The University of Rhode Island student senate was interrupted by four students proposing a parking lot on the quad, before discussing a bylaw amendment and recognizing the Student Alumni Association.
Four students claiming to represent Sen. Keegan Zoleno briefly presented a slideshow arguing for the quad to be changed into a parking lot. The students claimed they were awaiting $4 million from the College of Engineering for their proposal. The students were invited by Sen. Dylan Waddell.
Speaker Cole Rinne removed the students from the meeting, before reminding senators to maintain professionalism. President Meilin Reyes reiterated the procedures for inviting students to speak at senate meetings.
The senate passed a bill acknowledging the Student Alumni Association as a senate recognized organization. The club had previously worked with the URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement, but wanted access to the financial package provided to new organizations.
Rinne introduced a change to the bylaws requiring the president or treasurer of any prospective clubs to be present at their recognition meeting. If the president or treasurer is unavailable, the Student Organization Committee may vote to either allow another club representative or push the vote to a later meeting.
The amendment will not affect the recent bylaw update limiting the student organization recognition period to the first six weeks of classes, according to Rinne. An organization’s recognition meeting will be held within three weeks of their completed application, which may occur outside of the first six weeks. Clubs that have completed their applications within the six weeks but have not had their recognition meetings within the six weeks are still eligible for recognition.
The next student senate meeting will take place on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Union Room 300.