The University of Rhode Island student senate discussed the Rhode Island housing crisis, met the newly elected president and vice president and approved a final budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year on Wednesday.
URI alum Alex Appolonia (‘20) was brought in by External Affairs Committee Chair Chris Hoover. Appolonia is a real estate investor and property manager in Narragansett, looking to ease the stress of student housing.
Appolonia aims for a “renters-first” approach, referring to the current model as outdated.
“With the amount of money you guys are paying, you deserve a better experience,” Appolonia said. “You deserve more value.”
Appolonia shared his appreciation for student renters and their impact on local economies. The final goal for Appolonia’s company, Bluewater Property Group, is to create a listing platform for students that is more user and economically friendly. Appolonia also shared his aim to be a competitor for Narragansett Properties.
Chair Hoover shared his frustration with the current off-campus housing accommodations for students.
“URI does not do a lot for us off campus students,” Hoover said. “It’s more of an, ‘Oh you’re not living on campus, you’re not our problem anymore.’”
Speaker of the Assembly David Rudolph proposed a potential housing task force that could collaborate with Appolonia and his business partner.
President elect Argha Goswami and Vice President elect Sanah Feroz introduced themselves to the general assembly, giving the senate a look into their personal lives. Goswami and Feroz showed the assembly photos of themselves traveling and working together and gave an overview of their leadership experience.
Feroz highlighted her work with the South Asian Student Association, where she currently sits on the executive board as treasurer.
“This organization does feed my desire to find space with people who look like me, who eat like me and share the same cultural beliefs,” Feroz said. “I believe and hope that all of us have a similar space we can connect to on this campus.”
The future administration outlined their priorities for next semester, specifically relating to diversity and inclusion.
“Diversity training starting with this room,” Goswami said. “It’s a very crucial aspect of education.”
Feroz wants to implement more accessible accommodations for students with dietary needs in the first semester, especially those with religious restrictions, such as halal and kosher.
Additionally, the 2024-2025 fiscal and academic year budget was approved unanimously, allocating $1.3 million to student clubs and organizations on campus.
The next student senate meeting, the last with the current administration, will be held Wednesday, April 3 in Memorial Union room 300 at 6:30 p.m.