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University of Maine President Robert Kennedy spoke to the General Student Senate at the Feb. 24 meeting. Kennedy discussed several topics including the chancellor’s Task Force, the Tobacco Free Campus Committee, renovations for academic buildings and the future of the university.
Kennedy began by addressing the senate and thanking them for the resolution to ask him to stay at the university rather than take a potential job offer at Kansas State University.
“I don’t think there’s anything I treasure as much as what that resolution means to me,” Kennedy said.
Sen. Nate Wildes asked about cuts that will be made on campus through the University of Maine System Task Force.
“Are the funds that the Task Force are cutting separate from the funds individual departments cut?” Wildes asked.
“The chancellor’s goal for the Task Force is to find $40 million in savings. We will be doing this almost simultaneously with the Task Force,” Kennedy said.
Sen. James Lyons asked about the progress of the Tobacco Free Campus Committee.
“We need to make sure we are gathering information on campus and with the students,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Robert Dana, who accompanied Kennedy. “The discussion is ongoing. A recommendation will be made to the president on what he should do in the next four months.”
Wildes continued to ask questions to Kennedy about the future of the university.
“I was wondering, aside from the financial decision-making, what are your hopes for the next four or five years for the University of Maine?” Wildes asked.
“We spend a lot of time thinking and planning for that,” Kennedy said. “The next 12 to 18 months are going to be difficult with the national and state economy.”
Kennedy elaborated on “repositioning” UMaine with the University of Maine System. He has high hopes for the Task Force to improve the university along with setting goals to renovate campus buildings in the next four years.
Wildes then questioned Dana on his “defunkification” movement.
“We created new snow mountains for students to ski and snowboard,” Dana said. “I’m looking forward to more of the defunkification movement.”
During the General Good and Welfare portion of the meeting, James Varner, a 1957 UMaine graduate, spoke about a grant Bangor Savings Bank is providing and urged senators to use their votes to write in the Maine Human Rights Coalition. He began by addressing the importance of Black History month and the significance of this past election.
“I felt like I died and went to heaven when Barak Obama became president; I walk with a little extra bounce in my step,” Varner said.
In the New Business portion of senate, a main motion was suggested by Sen. Rebecca Hutchinson on behalf of the UMaine Equestrian Team. This motion moved to have $420 allocated to the team for lodging during a competition this Saturday. Equestrian Team President Rachel Henderson spoke on behalf of the organization.
“Unfortunately, horseback riding is an expensive sport. On average, each member spends over $300 a semester,” Henderson said.
A friendly amendment was made to allocate only $220; this did not pass. After more debate and voting, the original allocation of $420 passed.
Three new resolutions passed to allocate $1,521 for Maine Masque, $3,450 for Men’s Rugby and $4,500 for the University Singers. The resolution to allocate $4,400 for cheerleading was postponed by one academic week.
