either Oct. 18 or Oct. 25.
Three bills passed the Senate floor unanimously, beginning with a bill designed to help student organizations pass Bystander Awareness Training, decreasing the required number of certified board members from three to one.
The next two bills to pass acknowledged “Best Buddies” and “MSAC” as student organizations. “Best Buddies” works with those with disabilities and differences, mostly mental. While they were acknowledged before, the club reorganized following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“MSAC,” short for Minority Student Athlete Crew, is a group for minority athletes to come together and discuss current events and other issues. Both organizations became recognized by the Senate unanimously.
As a final note, the Senate is pushing for students to register to vote. While the push is primarily for in-state students, the Senate is working to advocate for all students to vote.
The Senate will meet next on Sept. 28.