The University of Rhode Island Student Senate approved new student organizations, passed resolutions aimed at lowering student costs and began review of a $1.4 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Wednesday.
Following a campus living presentation from Housing and Dining officials Thomas Cooley and Pierre St-Germain, the senate moved through a packed agenda that included multiple pieces of legislation focused on student organizations and campus resources.
“We’re hearing you, we’re working with you, and we’re going to continue to work on making this better for our students,” Cooley said.
The senate passed a resolution to encourage faculty to reduce reliance on costly course materials.
The bill called on professors to adopt free or lower cost educational platforms in place of third-party systems and access codes which can cost students upwards of $100 per course, according to President Meilin Reyes.
“This is basically just calling for faculty and professors to better support the financial aspect of a student’s life,” Reyes said.
The senate unanimously approved a resolution urging URI Health Services to reinstate sick notes for students.
“Health Services stopped giving out sick notes over a year ago, [which] allows students to get out of trouble with their professors,” Chair Hudson said. “Sick notes did come in handy, when I was actually sick.”
The senate approved five new student organizations, each receiving initial funding and official recognition. The new recognized groups were Cooking with Rams, Let’s Talk About It, the Creative Writers Coalition, The Human Development and Family Science Club and the Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Student Association.
“They’re filling a niche which we feel like is not being built around campus, and we are granting them $50 in funding,” Student Organizations Chair Jacob Milner said.
Senators reviewed the proposed $1.4 million budget, discussing possible amendments and flagging inconsistencies within the allocation.
Reyes acknowledged the complexity of the process and encouraged senators to continue engaging before the final vote.
“I would highly encourage anyone with concerns, suggestions or questions to reach out,” Reyes said.
Final decisions on the budget and remaining business will take place at the next meeting, where newly elected members will be sworn in on Wednesday, April 1, in Room 300 in the Memorial Union.
