URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

February 25, 2015

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 B. ROLL CALL: Akinjisola, Bailey, Bennett, Boutmy, Bryan, Buck, Cicero, Cocozza, Cortez, Curtis, Duffy, Ferrara, Garcia, Gilligan, Glass, Hetland, Hill, Jones, Kidd, Kilduff, Kim, King, Maynard, McAteer, McIsaac, Medley, Montecalvo, Natowich, Ogbemudia-Pratt, Oliver, Pasquale, Patterson, Rode, Rossi, Schaffert, Solomon, Spillman, Stikeman, Tang, Teixeria, Uy, Van Loon, Walker, Wang, Yip, Zawatsky C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Approved D. READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Approved E. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Buck: Motion for the pledge Rode: 2nd Bruce: There’s a nationwide survey on student leadership. It’s a way for the University to get information about your college experience, especially with respect to leadership. You have opportunities to win prizes from URI and nationally. Gifts include gift cards amounting up to $500 and other incentives. This will give us a nationwide comparison of us compared to other schools and how we can improve. F. PUBLIC FORUM: Amanda Rode & Nick Hetland Hetland: Most of the Senators have been waiting for Amanda to take the throne for quite a while now. I think we’ll have a great administration and can’t wait to see what Amanda will do. I’ve never seen someone so emotional and attached to something and at the same time do a great job with it. She has so many ideas and I will be there to help her implement them. I’m sure you’ll have a great time with us and we’ll be very productive. Rode: Hi everyone, Nick and I want to formally announce that we are running for President and Vice President. We have plans to make URI better. We have goals for organizations and goals for the University as a whole. As I have grown in and with Senate, I feel ready to tackle this position. I’ve been on the By-Laws committee, I’ve been Campus Chair and now I’m SOARC Chair, so I feel well equipped. Nick and I have many plans for next year. There’s two things I really want to highlight for the upcoming year. Academic advising here is a very large problem. Academic advising is something that impacts all students. The University has tried to take action but nothing has really happened, so we hope to help. Students right here and right now need action to happen, so we hope to get advising by students for students. We also want to increase advertising space for student programs. We have all of these organizations putting on events with nowhere to advertise them. Many students don’t know about the events going on and as a result feel like the University is offering no events. We want to target high traffic areas to encourage the promotion of events. We have many more ideas which we will reveal later. Please come out and support us. Help get our names out and encourage others to vote. G. REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEES: - FINANCE COMMITTEE: Walker: Motion to move the Finance Report until after Campus Affairs Rode: 2nd A.

1

URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

February 25, 2015

Jump to SOARC Back to Finance Walker: Motion to move the Finance Report until after the Executive Report Rode: 2nd Jump to Executive Report Walker: Need a committee recommendation for Bill SS-15/16-14 6-0-0 Walker: This bill determines how the Finance committee will review the stipends of each group so that each group receives an equitable amount. It’s a very important bill. Finance will bring in the different stipended committees and break down their positions and how they should be financed. SS 15/16-104 BILL CALLING FOR THE REVIEW OF THE MONETARY VALUE OF ALL STIPENDED POSITIONS Whereas, the Finance Committee has been actively working on preparing the “2015-16 Budget,” and Whereas, the Finance Committee found that a vast portion of our budget is being used for stipends, and Whereas, the Finance Committee would like to investigate the value of each stipended position before the “2016-17 Budget”, therefore be it, Resolved, that the Finance Committee be allowed to review and adjust the monetary value of all stipended positions prior to the “2016-17 Budget.” SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: RECOMMENDATION: EXPIRATION DATE: ACTION: Approved

Finance Committee Chairman Anderson Wednesday, February 25th 2015 Passage (6-0-0) Valid Until Reviewed Vote Tonight

Walker: The rest are all bills to be voted on next week. The grant for the URI Photography club has a breakdown of the prices. They have no inventory right now and they need cameras, tripods, etc. Next is a bill for SAWA, who was budgeted for their hair show. ATR treehouse prices went up this year and they had to relocate their event to Edwards, so their expected expenses went up. We gave them the extra money to cover for the unexpected increase. Bruce: Will you use the traditional “if a group is happy with their budget then don’t put on the floor” concept? Anderson: Yes McIsaac: Why couldn’t SAWA use the ballroom? Bruce: Due to a conflicting conference scheduled for that time. Rode: Back to the Photography Bill, if they are taking pictures, why do they need a boom light? Anderson: It improves the quality and sound of photos; this is a great way in the long term to cut back on funding and improve their skills. McIsaac: Did the Photography Group have anything beforehand? This is a lot to ask for.

2

URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

February 25, 2015

Anderson: They had absolutely nothing. They have a lot of plans; they want to assist in the hair show, take professional Linked-in photos for people, etc. These assets that we are purchasing for the club will technically be for Senate, so this benefits us as well. Ogbemudia-Pratt: Is it only the ATR treehouse budget that changed? Anderson: That was the biggest change to the budget, along with the change to Edwards. Ogbemudia-Pratt: Aren’t the performers supposed to be free for SAWA’s show? Anderson: I will have to look into that. Regarding the other bills coming up, we have a Programming Grant for Club Tennis. Tennis is constantly growing; they have a severe lack of courts so members who pay fees are sitting around waiting for playing space. This grant will give them operating costs. Other than that, we’ve had the Billiards Club come see us. The sticks are broken and this club would like to compete with other schools. They want sticks that will last long and allow them to compete. The Gaming Club also came to us because they have broken remotes. Finally, the Culinary Club came to us and we paid for half their Funding. We will be paying bi-weekly, so we pay one week and they pay the next. They will be teaching students on campus how to cook various things. Rossi: Motion to change the date on all these bills from “Monday” to “Wednesday the 25th” Kidd: 2nd Approved SS 15/16-105 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY GRANT FOR THE URI PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB Whereas, the URI Photography Club is a funded and recognized organization, and Whereas, the organization is requesting funds to purchase new photography equipment, and Whereas, the group plans on using this equipment to improve their photography skills/ knowledge, as well as, serve other student groups that request photography services, therefore be it, Resolved, that the Senate grants the URI Photography Club a total of $2,515.00 Item:

Qty:

Price:

Canon DSLR Camera

1

$475.00

Nikon DSLR Camera

1

$500.00

Canon Lens

1

$500.00

Nikon Lens

1

$500.00

Sandisk Memory Cards

2

$36.00

12 mo/

$48.00

Revelli Tripod

5

$75.00

Newer Universal Flash

3

$120.00

Website

3

URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

February 25, 2015

Studio Lighting Kit

1

$60.00

Background Stand

1

$81.00

Background Paper

1

$65.00

Boom Mic

1

$55.00 $2,515.00

SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: RECOMMENDATION: EXPIRATION DATE: ACTION:

Finance Committee Chairman Anderson Monday Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 (5,0,0). Valid Until Reviewed Vote Next Week

SS 15/16-106 PROGRAMMING CONTINGENCY GRANT FOR STUDENT ALLIANCE FOR THE WELFARE OF AFRICA [SAWA] Whereas, the Student Alliance for the Welfare of Africa [SAWA] is a funded and recognized organization, and Whereas, the Finance Committee last year budgeting SAWA for their annual event the “Hairshow,” and Whereas, the venue was moved from the Memorial Union Ballroom to Edwards Hall, and Whereas, group required an additional $3,000.00 in order to pay for the event, therefore be it, Resolved, that the Senate grants SAWA a total of $3,000.00 for the “Hairshow.” Item: ATR Treehouse DJs Photographer Hair Products Videographer Hairstylists Designers Make Up Artists Fabric Performer Props Flyers, Design, Printing

Qty:

Price: 1 2 1 1 1 2 3

$5,030.00 $800.00 $450.00 $2,300.00 $250.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00

4 1 1

$1,150.00 $900.00 $450.00

1 500

$1,000.00 $500.00 $14,230.00 4

URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: RECOMMENDATION: EXPIRATION DATE: ACTION:

February 25, 2015

Finance Committee Chairman Anderson Monday Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 (5,0,0). Valid Until Reviewed Vote Next Week

SS 15/16-107 PROGRAMMING CONTINGENCY GRANT FOR URI CLUB TENNIS Whereas, the URI Club Tennis is a funded and recognized organization, and Whereas, the URI Club Tennis team has seen rapid expansion and requires the renting of more courts, therefore be it, Resolved, that the Senate grants URI Club Tennis a total of $1,875.50 SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: RECOMMENDATION: EXPIRATION DATE: ACTION:

Finance Committee Chairman Anderson Monday Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 (5,0,0). Valid Until Reviewed Vote Next Week

PROGRAMMING CONTINGENCY GRANT FOR BILLIARDS CLUB Whereas, the Billiards Club is a funded and recognized organization, and Whereas, the Billiards Club requires access to their own equipment, therefore be it, Resolved, that the Senate grants the Billiards Club a total of $240.00 SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: EXPIRATION DATE: ACTION:

Finance Committee Chairman Anderson Monday Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 Valid Until Reviewed Passed

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY GRANT FOR URI GAMING CLUB Whereas, the URI Gaming Club is a funded and recognized organization, and Whereas, the URI Gaming Club requires new Gamecube controllers for their Wii U, therefore be it, Resolved, that the Senate grants the Gaming Club a total of $150.00 SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: EXPIRATION DATE: ACTION:

Finance Committee Chairman Anderson Monday Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 Valid Until Reviewed Passed

PROGRAMMING CONTINGENCY GRANT FOR THE URI CULINARY CLUB 5

URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

February 25, 2015

Whereas, the URI Culinary Club is a funded and recognized organization, and Whereas, the URI Culinary Club requires start up funding to put on their culinary programming, therefore be it, Resolved, that the Senate grants the Culinary Club a total of $600.00 SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: EXPIRATION DATE: ACTION:

Finance Committee Chairman Anderson Monday Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 Valid Until Reviewed Passed

- STUDENT ORGANIZATION ADVISORY REVIEW COMMITTEE: Rode: We have four groups coming to us next week so be ready for that. SS-14/15-108 – BILL CALLING FOR THE RECOGNITION OF ACTIVELY MOVING FORWARD AS AN UNFUNDED STUDENT ORGANIZATION Whereas, The mission statement of Actively Moving Forward is, “The National Students of AMF Support Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting college students grieving the illness or death of a loved one. The purpose of AMF is help students work through their grief journey along side peers who understand. AMF is to lessen the burden and stress of grief and loneliness. One commonality between every member of the group has consistently been that they feel as if they are annoying their friends or being weak for their family. AMF is here to provide peace and hope. AMF also gives back to the community with services events at least once a semester while raising awareness of the needs associated with grief.”, and Whereas, Actively Moving Forward meets the requirements to be an unfunded student organization, and Whereas, it is custom for the senate to do so therefore, be it Resolved, The University of Rhode Island Student Senate recognizes Actively Moving Forward as an unfunded student organization. SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: RECOMMENDATION: EXPIRATION: ACTION:

SOARC Committee Chairwoman Rode Wednesday, February 25, 2015 ( 8- 0 - 0 ) Valid Until Next Re-Recognition Vote Next Week

SS-14/15-109 – BILL CALLING FOR THE RECOGNITION OF DOC OPP AS AN UNFUNDED STUDENT ORGANIZATION Whereas, The mission statement of Doc Opp is, “to prolong interest and dedication toward the pre-medical track offered to URI undergraduate students.... DocOpp can serve to preserve this interest. The organization can serve to educate undergraduate members about medical school admission requirements and preferences. This will transpire through weekly meetings, including occasional 6

URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

February 25, 2015

planned lectures by primary care physicians, specialists and medical school admission representatives. DocOpp will offer MCAT preparation, including scheduled MCAT practice exams as well as a predetermined extent of MCAT tutoring. DocOpp will work with local hospitals and medical facilities to coordinate a shadow network--addressing the expectation by many American medical schools that an undergrad applicant has, to some degree, shadowed in the clinic. The ultimate ambition of DocOpp is to clarify to interested students how medical school admissions operate and how they can achieve their goal of gaining admission into an M.D. or D.O. program after they have graduated from URI.” and Whereas, Doc Opp meets the requirements to be an unfunded student organization, and Whereas, it is custom for the senate to do so therefore, be it Resolved, The University of Rhode Island Student Senate recognizes Doc Opp as an unfunded student organization. SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: RECOMMENDATION: EXPIRATION: ACTION:

SOARC Committee Chairwoman Rode Wednesday, February 25, 2015 (8-0-0) Valid Until Next Re-Recognition Vote Next Week

SS-14/15-110 – BILL CALLING FOR THE RECOGNITION OF URI PERSIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION ORGANIZATION AS A FUNDED STUDENT ORGANIZATION Whereas, The URI Persian Student Association’s mission statement is, “The purpose of the Persian Student Association shall be to create a platform for Iranian students, and students interested in the Iranian culture and heritage, to engage in cultural activities and events. We aim to promote diversity in the URI community by increasing awareness and understanding of the Persian Culture through cultural events, musical performances, annual picnics, and other events of the sort. PSA is a non-political non-religious organization and only seeks to promote cultural awareness and appreciation.” and Whereas, the URI Persian Student Association meets the requirements to be a funded student organization, and Whereas, it is custom for the senate to do so therefore, be it Resolved, The University of Rhode Island Student Senate recognizes the URI Persian Student Association as funded organization. SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: RECOMMENDATION: EXPIRATION: ACTION:

SOARC Committee Chairwoman Rode Wednesday, February 25, 2015 (8 - 0 - 0 ) Valid Until next re-recognition Vote Next Week

7

URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

February 25, 2015

SS-14/15-111 – BILL CALLING FOR THE RECOGNITION VOLUNTEERS AROUND THE WORLD AS AN UNFUNDED STUDENT ORGANIZATION Whereas, The mission statement of Volunteers Around the World is, “Volunteers Around the World is a medical internship abroad in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil and Panama. Our focus is to enhance community infrastructure through improved education and access to more advanced medical treatment with a student run clinic.”, and Whereas, Volunteers Around the World meets the requirements to be an unfunded student organization, and Whereas, it is custom for the senate to do so therefore, be it Resolved, The University of Rhode Island Student Senate recognizes Volunteers Around the World as an unfunded student organization. SPONSOR: BILL HANDLER: DATE: RECOMMENDATION: EXPIRATION: ACTION:

SOARC Committee Chairwoman Rode Wednesday, February 25, 2015 ( 8- 0 - 0 ) Valid Until Next Re-Recognition Vote Next Week

- ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Zawatsky: No report - EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Kilduff: Committee met today and discussed a couple of things. Some updates on the Emporium: apparently the dirt lot and the Emporium are owned by the same guy, who also owns many other properties. So the Emporium is not his priority. We have been discussing ways to improve the Emporium. That’s our main topic right now. In addition, we are discussing other ideas. We have a lot coming up. - CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Patterson: To anyone that came, helped, or participated in Ace of Cakes, thank you. We raised about $230 for Rhody Outpost, a food bank in RI. Looking forward, we are in contact with Rhody Paws and are also planning a collaboration on campus. 1. CAMPUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Boutmy: Today I had a meeting with Lands and Grounds and Public Safety. Both groups want to work with us to reach out to students so if you are interested come to our committee meeting tomorrow at 6. Back to Finance Report - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: - Chief Information Officer Yip: Liaison reports are due. - Director of Communications Uy: If you have anything for the newsletter email it to me. - Director of Marketing& Recruitment -- Secretary Solomon: No report - Treasurer 8

URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES

February 25, 2015

Cicero: Fun fact: “The ice cream you see in ice cream ads is often mashed potatoes, since they will not melt during production.” - Vice President Hetland: Formal is this Friday at 7 and ends at 12. Come safe and have a good time. I need two more people for the Commencement Selection Committee. Finally, I would like to touch upon Senate etiquette. Whether we are in the chambers or in the office, it’s important to represent the university in the best way possible. It starts in the office and should be carried over here. Please be respectful when you are around Senate business. - President Maynard: We no longer have class on the Friday and Saturday before exams, so that is huge. Something I wanted to make you guys aware of was at the Faculty Senate Meeting, they approved to have the Faculty Executive Committee make changes to the Academic Calendar instead of having the entire Faculty Senate present. The only stipulation is that they must have an open forum 48 hours in advanced. After this meeting, we only have 3 meetings left as this Senate. We still have 3 meetings left so keep doing your job for the last month. It’s important that we act on behalf of the student body. Read the budgeting recs that have been sent out so that you can come to the budgeting meeting in two weeks more knowledgeable. Ask questions ahead of time; talk to Bruce, myself, or Cody and they will explain any issues you have. We really want to encourage a productive discussion of the budget. Back to Finance Report H. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Rules & Ethics Walker: No report Elections Committee Kidd: Next Tuesday in Atrium 1 from 6-8, the presidential candidates will be doing a Q&A. It will be very helpful and fun so please attend. It’s also in your By-Laws to sign up for Elections booths. Finally, I’ve sent out instruction sheets on how to run the Elections booths. If you are not running in this election, you can work the booth. I. SPECIAL ORDERS: J. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: K. NEW BUSINESS: L. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND OPEN FORUM: Cicero: The Cultural Committee has worked really hard to put on Ace of Cakes and I heard they did an amazing job, so congrats to them. This is now technically the 4th time that we’ve done this, so we are establishing a tradition here. Boutmy: Come support Chi Omega at our Fundraising event to help support our adopted child. Bruce: Please give a nice Senate hello to Maureen McDermont who will be standing in for me. N. ADJOURNMENT: 7:30 Akinjisola, Anderson, Bailey, Bennett, Boutmy, Bryan, Buck, Cicero, Cocozza, Cortez, Curtis, Duffy, Ferrara, Garcia, Gilligan, Glass, Hetland, Hill, Jones, Kidd, Kilduff, Kim, King, Maynard, McAteer, McIsaac, Medley, Montecalvo, Natowich, Ogbemudia-Pratt, Oliver, Pasquale, Patterson, Rode, Rossi, Schaffert, Solomon, Spillman, Stikeman, Tang, Teixeria, Uy, Van Loon, Walker, Wang, Yip, Zawatsky No vote: Cicero, Hetland, Maynard, Solomon, Uy, Yip 9