The General Student Senate of the University of Maine Student Government, Inc. (UMSG) held its fourth meeting of the semester on Sept. 23, led by President Keegan Tripp and Vice President Cynthia Shelmerdine. At this meeting, UMSG continued its busy beginning-of-year activities by recognizing several new student organizations and passing multiple funding allocations for the upcoming semester.
Appointments and Resignations
Senator Vassar Harvey resigned.
Club Maintenance
Seven groups appeared in front of UMSG seeking either preliminary or final recognition as an official student organization. The groups which received recognition at this meeting were IGNITE (International and Global Network for Innovation, Trade and Education), which researches international trade and how it impacts Maine industry, DATUM, which is a professional development-oriented club for students interested in data science and data analytics, Fashion Club, the purpose of which is to allow students an outlet to express themselves through clothing and UMaine Turning Point USA, the local arm of the national conservative student activism organization which was founded by assassinated political figure Charlie Kirk. Girls Club Water Polo and the Muslim Students Association were also granted preliminary recognition. All groups were approved unanimously or with a singular abstention.
The Patch Entomology Club, a group named after prominent UMaine alumni (and dormitory namesake) Edith Patch — which aims to foster the professional development of those interested in entomology — received unanimous final recognition.
Guest Speakers
Title IX Student Services Graduate Assistant Quie Sigfried was the latest guest speaker invited by Vice President Shelmerdine. Sigfried explained the purpose of UMaine’s Title IX department and affirmed that Title IX was a resource available for students experiencing sexual assault, sex-based discrimination or dating violence. Sigfried also promoted upcoming Title IX events being held for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
Executive Reports
For his executive report, President Tripp announced some important impending changes being made at UMaine. Notably, the UMaine Student Wellness Resource Center (SWell) will no longer be providing the contraceptive medication Plan B due to new instructions from the university. In addition, Fogler Library staff will now be classed as non-essential and will not be required to come in on days when most campus services are closed. The library will also have reduced operating times and will be closed on all holidays during which the university is not holding classes.
Vice President of Financial Affairs Joshua Bohm reported that unallocated funding available in the UMSG budget stood at $423,849.87. Bohm also gave a slideshow presentation on the composition of the UMSG budget, which can be seen on the organization’s YouTube channel.
Vice President of Student Entertainment Dillon Leeman once again encouraged senators and other students to join his Student Entertainment Committee, noting that the committee would be planning a music festival and starting preliminary discussions around the spring concert.
Committee and Representative Board Reports
Mental Health Representative Casper Cowan delivered more information on the university removing Plan B from its provisioned items, stating that the loose plan is that the remaining boxes will be donated to the Mabel Wadsworth Center in Bangor. Cowan said that there are a number of student groups likely to retrieve these boxes in order to redistribute them in Orono and fill the gap being left by their removal from the SWell office.
The Senior Class Council will be holding its fall formal on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. in the Buchanan Alumni House to raise funds on behalf of the Class of 2026.
New Business
UMSG heard several resolutions dealing with financial allocations and modifications of internal rules. The internal resolutions — which involved streamlining additions to meeting agendas, resolution formatting rules and modifying policy documents related to the President’s Cabinet — all passed without much fanfare. A bill renaming and expanding the Mental Health Committee to the Holistic Health and Wellness Committee was also passed.
Another resolution brought by the Vice President Bohm was one which saw $2,175 allocated to the representative from the Sustainability and Environment Action Division (SEAD) for their services. Finally, UMSG submitted an official funding request to the UMaine Facilities Department asking for the installation of additional speed humps on Long Road and Sebago Road after several recent incidents involving pedestrians being struck by vehicles on these thoroughfares. Both resolutions were approved unanimously by the body.
