The University of Rhode Island student senate bid farewell to the 2023-2024 administration and welcomed next year’s senators during Wednesday’s two meetings.
The 2023-2024 senate passed Bill 59, which officially certified the 2024-2025 student senate election results. The Neuroscience Club was officially recognized by the senate after failure to turn in their recognition form.
Former student body President Ramez Rizk will be speaking at the TedxURI event on Sunday, sharing his story “Breaking the Cycle: Innovating Beyond Ideas.”
Chair Hoover passed out “Senate Superlatives” ranging from Senate Bromance to Most Likely to Win “The Hunger Games.” Chair Sophia Buono took home the most superlatives, winning four in total.
Senators, both returning and departing, gave speeches to their peers during the traditional “Pass the Gavel” segment.
Speeches varied in length and emotional depth, looking back on the past year, or years in some cases, of the student senate. Former Speaker Cameron Chadronet made an appearance, saying goodbye to his friends and former peers.
Former President Rizk and former Vice President Jonah Steinweh-Adler received their flowers from newly sworn in Vice President Sanah Feroz. Feroz praised the past administration as her role models, acknowledging their contributions during the 2023-2024 school year.
“It’s been an honor to see the way you continue to put forward the aspirations and the desires of the student body ahead of yourself,” Feroz said.
Steinwieh-Adler gave advice to newly elected senators regarding their futures in the senate chamber.
“Don’t let someone bend you into a personality and make you someone you don’t want to be,” Steinweh-Adler said.
The new executive administration was sworn in after an hour and a half of speeches.
A second senate meeting began after a brief recess, where five new senators were sworn in by President Goswami.
The senate’s first decision was to cancel next week’s general assembly meeting if Eid al-Fitr falls on April 10. Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan, following a lunar calendar. Four Muslim senators advocated for a postponement of the next meeting if Eid al-Fitr falls on Wednesday, and Sen. Peckham motioned to cancel the meeting if it does. The motion passed.
The next student senate meeting is scheduled for April 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Union room 300. If Eid al-Fitr falls on April 10, the next meeting will be held on April 17 at the same place and time.