The General Student Senate of the University of Maine Student Government, Inc. (UMSG) held its ninth meeting of the semester on March 25, led by President Keegan Tripp and chaired by Vice President Cynthia Shelmerdine. At this short post-break meeting of the Senate, President Tripp made some important updates regarding both internal and university-wide affairs.
Funding Requests
Black Bear Beekeepers received $5,314.01 in order to undertake a project to build a new shed where their bees will be housed.
Executive Reports
President Tripp began his report by congratulating Vice President Shelmerdine and Sen. Hazel Sparks on their election to the positions of President and Vice President, respectively, for the next session of UMSG. Shelmerdine and Sparks were unopposed, though a remedial election had been held after it was found that the software for the first round of tabulations had been compromised.
Tripp, who attended the university budget meeting on behalf of UMSG, relayed to senators that the university is likely to continue operating in a growing budget deficit if no changes are made to university finances. He said that UMaine’s budget is “clearly going to need a lot of changes” as the university is projected to face a $41 million cliff as soon as 2030. He also said that tuition is likely to increase 4% ahead of the next fiscal year.
New Business
The Senate passed a bill that clarifies certain aspects of the internal bylaws pertaining to those employees whose raises are tied to the Consumer Price Index.
