The University of Rhode Island Student Senate swore in President Melian Quoira-Reyes and Vice President Bitanya Hailu for the 2025-2026 academic year and met for two separate meetings.
The senate met for their first meeting of the 2025-2026 academic year as well as an annual meeting recognizing graduating senators.
In their first meeting as president and vice president, Quoira-Reyes and Hailu reviewed initiatives for the upcoming year. The new administration’s goals included increasing pest control and preventative measures on campus, improving campus lighting, security cameras and parking, establishing “Blue Zones,” safe zones for underrepresented communities and expanding Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.
To close off the 2024-2025 academic year, senators engaged in the emotional tradition of ‘passing the gavel’ around the room to recognize their peers.
Sen. Sophia Buono, former Vice President Sanah Feroz and Speaker of the Assembly Lauren Peckham were among just a few of the graduating members who gave emotional accounts on how the student senate has impacted their lives.
“Being a part of the senate has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” Peckham said.
Recalling her campaign with former President Argha Goswami, Feroz said she kept a motto in mind.
“Ask why not,” Feroz said. “It makes you look at anything as something you can conquer.”
“Why not?” is a phrase Feroz said she encourages the student body to keep in mind in the new academic year and onward.
Sen. Buono ended her time at senate by giving a piece of advice to the student body.
“I used to think that courage was being loudly present, taking up space and putting your foot down,” Buono said. “I came to understand that sometimes courage is just choosing to stay curious.”
Peckham endorsed College of Engineering Rep. Cole Rinne to take on her role for the 2025-2026 school year. Sen. Andrew Ebrahimpour was endorsed by Sen. Clayton Roach for Speaker of Assembly.
Nominations for academic affairs, cultural affairs, student organizations, campus affairs and external affairs chairs opened.
Nominations for the speaker of the assembly and committee chairs will close at the next meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Union Room 300.
The senate’s last meeting will occur on April 30 at the same time.
