New Senators and Officer Appointments
Returning Senator Brian Silva was sworn in this week.
Executive Reports
President Mary Celeste-Floreani encouraged the Senate to attend the all-expenses-paid Student Government Association Conference on April 14 and 15. Black History Month will begin at the end of week, and there are several events in store. She met with the Honors College last Friday concerning the Maine Day meal pack-out, and will be attending a meeting this Thursday with Student Life regarding renovations.
Vice President Logan Aromando mentioned working on projects “behind the scenes” with President Floreani. He is currently working on student government recruitment.
Vice President for Financial Affairs Song Ping ‘Ryan’ Wong reported $354,394.08 in unallocated funds.
Vice President for Student Organizations Jacob Wood is preparing “Club Spotlights,” a series of weekly spotlights over 10 consecutive weeks for clubs that have improved or deserve recognition. This will improve the visibility of campus clubs so they can get more recognition, and boost the involvement of the student government.
Vice President for Student Entertainment Jared Dumas announced that the Minsky Recital Hall has been booked for an undisclosed event on Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. The act will be announced later this week. The Maine Day concert meeting will be held this Thursday morning. Dumas also announced a student discount code for tickets to Jim Gaffigan, who is coming to Bangor Cross Insurance Center on May 6. When ordering online, enter the code “HOTPOCKETS” for a substantial student discount.
Periodic Reports
While Samuel Borer will be unable to appear personally at future meetings, he will give his reports on paper. The University of Maine System and board of trustees has formed a task force to develop and improve the OneUniversity system. A policy on institutional authority on political matters is currently in the works, to ensure that opinions expressed by faculty are not interpreted as statements on behalf of the university or University of Maine System. $134 million has been raised as part of the UMaine Vision for Tomorrow Comprehensive Campaign. Drafting for the Engineering Education and Design Center is underway. The Student Representatives Roles Document has been updated. For questions on any of these subjects, please contact samuel.borer@maine.edu.
Fair Election Practices Committee is hammering out the details for Presidential and Vice Presidential elections.
Legal Services Liaison Maria Maffucci reported that Sean O’Mara is currently out sick, after an intense parental rights case in Southern Maine a few days ago.
Old Town Council will be holding Candidates Night on Feb. 13.
Director of Communications Miranda Roberts is handling the social media side of the “Club Spotlights” series.
Reports of Special Committees
The Maine Day Committee meeting will be held Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m.
President Floreani called on anyone interested to join the Pride Week Committee.
Representative Board Reports
Honors College Student Advisory Board is hosted a hot cocoa and snowflake making event during this meeting. Plans for the Maine Day meal pack-out are underway.
The Interfraternity Council will be holding a competition for the best fraternity flyers over Facebook.
Community Association Reports
The Student Heritage Alliance Council met with the Office of Multicultural Student Life to discuss a collaborative diversity event later in the semester. They have been welcoming the new presidents of the new groups.
Feminist Collective is holding a craft night, making condom and birth control cases out of duct tape.
New Business
Operation H.E.A.R.T.S requested $3,210 for housing and van rentals for its trips to Cleveland (May 13 to 20) and Presque Isle (Feb. 23 and 24). After debating three van rental companies with the senate, the motion was amended to $3,350 and passed.
UMSG, Inc. requested $6,500 for new office furniture and computers. The motion passed.
Student Heritage Alliance Council requested $500 to cover a screening fee for an Iranian art and culture documentary film at Minsky Recital Hall on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. The motion passed.
Spring semester nominations were finalized and elections began. Results are as follows:
Faculty Senate Representatives: Senator Chase Flaherty and Senator Bentley Simpson.
Student Legal Services Liaison: Maffucci.
Graduate School Representative: Senator Trevor Lessard.
Orono and Old Town Councils: Both won by Silva.
Membership: Senator Linh Phan.
Policy and Procedures: Lessard.
Political Activism: Senator Harrison Ransley.
Security Representative: Simpson.
Executive Budgetary Commission Representative: Senator Thomas Ling.
Student Organization Commission: Awaiting results.
Sergeant at Arms: Silva
