The University of Rhode Island student senate discussed the removal of Director of Communication Madison Kolterjahn, issues regarding senate communication and accusations of discrimination during its Wednesday meeting.
President Argha Goswami explained the process behind the former DOC’s removal, citing the failure to meet goals set by the executive committee.
Sen. Meilin Reyes expressed concern that the legislative branch was not notified prior to the removal.
“We don’t know what she actually did,” Reyes said. “I believe the general assembly should have had a say, or like a listen, into what it actually was.”
Goswami said she abided by the guidelines of the senate bylaws when removing Kolterjahn, asserting it was within her right to remove someone in the cabinet.
Sen. Lynn Sawyer suggested Goswami and senate Vice President Feroz send in weekly reports in their absence from general assembly meetings to allow for better communication, which Goswami supported.
Goswami also addressed gossip and racist rhetoric in the legislative branch, particularly in the last meeting’s executive session discussing senator absences.
“I got to know of a 40-minute discussion last week about people in a very dehumanizing way,” Goswami said. “I do not appreciate that being platformed in this room, specifically in regard to work ethic.”
Goswami said racist language was being used against her and Feroz. Aggressive, dictatorial and arrogant have all been used to describe herself and Feroz among the legislative branch, Goswami said.
The gossiping issue has also affected the judicial branch, Goswami said.
“I hope you guys recenter yourself, focus yourself and really ask yourself why you are in this space,” Goswami said.
Sen. Bitanya Hailu echoed the sentiment of her fellow senators.
“What we are doing right now is very disgraceful, more than [Goswami and Feroz] know about it,” Hailu said. “Every day I’m like ‘oh my God, why am I doing this?’”
The senate saw their second resignation in two meetings as Student Organization Committee Chair Joey Hook stepped down from his position, appointing Sen. Jack Stadtman in his place.
The senate entered an executive session to discuss potential university policy changes for 25 minutes.
Speaker of the Assembly Lauren Peckham canceled the next student senate general assembly on Nov. 6 due to the Election Day schedule change.
The next student senate meeting will take place on Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 300 of the Memorial Union.