The Nov. 19, 2019 General Student Senate Meeting began with the approval of the Nov. 5 meeting minutes and agenda.
General Good and Welfare:
Vice President Chase Flaherty discussed the motion to commit with the Senate. This motion can be amended and a majority vote is required.
Club Maintenance:
The Badminton and Table Tennis Club and the Fly Fishing Club both came into the Senate seeking preliminary recognition. The Badminton Club was seeking recognition to obtain more equipment for the club and the Fly Fishing Club was seeking recognition to form a club that had a more specialized focus. Additionally, the UMaine Fly Fishing Club noted that the club does not meet as often as they had hoped to. This motion was passed for both clubs.
Club Presentations:
A representative from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers came to the Senate to discuss the National Conference the club recently attended in Orlando, Florida.
A representative from the Woodsmen Team came to the Senate to discuss the fall events and competitions that the club recently participated in.
Guest Speakers:
Doug Johnson, the director of the Counseling Center at the University of Maine and Touchstone resources came to the Senate to discuss the mental health of college students across the U.S. Johnson told the Senate about the current mental health crisis that college campuses are facing. He reported that UMaine participates in research anonymously and spoke on how he personally attends national conferences to stay up to date on new models. The information Johnson presented was well received by the Senate and generated a lot of conversation.
Executive Reports:
President Bentley Simpson reported that he will be meeting with the Graduate Student Government and he has sent in the final Executive Budgetary Committee request for the swingset. Lastly, he reported that on Dec. 3, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Robert Dana will be attending the Senate and there will be a Wabanaki mapping event.
Vice President Flaherty reported that the Senate photographs came out well and that there will be no Senate meeting next week due to the upcoming break.
Vice President for Financial Affairs Jack O’Donoghue reported the budget line added was to be allocated to the Sustainability and Environmental Actions Division and included costs for shirts and a dongle. The Office Budget of $200 was allocated to the Student Code of Conduct Oversight and Review Committee.
Vice President for Student Organizations Taylor Cray reported that the Student Organizations Committee meetings will be recorded and transcribed from now on. She also reported that relationship agreements are being edited.
Vice President for Student Entertainment Logan Aromando reported that he has meetings coming up for the ice rink and that the headliner for the Spring Concert has been booked but all other information is confidential at this point in the planning.
Periodic Reports:
University of Maine Board of Trustees Student Rep. Abby Despres reported that she had attended a board meeting at the University of Maine at Farmington. She also passed out a handout that contained more information on the unified accreditation.
Chair of Fair Election Practices Commission Matthew Akers reported that he is currently working on the bylaws.
Director of Communications Owen Vadala reported that all of the Senate headshots have been sent out.
Center for Undergrad Research Liaison Sara Imam reported that the committee met and open committee positions were discussed.
Reports of Standing Committees:
Marketing and Public Relations Rep. Owen Vadala reminded members of the Senate to come to the meetings.
Membership Rep. Zachary Wyles reported that the Senate will now be partnering with the Bears Den.
Representative Board Reports:
Commuter and Non-Traditional Students Rep. Ian Johnson reported that the last pancake breakfast of the semester is coming up.
Honors College Student Advisory Board Rep. Lauren Ryan reported that Donuts with the Dean went well and the Chipotle Fundraiser was a huge success for the Maine Day Meal Packout.
Interfraternity Council Rep. Andrew Arsenault reported that elections were held and winners will be announced soon.
Panhellenic Council Rep. Stephanie Poirier reported that the 2020 slate passed and the inductions will take place during the Greek Gala coming up.
Senior Class Council Rep. Joshua Minor reported that the OHOP event was a success and a raffle will be put on by the bookstore and Sugarloaf lift tickets will be available in the raffle.
Community Association Reports:
Student Heritage Alliance Rep. Anna Schaab reported that Multicultural Thanksgiving went well and there will be a Thanksgiving potluck coming up.
Feminist Collective Rep. Hannah Thomson reported that elections will be happening soon and the Abortion Outloud Showcase is coming up.
International Student Association Rep. Hannah Holbrook reported that Culture Fest went well.
Consent Agenda:
The 3D Printing club was allocated $425 for a Creality CR-10s Printer and the Student Conduct Oversight and Review Committee was allocated $200 for Office Budget.
New Business:
An act to modify the Standing Rules of the General Student Senate pertaining to the Reports of Special Committees to change the title University of Maine System Student Government Association Conference Planning Committee to Student Conduct Code Oversight and Review Committee and the Representative of the University of Maine Army ROTC to the Representative of the University of Maine ROTC, due to a need to review the language being used. Both resolutions were rejected by the Senate.
The meeting was then adjourned.
