The University of Rhode Island Student Senate finished the fall semester with various initiatives targeted at strengthening communication with students and modernizing campus policy.
Speaker of the Assembly Cole Rinne said his first semester leading the senate has been busy but rewarding. After four years of being involved, Rinne said he’s proud of the progress made across university committees.
“This is my first year as speaker, but it’s been so exciting to see how our teams have come together,” Rinne said. “We’ve made real changes that make student voices easier to hear and clubs easier to support.”
One of the biggest improvements this semester came through the Student Organization Committee, which revised the club recognition process, according to Rinne.
“Before, club leaders only met with SOC,” Rinne said. “Now the entire senate gets to engage with them, learn about their needs and help them succeed from the start.”
The senate expanded outreach across social media and encouraged students to attend weekly meetings, which remain open to the public, according to Rinne.
“We don’t just want to represent our friends or classmates,” Rinne said. “We want to hear from every corner of campus, whether that’s through email, public comment or senate representatives.”
Cultural Affairs Chair Kairy Gonzalez said her committee’s proudest achievement was creating a brand-new position: the disability liaison. The role was designed to ensure accessibility is a top priority across URI.
“This is the first time we’ve had a position like this in senate,” Gonzalez said. “We want to make sure students with disabilities have someone advocating for them, whether that’s in classrooms, buildings or with transportation.”
The Cultural Affairs Committee is planning to focus next semester on addressing the state’s decision to scale back the RIPTA bus pass program, which previously served many students and staff with disabilities, according to Gonzalez.
The committee led outreach events this fall, including an ice and lemonade stand, which included free lemonade and red resource cards.
“It was a small idea that turned into something special,” Gonzalez said. “Students stopped by, asked questions and connected with us; that’s what senate is all about.”
In the spring, the senate plans to continue to update bylaws, improving student feedback and building stronger relationships with URI and surrounding communities, according to Gonzalez.
“For anyone who wants to get involved, there’s always a place for you here,” Rinne said. “Whether you run in the next election or just come to a meeting, your voice matters.”
The senate meets weekly on Wednesdays in Memorial Union Room 300, and all meetings are open to the public. Students can find more information about their college representatives and upcoming initiatives on the URI Student Senate’s website.
