This week’s Senate meeting looked toward the future, covering elections, potential sustainability initiatives and the continuation of student advocacy for the Rhode Island Public Transport Authority.
After his two opponents pulled their speaker of the assembly nominations, Sen. David Rudolph won in a unanimous vote to become the term’s speaker. Sen. Elise Newman pulled her nomination, but announced her intent to run for speaker next fall, as Speaker Rudolph will be graduating in May. Sen. Andrew Ebrahimpour pulled his nomination to focus on his current roles as mental health liaison and student veteran liaison.
President Ramez Rizk announced that he will not be running for reelection this year, opening up the position to new candidates both within and outside the Senate.
“I encourage anybody who is passionate enough and who has the right amount of belief and commitment to this position to run,” Rizk said.
Rizk has sat as president for the last year, elected with current Vice President Jonah Steinweh-Adler.
Steinweh-Adler updated the Senate on new sustainability initiatives both on and off campus. The compost ambassador position received 15 applicants and will begin hiring and training next week.
The vice president also shared plans to bring composting to local elementary schools in partnership with Get Food Smart RI. Starting next semester, students will potentially have the opportunity to assist elementary students with composting during their lunch periods.
After attending Monday’s hearing held by RIPTA in the Memorial Union, Sen. Zoie Ndonye and Sen. Chris Hoover urged fellow senators to call elected officials to express support for RIPTA. Potential changes include cutting routes due to a lack of payment for drivers.
“Students who don’t have cars rely on getting accessible transportation,” Sen. Hoover said.
Transport has been an ongoing issue for University of Rhode Island students, driving some to allegedly question their futures with the University.
“There are students that are contemplating dropping out of this university if they aren’t able to get transportation,” said Speaker Rudolph.
Senators recommend concerned students to call elected officials and express their support for RIPTA and their service to the URI campus.
The next Senate meeting will be held on Wednesday Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 300 of the Memorial Union.