This week from the Student Senate.
Speaker of the General Assembly Cameron Chadronet led this week’s short meeting. The committee chairs shared their updates, getting the meeting rolling.
Communications Director Sanah Feroz announced the launch of the Senate website. Features of the website include general meeting minutes, committee meeting times and how to join the Senate. With easy and accessible information, potential Senators can get a feel for the organization and what they represent. Check out the Senate website https://web.uri.edu/studentsenate/
The URI library no longer offers loaner laptops. Unknown to most students, URI had laptops reserved for students in need. Campus Affairs Chair Sophia Buono advocated bringing loaner laptops back.
“That’s totally unacceptable to me, because our whole curriculum is online and there have been multiple instances where students have to go to Providence [to use a laptop],” Buono said.
Other changes in the works include implementing to-go boxes in the dining halls, along with better snacks in the vending machines.
Student Organizations Committee Chair Nick Johnson reviewed the club constitution. According to the Senate website, the constitution is “the document outlining the fundamental standards by which every student organization is required to operate.”
A potential issue was highlighted by Johnson referring to club membership. There is a clause about non-discrimination that includes race, sex, sexual orientation, religion and more.
Some clubs are catered towards one gender, like URI’s Women’s Pre-Law Society. This can be an issue for non-binary students that do not fall into either category. The constitution protects all students, and the SOC is ready to address any potential problems.
Mental health awareness is critical for college students who are consistently overwhelmed. Senator Small, the mental health liaison, informed the group of some issues he sees with the URI Counseling Center.
To start, the counseling center does not have an email address to schedule an appointment. You are required to call or go in person, which can be difficult for someone who struggles with social anxiety. There are only 16 employees at the counseling center, which, in his opinion, is not nearly enough to support all students.
Senator Small plans to meet with the URI Counseling Center to address these concerns. An alternative for someone who cannot get into one-on-one therapy is group therapy. The counseling center offers a wide range of support groups, such as Anxiety Toolbox group, Considering Change group and Understanding the Self and Others group. The URI Counseling Center can be reached at 401-874-2288 and is in operation Mon-Fri from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The next Student Senate meeting will be held on Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m.