The General Student Senate meeting on March 9 began with roll call and the approval of the previous meetings minutes by Senate Clerk John Cyr.
General Good and Welfare:
Vice President Zachary Wyles gave his Robert’s Rule item of the week, which was tabling indefinitely. This is used to kill a bill that senators no longer want to talk about so that it is not brought up again. One can move to bring it back from the table.
Executive reports:
President Harrison Ransley is meeting with Vice President for Student Life and Inclusive Excellence and Dean of Students Robert Dana this week, and urged senators to let him know about any ideas that they want to be brought up with Dean Dana. The Maine Day planning committee has been created and is looking for senators to join. Ransley will be meeting with the faculty senate to discuss changing the pass/fail policy currently in place, as well as restructuring billing for students. Wyles is working on all the same projects as Ransley, with the exception of trying to get the administration to add syllabus banking to MaineStreet and negotiating affordable textbook pricing. Vice President of Financial Affairs Jake Tauke discussed unallocated funds, as well as some funding requests. He commented that the president and vice president debates went very well. He has also been preparing for the annual audit and has received budgets from almost all clubs and organizations on campus. Vice President of Student Organizations Emma Willey will be having amendments coming through next week pertaining to preliminary recognition time. Vice President of Student Entertainment Chase Flaherty mentioned again that Terry Crews will be meeting with Dean Dana for a Q&A session on March 12. Spotlight Cinemas still have free tickets available for students. Advisor to the Student Government stand-in Heather Hogan is accepting nominations for student life leadership awards.
Periodic Reports:
Faculty Senate Student Representative Kylie Trawick reiterated that she will be meeting with the faculty senate this week, and if the senate wants anything brought up, they should let her know. University of Maine Board of Trustees Student Representative Abigail Despres won’t be able to attend meetings for a couple of weeks and is passing her position on to a new senator. Representative to the UMaine ROTC Austin Westfield said that Army and Navy ceremonies are still unsure if they will be meeting in person. Director of Communications Daniell Jarosz has been trying to promote the president and vice president elections.
Reports of Standing Committees:
The Marketing and Public Relations Committee will be having a meeting this week after a hiatus. The Membership Committee is trying to distribute gift cards for food to senators, as well as thank you cards. It is hoping to meet with the vice president to discuss T-shirt sizes. The Policy and Procedure Committee is proposing new resolutions regarding some paid positions.
Reports of Special Committees:
The Student Mental Health Committee is trying to launch a mentorship project and is looking for volunteers.
Representative Board Reports:
Interfraternity Council and Pan-Hellenic Council have been working on their social media presence, trying to appeal to the campus as a whole. The senior class council has been making preparations for senior week.
New Business:
A request to allocate $18,000 to the Maine Outing Club for various equipment expenses. This was approved by the senate.
The senate then went into executive session, and then shortly after, the senate adjourned.
