News

GSS refuses stance on TABOR II

Posted on Sept. 24, 2009, at 1:20 a.m.

TABOR II, also known as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, was a predominant topic of discussion at the Sept. 22 University of Maine General Student Senate meeting.

TABOR II, if passed, would require voter approval for state and local government overspending and increases in taxation. Senator Nate Wildes, head of the Legislative Relations Committee, said GSS does not exist to pass resolutions for or against TABOR II, but to “enable and educate [the student body] to make decisions. … We have to look out for the best interest of our constituency.”

Senator Nelson Carson agreed with Wildes, saying there should be no resolution for or against TABOR II in GSS.

Senator Benjamin Goodman shot back against The Maine Campus’ Sept. 21 opinion column by Michael Shepherd during Special Orders and Announcements.

“When I’m in this room serving [GSS], I’m not serving the Democratic Party — I’m serving the General Student Senate,” Goodman said. “We have an obligation to fight for issues that affect students’ lives at the University of Maine. And as long as I’m a member of [GSS], I’m going to fight for them.”

President Owen McCarthy said GSS has a new Web site, umainesg.com.

Vice President Ross Wolland reported “senate is officially full for the upcoming session,” with 35 nominees. The 31st session of GSS begins Oct. 6, with the swearing in of new members. All committee and chair position terms will reset Oct. 6.

Two resolutions brought before senate were referred to the Policy and Procedures Committee for debate: a resolution to revise the Fair Elections Process guidelines and a resolution to revise and update the financial policies of the University of Maine Student Government, Inc. Senate tabled both resolutions until the Sept. 29 meeting.

Vice President of Student Entertainment Abtin Mehdizadegan thanked all involved with last Friday’s Decemberists concert, calling it a huge success.

Senate elected Nyssa Gatcombe by secret ballot to Student Organization Committee and Angelica Allen is the Fair Election Practices Commission’s newest member. In Community Association representation, Emily Fortin, Student Women’s Association president, reminded GSS of SWA and Wilde Stein’s upcoming Take Back the Night event on Oct. 6.

Guest speakers included Laurie Sidelko, Director of the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education Programs and Alan Stormann, Assistant Director of Parking Services. In conjunction with GSS, Sidelko has implemented changes on campus this year targeting the risks associated with alcohol abuse. Stormann, also in conjunction with GSS, has helped implement a new program that streamlines the parking permit application process.

Sidelko described the Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan Policy, which was put into place Sept. 21.

“[It is serving] all of us as a community, protecting one another.” The Medical Amnesty Project coincides with Safety Week — a weeklong drug and alcohol awareness event sponsored in part by GSS and created after the death of UMaine student Dylan Lyford last winter, which involved alcohol.

“It’s a pilot project, not a policy,” Sidelko reminded the senate.

The project’s board will run data and statistics on a monthly basis and meet every Monday to review cases and determine amnesty for students. The Orono Police Department is currently uninvolved with the project.

Stormann spoke of cooperative efforts between UMaine Parking Services and GSS that culminated in an online parking permit application process used by 1,611 students this semester.

“That’s 1,611 sales that didn’t have to take place in student services,” he said in praise of GSS.

During the meeting, senate allocated $200 to Maine Masque, $250 to the Commuter and Nontraditional Students Association, $820 to the Cycling Club and $2,171.60 to the Equestrian Team.