On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the General Student Senate (GSS) approved budgetary acts and finalized the recognition of several clubs. During this session, University of Maine Student Government president and vice president of GSS Alyssa Ciasullo also announced her leave from UMaine.
The Pre-Vet club and Type ONE-derful! Diabetes club appeared before the senate to receive final recognition as clubs. The senate voted unanimously in favor of recognizing the clubs.
Additionally, guest speakers Shane Smith and Cam McDonald appeared before the senate, representing Residence Life. If you have any issues or questions regarding residence life such as mechanical issues or interpersonal life please contact your RA or Shane Smith.
Policy and Procedure representative Keegan Tripp reported three resolutions coming to Poli-Pro: Dead Week, the Pinetree Resolution and expanding the representative Army ROTC position to include more military branches.
The Senior Class Council representative reported that if you are interested in joining a class council in classes 2025, 2026 or 2027, please contact Max Rich at max.rich@maine.edu.
Wilde Stein representative Kristina Belaya reported that there will be a drag show on April 1, as well as this year’s Lavender Prom which will be held on April 15. More information on both of these events will be forthcoming.
An act to allocate funds to the Student Construction Association in the amount of $3,600 for transportation and event registration for CONEXPO was brought before the senate and passed unanimously.
Lastly, student body president Alyssa Ciasullo discussed her departure.
“I want to start this off by saying this wasn’t at all an easy decision for me to make. To address the circulating rumors, I will no longer be running for re-election for student body president. I also have to tell you all that effective after Wednesday, and for personal reasons, I will be stepping down from my role as president of UMSG Inc. and withdrawing from the University of Maine,” Ciasullo said. “Recently, I have been forced to face the harsh realization that I have nothing left to give to this organization without further sacrificing my mental health and furthering the burden that I have been neglecting and ignoring. It would not be fair to this organization — that I love and care for deeply — to suffer when I can no longer give it my all. I have to take care of myself, and to get corny with you all, when you love something, you set it free.”
As a transfer student, Ciasullo found community in the student government and reflected on her time serving as student body president.
“I want everyone to know that these past three years in student government have been a wonderful experience, and I would not trade them for the world,” Ciasullo said. “ It was the greatest honor to be your president, regardless of the length of my term. It’s not a hearty Maine goodbye Black Bears, because you’ll never be able to truly get rid of me. It’s a hearty Maine see-you-later.”
Connor Bray will step in as student body president and appoint a new vice president soon.
