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A possible federal energy grant and University of Maine System Task Force evaluations of departments such as Information Technologies was summarized by Assistant Vice President for Student Entertainment Nate Wildes at the last General Student Senate meeting.
Wildes attended Feb. 9 meeting where the University of Maine System Chancellor Richard Pattenaude spoke. Wildes discussed the direction the university is headed in regard to consolidation.
He began by explaining that the federal energy grant is in the early stages and no final decisions have been made, but the grant would further energy alternatives on the campus.
The University of Maine System Task Force will look at the academic programs, university structure and the process of centralization where some current UMaine responsibilities will be transferred to the Systems Office. These responsibilities may include bookstore, IT and other purchasing centralization.
Wildes discussed concerns for the university regarding the loss of personal identity UMaine would experience through centralization. He said having only one representative on the task force to represent UMaine was unfair. According to Wildes, UMaine represent more than 50 percent of the system. Wildes also stressed student representation during the task force’s visit to campus on Feb. 24.
“This kind of thing happens once a century,” Wildes said.
He continued by clearing up the discussion around the consolidation of IT and referenced the chancellor’s comment that the FirstClass system was not taken away yet – a concern of some faculty and students.
Sen. James Lyons expressed concern student representation during the discussions for substantial changes happening at the university system.
“I’m strongly in favor of student representation both [in] on-campus and state-wide organizations such as the Board of Trustees,” he said.
Overall, the senate felt the energy grant will benefit the university and start UMaine on a path to utilizing better energy sources.
Vice President for Student Affairs Robert Dana spoke about the direction the campus was taking along with several projects to lift campus morale.
Dana began by addressing the importance of having a student representative to the Board of Trustees and explained the “strong voices” of the students would aid in bettering the university.
He noted the significant impact the senate had on President Robert Kennedy’s decision to stay at UMaine instead of taking a job at Kansas State University.
He spoke of the importance of keeping Kennedy during a national and local financial crisis for the strength and stability he will provide.
“He’ll see us through this crisis and any that come next,” Dana said.
He continued to discuss the atmosphere of the campus and how to boost student morale. In what he called a “de-funkification” meeting.
“People are in a funk,” he said. “We need to move campus to more lightheartedness.”
He finished his address to the senate by talking about reducing the amount of on-campus housing during breaks by one residence hall. He also discussed a suicide prevention grant of $300,000 to mount a suicide prevention campaign called the Touchstone Project.
Vice President for Student Organizations Samantha Shulman presented a resolution that would change the student organization approval policies. An unofficial committee has been meeting for about a month and is trying to become active.
Shulman presented a resolution that became friendlily amended after Lyons spoke about the resolution. These changes will not be enacted until the resolution passes.
Vice President Ross Wolland questioned the effectiveness of the policy of general consent.
“Votes should be put on record,” Wildes said.
“By having general consent, it’s not okay for 60 percent to ignore 40 percent,” Lyons said. “That’s not how democracies work,” Wildes added.
Debate continued over the extent to which certain senators speak throughout meetings.
“Being intimidated by this body doesn’t speak well of you at all,” said Sen. Adam Littlefield. Littlefield said senators who do not feel comfortable objecting should consider resigning their seats.
“It’s your duty to speak out when you don’t agree,” Sen. Rachel Schiffman said. “You are representing the student.”
Sen. Ben Goodman was appointed as a nominee for the student representation position on the Board of Trustees.
Two new senators, Jimmy Dealman and Rebecca Hutchinson, were sworn into senate.
