The University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) convened for their weekly meeting in the Bangor Room of the University of Maine’s Memorial Union on Oct. 22. The meeting was conducted by UMSG President Keegan Tripp and Vice President Memphis Peterson.
Club Maintenance:
The UMaine American Marketing Association (AMA) sought preliminary recognition from UMSG. This club is a National Organization and was noted by the speaker to be in good standing. The club provides a platform for individuals who are passionate about marketing. Some members are marketing students, but it is not a requirement. AMA offers networking and new marketing skills that students can adopt outside of the classroom at The University of Maine. This club will be looking for funding for the National AMA Conference in New Orleans, and six to eight members would be joining this trip. Fundraising plans for the trip are currently in the works. The vote to grant AMA preliminary recognition passed unanimously.
The Birding Club also sought preliminary recognition from UMSG. The club meets every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Meetings are held to talk about anything related to birds. The first meeting this semester had over 60 students in attendance, and has hosted 30 to 40 members every meeting consecutively. No funding requests were made at this time from UMSG. The vote to grant the club preliminary recognition passed unanimously.
Finally, the American Red Cross club sought preliminary recognition. Their mission is to be an extension of the bigger organization of The Red Cross. This club does mostly volunteering and community service in the local area. The vote to grant the club preliminary recognition passed unanimously.
Guest Speaker:
The guest speaker this week was Dr. Michelle Rogers, who serves as Chief of Staff to President Joan Ferrini-Mundy at UMaine. Rogers touched on how she was a first generation college student.
“Navigating that experience for any of you that are a first generation college student is really challenging,” said Rogers.
She graduated from a state school in New York with a bachelor’s degree in English and public relations, and went on to get her masters in higher administration. Rogers got her doctorate in her 40s, and made it clear she was not the oldest person walking across that stage. Rogers also touched on her experience finding jobs.
“A lot of it was luck, but also, one of the pieces of advice I love to give my students that work for me is to never say no to an experience.”
Rogers wrapped up her speech urging students to apply for positions in the president’s office and to reach out to talk.
Students can contact Dr. Michelle Rogers through her office line: (207) 581-1554.
Executive Reports
Tripp discussed the March Against Domestic Violence on Oct. 18, mentioning that the event saw a great community turnout. Tripp also noted The Sustainability Council reached out looking for a member to sit on the council.
“Anybody environmentally motivated is urged to sit on the council,” said Tripp. He wrapped up his report with some hopeful and potential new parking updates to be made to the campus.
The UMSG meeting is held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Bangor Room in the Memorial Union for those who wish to attend. The meetings are also recorded and posted here.
