URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
A.
CALL TO ORDER:
6:32 PM
B. ROLL CALL:
Abbe, Ahrens, Almeida, Aronoff, Bedard, Bickham, Boiteau, Brown, Clarke,
Coates, Einhorn, Faustin, Gaudio, Ginsberg, Harrington, Holden, Holland, Holzman, Infusino, Inthisone,
Kearns, LaRocca, Luther, Lynch, McCormick, Meehan,
Messineo, Mingoia, Moss, O’Brien, Pelletier, Petit,
Prata, Rodrigues, Shah, Sinapi, Slater, Smith, Stein, Stewart, Stolow, Valenti, Walsh, Yensan
C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Change recommendations on bills SS-08/09-50 and on bill
SS-08/09-55. Because of the r
ecommendation put on bill SS-08/09-5
0, change the bill to failure.
D. READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MI
NUTES: change finance report from
last week to say $400 instead of $1400, minutes approved
E.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Petit
motions for pledge, Holden seconds, opposition, vote, passed
Ginsberg-
ZETA asked to read, Holly Anderton benefit, passed away from Liver cancer. Holding a pasta
dinner, tickets are 5 dollars each. All of the money ra
ised will help pay for a tombstone. Kingston church
across from upper college rd.
This Friday December 5
th
.
Shah-
Stephen Lynch, Ryan Center tomorrow, 10 dollars at 8pm tomorrow. Check him out on You Tube.
Holzman-
Dining halls have comment cards, very under utilized. Got a very nice thank you letter from
Butterfield. Only get two comment cards/day. We are on senate to make change, if you want to change in
the dining halls, fill out cards.
F. PUBLIC FORUM:
Lucas Lussier
–
RIPTA- Thank you for inviting me here, I’m a business analyst university
employee. Manage the RIPTA service on campus, brie
f overview of the current
service and what we are
looking to do for next year. Currently, 7 shuttles on campus, 4 with 211 Kingston connection line, main
route from parking lots through cen
ter of campus, accesses frat circle and keaney lots. 2 shuttles in
morning and afternoon and 2 in the evening. They have an 8 minute head way, there are traffic conditions
during certain times of the day, bus sometimes gets stuck in the traffic. We also have one additional
shuttle, 210 flex service, reservation based, anyone can ca
ll to be picked up and brought to their class. This
is highly utilized and scheduled before classes start. Th
at is filled within the first 2 weeks of the start of the
fall semester. We are looking into adding additional
service. We have 2 more, the campus hill climber,
one was added a year and a half ago to resolve overcrowding on plains rd lot. A lot of students use this to
go to memorial union and then to upper college rd. It used to only run from 830 to 1230 and last spring, we
continued to see additional overcrowding, this fall semester, we enacted a full day additional campus hill
climber. That runs until 530, accesses residence halls, uni
on and upper college rd. I invited ripta to be here
to talk more about the statewide service, I’m less fam
iliar with that but I can answer any questions. I spoke
to Amanda and I hope to have them here for next semester to answer any other questions. We also offer a
50% subsidy, students can purchases a bus pass in the union for half off to use throughout the state.
Clarke-
for the flex bus, is priority given to students with disabilities?
Lucas-
works just like any other ADA service, students with disabilities cannot be denied but priority is not
given. That is the same throughout the state.
Kearns-
Earlier in September, started a project about
signs to let students know about signs, I was
wondering how process is going and why hasn’t it been completed.
Lucas
– 2 separate issues, one is the actual bus stop signs, several have gone missing, ripta individuals have
been here since the 1
st
of December reinstalling signs that were
missing. I will get feedback from ripta
when that is complete.
Second issue- individual signs that show the actual bus stop locations throughout campus, looked at option
with ripta about individual time points.
Ripta has still been working on scheduled time points and back and forth about if they want to do it,
because of traffic, hard to stick to
but without time points, hard to enfo
rce timeliness with route for driver.
We have ordered the display cases to put the maps in at individual stops. Facilities is going to be installing
those over the winter break, the inserts are still up in the air and that is a ripta decision.
Adepoju-
Is it possible to get more stops, not more shuttles.
Lucas-
Yes, if you want to email me any stops you woul
d like to see added, that is a possibility, the more
stops along a route, the longer the trip gets. Each st
op is going to extend the time to travel around campus.
llussier@uri.edu
is my email address.
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
2
LaRocca-
Beginning of the year, second hill climber runs til 5:30. I am on campus mon-fri and have not
seen hill climber past 3. I was out at 5pm, at 5:15 a 211 went to Keaney and then no other shuttle came
down until 5:38. I have been getting diff
erent answers about the evening schedule.
Lucas-
evening schedule starts at 6:30, there is a lapse between 5:30 and 6:30 when we switch. The
campus hill climber runs until 5:30. It goes to about a 15 minute headway for the campus hill climber. The
majority of the issue is that there is a new driver on
campus that is unfamiliar with the route, ripta will send
someone down who can help them out. Attention can be brought to me or parking services.
Harrington-
Is there any set time during your week that you are in your office?
Lucas-
I am not always in my office, I always do respond
by email, that is the best way to reach me. New
service we are looking at for next fall, express servi
ce to eastward look, negotiations with ri dept of env
management to utilize beach parking lot. We will have a direct shuttle from that lot and be able to board
the shuttle to campus. That would be a shuttle that comes every 40 to 50 mins. We are also looking at the
possibility of a night shuttle to go to south county area, mews and casey’s.
Petit-
Motion to extend the time un
til all questions are answered.
LaRocca
seconds.
Yensan-
One in particular point, the traffic situation on campus, 25,000 vehicles entering and leaving, and
then drivers being new to the program. The 3 times that I have actually spoken to drivers, first time on the
job, I think one of the things we can work on, stacking up of the busses.
Lucas
– We call it bunching, another issue is construction.
You will get a bus caught up in traffic. 8 minute
headway gets reduced when busses catch up with one another. The bus behind wants to stop and let the
first one go forward. That’s often
difficult because there are people who n
eed to get to class. It happens
elsewhere throughout the state as well, it does affect the
schedule. The best thing to do is look at where the
congestion occurs and see if we can solve those issues.
Slater-
Unofficial numbers for when the busses should show up at each stop?
Lucas
– They aren’t always accurate depending on traffi
c, if you are at plains rd, we have the two 211
busses services and the hill climbers, the wait should be between 6-8 mins. The times are all posted on
parking services website. If you go to the Kingston connection. When they finally do the sign, it will say
approximately what time.
Brown-
We have people who are concerned about routes, about fiscal development, particularly internal to
the campus but also external?
Lucas-
We don’t have any plans to cut internal, 6 of 7 on campus are funded by transportation fee, one of
the hill climbers is fully supported by Ripta, no cuts ex
pected of our on campus service. Only one cut that
was going to affect the university but just heard
cut is not going to happen, 64 service, Middletown
Newport shuttle to the university. Average of 8 riders a
day which is very low. Generally faculty and staff.
As of late august, had decided to cut as of Jan 1
st
. My contact thought that would be overturned and I have
heard that that service will not be cut. Planning to add another providence to uri shuttle for next fall
semester.
Adepoju
– As far as off campus, we also have off campus students coming from providence, are their any
incentives as far as fairs.
Lucas
– subsidiaries we already offer, highly used providence to URI, sometimes on Fridays, students are
denied rides on the bus because there are so many pe
ople. For the month pass, it is 45, so university
students only have to pay 22.50. For the 15, it is also half price, also can buy a one time use pass.
Petit-
What are you doing to hold bus drivers accountable?
Lucas
– any info I pass onto ripta, most hopefully if I have bus number, license plate number, send to ripta
and shift manager usually meets with them when they return to ripta, I usually get an email response to the
situation. We once had a driver curse at an individual, individual got number and it was followed up,
driver was reprimanded.
If anyone has any suggestions for anything else, feel free to email me.
G. REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEES:
– FINANCE COMMITTEE:
SS-08/09-49 CONTINGENCY GRANT REQUEST FOR HILLEL
Whereas,
Hillel is a Senate reco
gnized organization, and
Whereas,
Hillel would like to hold a programming event on campus, and
Whereas,
it is within their mission statement to do so, and
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
3
Whereas,
Hillel would like money to help cover the costs of the event, and
Whereas,
this request is within the finance policy of the Senate and it is the Senate’s custom to grant such
requests, therefore be it
Resolved,
that the Student Senate grant $1,800.00 from our Programming Contingency to the Category
#130 (Programming) line in the budget of Hillel.
SPONSOR: Finance Committee
BILL HANDLER: Chairman Petit
DATE: Wednesday, December 3
rd
, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: Passage (5-0-0)
EXPIRATION DATE: Upon Dispensation
ACTION: Passed
Petit
motions for immediate, Ginsberg seconds.
Holzman-
Hillel wants to bring in music group of African
American and Jewish individuals. They do a
mix of music. 3 programs over 2 days, Utilizing fine
arts for one of the programs. We will be charging
admission. 3 dollars for students and 10 for non students. We have gotten a lot of co-sponsorship money
but are still a bit short.
Yensan
– I am not active in Hillel, they throw serious events
, they advertise on faceboo
k. Let’s support this
and try to make this unanimous. They do a very good job and spend senate’s money very well.
Aronoff-
I am a member now, we should support as well, they reach out toward everyone. They hold
events all the time, they have
weekly dinners. They are
for the entire URI community.
Clarke
– When is the event and how much?
Holzman-
First is Thursday, January 29
th
, concert is Thursday night, wed evening as well is the workshop.
The workshop and convocation are
free. The concert is 3 for stud
ents and 10 for non students.
Holden motions to vote and Gorman seconds.
Abstentions from senator Holzman, Ginsberg, Aronoff.
SS-08/09-50 CONTINGENCY GRANT REQUEST FOR 500 Family
Whereas,
500 Family is a Senate recognized organization, and
Whereas,
500 Family would like to hold a programming event on campus, and
Whereas,
500 Family would like money to help cover the costs of the event, and
Whereas,
this request is within the finance policy of the Senate and it is the Senate’s custom to grant such
requests, therefore be it
Resolved,
that the Student Senate grant $3,000.00 from our Programming Contingency to the Category
#130 (Programming) line in the budget of 500 Family.
SPONSOR: Finance Committee
BILL HANDLER: Chairman Petit
DATE: Wednesday, December 3
rd
, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: Failure (1-3-0 )
EXPIRATION DATE: Upon Dispensation
ACTION: Passed
Monday- 500 family came to finance asking for 10,000
. Finance denied and they appealed to exec. Exec
decided on 3000 and it would come to full floor for a vote. It has a recommendation for failure.
Petit
– motioned for immediate consideration and holden seconds.
Vice president of 500 family-
summary of what we are planning on doing, February 13
th
, pre-valentines
day show with Ginuwine cosponsors with pink, sec, senate and hearing from panhel. We are
trying to cosponsor with a lot of female orgs.
The artists is Ginuwine, he has been out for
about 10 years now, February 13
th
.
Adepoju
– The reason we want Ginuwine, really great marketing scheme, as far as co sponsorship, we have
gotten go ahead from all except panhel so far. Incorporation 6 orgs that may not work with
each other generally. 500 family
is going through with mission st
atement. ASA, Pink women,
SEC, PRS, we found a common interest through entertainment. We are looking for a very
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
4
successful show. We feel as though this is can’
t lose. Ginuwine is a very universal artist.
Please vote to approve this bill.
Ginsberg
– To Petit- reading the language of the bill, why is
there no whereas that says it is within mission
statement.
Petit
– We brought it up in finance, felt it was not really in their mission statement, our understanding was
to bring groups together and then do programming not program themselves and then bring
groups.
Clarke-
I can only think that this even
t will be successful, I th
ink they will succeed in bringing out people
to the concert.
Ahrens-
We are also going to try to do events as senate to raise some money with them. We have a bunch
of groups and feel confident in being able to se
ll out this show. Won’t be that difficult of a
challenge. Ginuwine has all different genres. 500
family is doing a really good job promoting.
We have always wanted to promote weekend programming, this is a great way.
Adepoju-
Go off of what Allen mentioned about mission statement, it was never asked at finance, they
never asked what exactly we were doing with the show. The 500 family, we are basically
setting up this so these orgs can work the show. The 500 family will not be as hands on
because the other orgs will be taking over. We
are having a show and after party, pink women
will be running the after party, hopefully panhel and asa will help put on the show. We want to
structure it so others can facilitate.
Harrington
– originally asked for 1000, can you run the show with only 3000 or where are you going to get
the rest of the money.
Adepoju-
Finance was not able to full give the 1000, first time finance has given the money, giving 3000,
through Bruce and Allen, came up with notion, if we can get 7500 of show set and in our
hands, would override the 10000 to day of show, as soon as ticket sales start, and have the extra
2500, will sign the contract. The other 2000 is coming from student senate co sponsorship.
Coates-
Ball park figures on admission, 18 for students and 30 for others.
Adepoju-
generally 25,000 dropped down to 10,000
Slater-
orgs that wouldn’t normally work together are working together, by blocking this, would probably
do more harm, just give it a chance, facilitating an event, wouldn’t be fair to not give them the
chance.
Ginsberg-
Other orgs you are working with are facilitating,
you are just brining them together, why aren’t
the other orgs coming for the money to do their part of the event. Normally the group asking
for money is the group facilitating the event.
Adepoju-
Some of the orgs we are working
with aren’t level 2 or 3. We didn’t want to drain the accounts
of the bigger orgs, we want to have it set up for them to get the show actually rolling and show
them that these orgs can work together in the future. We don’t’ want the ball to fall just on
these orgs.
Rep
– Although we are just recently organized as a group, we have had other events. We are trying to teach
other orgs how to have an event like this. We pass it on to other orgs. We asked pink women
if they would like to facilitate
the after party, because we are
going to be handling the actual
show. We still have an active role in every aspect of the show, giving other orgs a chance.
Brown-
2 part question, how much if any co-sponsorship money if any has been put forth, how much will
500 family stand to gain.
Rep-
As of right now, we have about 5000, we are anticipating a revenue large enough for an event this
Saturday, hope to be able to pay back loan, we aren’t looking to make a huge profit but to be
able to pay for everything and give back the contingency money.
Ahrens
– Talking to Lowell, hoping to generate a profit so they don’t have to come to us for large amounts
of money, hoping to be self sufficient, I feel
fully confident that we will be paid back.
Adepoju
– If we sell out Edwards with all URI students, we would make about 16000, we would need about
3000 to give back to senate.
Vote- abstentions from Adepoju, Brown, Inthisone
Bill Passes
SS-08/09-51 – TAX GRANT RE
QUEST FOR STUDENT SENATE
Whereas,
Student Senate funded the creation of the URI Challenge Course in 2000, and
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
5
Whereas,
the purpose of the course was to benefit the student body and be at no cost to Student Senate
groups, and
Whereas,
the usage of the course has in
creased by hundreds each year an
d this demand is expected to
continue to increase, and
Whereas,
there is a request to expand upon the URI Challenge Course to allow for opportunities for URI
students to fulfill the increased demand, and
Whereas,
this request is within the finance policy of the Senate and it is the Senate’s custom to grant such
requests, therefore be it,
Resolved,
that the Student Senate grant $25,000 from our Activities Tax to the Student Senate’s budget and
therefore be it also,
Resolved,
that the URI Challenge Course be available free
of charge to all URI st
udent recognized groups.
SPONSOR: Finance Committee
BILL HANDLER: Chairman Petit
DATE: Wednesday, December 3
rd
, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: Passage (4-0-0)
EXPIRATION DATE: Upon Dispensation
ACTION: Passed
Petit- One more thing, voted on first meeting we get back, bill explains it, I have a copy of the proposal. I
can pass it around now or leave it on table in th
e office to be reviewed. Talk to myself or
anyone on the committee. Melissa Boyd and staff w
ill be coming to answer more in detail. She
will have a presentation about it. Talk to myself and committee beforehand. I just need to see
finance committee after the meeting.
–
STUDENT ORGANIZATION
ADVISORY AND REVIEW
COMMITTEE (SOARC):
SS-08/09-47 Bill Calling for the Recognition of
URI Physical Educatio
n Club at Level 4
Whereas,
the purpose URI PE Club is to raise money for
physical education works
hops and reach out to the
community by providing information about physical education and health sciences, and
Whereas
, URI PE Club meets the requirements for recognition at level 4, and
Whereas
, it is the custom of the Student Senate to do so, therefore be it
Resolved
that the URI Student Senate recognize URI PE Club.
SPONSOR: SOARC
BILL HANDLER: Chairwoman Clarke
DATE: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: Passage (5-0-0)
EXPIRATION: Valid Until Next Re-Recognition
ACTION: Passed
Clarke-
one bill
Rep-
Treasurer, going to be a professional development, we want to raise funds to attend events held by
physical educators community. Want to network for personal reasons and support URI’s program. Most
schools have a club like this, most people have their names out there. People aren’t recognizing our
program. We want to do things for the community, hoping to get food drive going and get after school
programs for kids to stay after.
Clarke-
Really beneficial to be recognized, will be able to get meetings rooms, more members and take out
booths.
Yensan-
More of a comment, going to elementary schools, I think you should try to get college students to
be more active. A large percentage is not being active.
Rep-
Some of our fundraisers, help college students get active, family fun night, all of the fundraisers
geared toward college students.
Ginsberg-
motion to previous question, second by Harrington.
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
6
Vote- Passed
SS-08/09-52 Bill Calling for the Recognition of
the URI Field Hockey Club at Level 3
Whereas
, the URI Field Hockey Club will provide an outlet to practice, play and compete in the Northeast
Division on a field hockey team, and
Whereas
, the URI Field Hockey Club meets the requ
irements for recognition at level 3, and
Whereas
, it is custom of the Student Senate to do so, therefore be it
Resolved
that the URI Student Senate recogn
izes the URI Field Hockey Club.
SPONSOR: SOARC
BILL HANDLER: Chairwoman Clarke
DATE: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: Passage (8-0-1)
EXPIRATION: Valid Until Next Re-Recognition
ACTION: Vote Next Week
SS-08/09-53 Bill Calling for the Recognition of th
e Human Development and
Family Studies Club
(HDF Club) at Level 4
Whereas,
the HDF Club will provide professional developmen
t support, social networking for students and
provide opportunities for student
s interested in HDF to supp
ort each other academically, and
Whereas
, the HDF Club meets the
requirements for recognition at level 4, and
Whereas
, it is custom of the Student Senate to do so, therefore be it
Resolved
that the URI Student Senate
recognizes the HDF Club.
SPONSOR: SOARC
BILL HANDLER: Chairwoman Clarke
DATE: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: Passage (9-0-0)
EXPIRATION: Valid Until Next Re-Recognition
ACTION: Vote Next Week
SS-08/09-54 Bill Calling for the Recognitio
n of the URI Car Club at Level 3
Whereas
, the URI Car Club will unite car enthusiasts with
in the URI community through weekly meetings
to discuss car appreciation and plan as well as host car shows, and
Whereas
, the URI Car Club meets the requirements for recognition at level 3, and
Whereas
, it is custom of the Student Senate to do so, therefore be it
Resolved
that the URI Student Senate
recognizes the URI Car Club.
SPONSOR: SOARC
BILL HANDLER: Chairwoman Clarke
DATE: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: Passage (9-0-0)
EXPIRATION: Valid Until Next Re-Recognition
ACTION: Vote Next Week
Clarke-
3 more bills to be voted on first Wednesday when we get back. A few announcements, hoping to
have meetings Mondays at 5:30 in room 314. Announcement to general senate, when a group comes in to
hand in recognition paperwork, remind them they need to sign up for a SOARC meeting.
– ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Stolow-
Last week we had a meeting
with provost DeHayes to talk about changing the gen ed programs. Really great ideas from students.
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
7
Everyone should come to these meetings. We just had the last meeting but next semester they will
come out. I’ve yet to get in contact with paul about the bookstore. I will stop by tomorrow, I’ve been
busy. Hopefully more teachers have submitted books.
I’ll send an email. Besides that my committee
needs to give me availability for next semester.
Larocca –
please pass on my suggestion that American
sign language should be counted as a language
in gen eds
Stolow –
sure
– EXTERNAL AFFA
IRS COMMITTEE: O’Brien-
The bus isn’t cancelled. Got
emails from ripta, Working to get together a booklet of everything we do as a student body, going
to present to coalition, that is our big project.
– CULTURAL AFFAIRS
COMMITTTEE: Adepoju-
Gingerbread houses are
freaking beautiful! Voting was great, 60 to 70 people voting on the houses, hoping that people
vote tomorrow, maybe about 150 votes. Thank my
committee for helping me out. Cultural affairs
next program with soarc, inauguration on January 20
th
, ballroom if possible. Rhody Market if
possible or TV and food. Meeting time next Monday, schedules leave in my mailbox. No other
announcements, you are all beautiful
, hope to see you next semester.
– CAMPUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: LaRocca-
Please let me know if you think
of anything else for ripta, I can pass questions on to him or you can use his email address.
Committee, you gave me schedules. Ellery pond, when we come back, going to finalize plans for
chunk of land to be utilized. If you know any
one who is an art major or landscape architecture,
we need artist renderings or a URI alum. Pref
erably someone who is there right now.
Ginsberg-
If we know the artists, should they contact you?
LaRocca-
Yes and they can join the Ellery pond restora
tion project. If you are friends with me or
officer mark.
Clarke-
For the pictures, do you want there designs?
LaRocca-
We are going to get the technical stuff but will give them something to be able to
approve the plans and have them work something out.
– EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
SS-08/09-55 Bill Calling for the Student Senate
s Response to the Offensive Images &
Descriptions of President elect Barack Obama
Whereas,
in the past two months, on three separate occas
ions; there have been offensive descriptions and
images that have been brought to
the attention of the University, about
the President elect Barack Obama,
and
Whereas,
these comments and images represent a disregar
d and lack of respect fo
r not only the President
elect Barack Obama, but to the University of Rhode Island Community and our Nation, and
Whereas,
the Student Senate acknowledges
every individuals right to their freedom of speech and believes
these rights should not be infringed upon, and
Whereas,
the Student Senate also understands and does feel
that actions such as these cannot and will not
be supported by the University of Rhode Island Student Senate, therefore be it
Resolved,
that The University of Rhode Island Student Senate disapproves of the actions taken by these
individuals, and does not condones these behaviors; an
d will raise awareness to avoid similar behaviors in
the future.
SPONSOR: Executive Committee
BILL HANDLER: Chairman Adepoju
DATE: Wednesday, Dec. 3
rd
, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: (9-0-1)
EXPIRATION: In Perpetuity
ACTION: Passed
Adepoju-
Bill is talking about some of the offensive images or actions about president elect Obama.
Someone drew a picture of Obama with negative words in one of my classes. I wanted to put a bill on the
floor to show how we feel as students. If you
read the bill, it is simple and very basic.
Clarke-
motions for immediate consideration, Ginsberg seconds.
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
8
Coates-
I realize that we don’t live in a wo
rld that is free of racism, it surpri
ses me that we are feeding into
these incidents when people like this are looking for attention, I was surprised that things here made the
local news. I understand why the bill was written, and
I understand the reference to events. Where does a
lack of respect begin and end. If this was a bill that condemned hate speech without regard to one
individual but I don’t think it should specifically be about Obama.
Ahrens-
The reason this bill was brought up was because of specific events with Obama, the reason it says
for not only president elect, discussing any sorts of pr
ejudice or racism being co
mpletely inappropriate.
We are dealing with things that are going on directly,
things that directly imp
act URI students, state our
point that we do not accept what is going on, we are go
ing to be reps saying that people are open, welcome
and diverse. It is much broader than one person and sending an important message to the campus.
Ginsberg –
agree with Coates, president elect Obama was not
the only one this semester to have something
done against him. I think the bill should be overall and not have a specific name.
Adepoju-
As far as what was said about Obama, not about
his character, about his physical features, in
class, called him a monkey, different if talking about his
personality or education.
I feel that this uncalled
for to talk about his physical features. This bill is
calling for student senate to not support actions toward
anyone on campus.
Yensan-
Huge issue recent, phrase post raci
al society in America, discussed
in class, be careful when using
the phrase, racism is not gone because of who has been
elected president, just want
to say openly, if you are
going to gain in this type of racist activity, you don’t
belong at uri, at any institution and we don’t want you
here.
Brown-
Perspective to agree with both Ahrens and Coates, language does commentate politics,
understanding the nature of conflict at hand because
of the direct target, havi
ng difficulty seeing the
immediacy, reflects larger body of th
e racist sentiment on campus. We should all come to an agreement,
however I consider that this might be beyond the scope of our power. We maybe should be looking at the
broader scope but with this bill, looking at president.
Petit-
We should maybe amend the bill to take on a broader scope rather than just this one incident.
Ginsberg-
I also agree that it should not say this person, throughout the bill, should talk about all of the
cases of racism, be against racist act
s and not just against the one person.
Adepoju-
in the bill it does not say racist acts, just says
disrespectful, as far as incidents with president
elect, not just rumors, brought to highest powers of our university and in newspapers. Not just minor
incidents, I have not heard any about John McCain, not
to say that it was because of race, for the most part,
brought to light because it was disresp
ectful. I did not hear of anything
else, if I had heard, it would be
about all political candidates. For the most part, thes
e disrespectful actions are
not appropriate and should
not be fed through the university.
Ginsberg-
What I was referring to wa
s Zionism and September 11
th
, also brought up to provost and VP
Dougan.
Ahrens-
Bill was created based on these specific events. It is not rare for us to talk about things that
specifically happen. Just because there are bigger issu
es, this particular bill is based on the 3 separate
incidents concerning Obama. I feel confident to pass
this bill because we are in the press about racial
tension on campus because th
ese specific incidents were inappropriate.
If we want to do another bill about
other issues, we can do another bill. This bill is about particular things.
Yensan-
Max and President Ahrens just nailed it. It is
about a specific incident. If we want to make
another bill about racist activity, then I will support it 100%.
O’Brien-
The way I see this bill, it is a specific thing that
we are going against. We should be combating
these things. It should be implied that we do not support racist acts. I think this bill is just letting people
know about specific incidents.
Coates-
If we are not talking about racist actions and
are talking about disres
pectful ones, chairman
Adepoju talked about the pictures, Newsweek ran an issue with our president as a monkey. If we aren’t
going to come out against hate speech, I don’t think this bill should be in the front of us.
Adepoju-
Newsweek is not an organization at URI. I put this on the floor to speak about senate’s actions.
As far as my being the cultural affairs chair, this bill is about incidents on our campus.
Ginsberg-
Agree with Coates, don’t see a reason why this bill should be on the floor. I think a letter to the
editor would have sufficed what we wanted. Would have given people a chance to talk about this.
Motion to vote by Adepoju
Opposition, vote, bill passed.
Abstention from senator Brown.
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
9
a. Director of Communications- Simon-
not here, just leave a note
for her if you have anything for newsletter.
b.
Secretary-Pelletier
Kudos to Yvens Faustin for gingerbread work,
Have a great break and Holidays.
c.
Treasurer- Shah-
Put notes with receipts, there are 3 random ones,
I have no idea what they are, I
am not going to pay those until I
know what they are. Good luck on your finals.
d.
Vice President-Bedard
Last meeting, going to try to keep every bad job
aspect out of my report. Formal is Tuesday, I gave Amalfi an official number so
if you haven’t paid, you are not going. We have exactly 60 people between
ourselves and SEC. If you live on campus, bu
s circle at 6:30 to amalfi. If you
live off campus, you are responsible for yourself. Our DJ is former COO Kevin
Sullivan.
Only December meeting, Brianna Valenti,
Tom Sibbald, Nicole Pelletier and Steve
Boiteau Happy Birthday!!
Last meeting of the semester, do your office hours, you are not required after next
week. Committees, you are not required to ha
ve more meetings except for this week.
Because it is the last meeting, going to A
pplebee’s after the meeti
ng. Good luck on
finals. Happy Holidays, Have a Safe Break!!
Aronoff- No office hours next week?
Bedard- You just need to do one before Friday if you haven’t done one since
Monday. After Friday, not checking but still encourage you to do hours.
Petit- Just so you know, Kim is going to be working on the website during finals, if
you have any suggestions, bring them up to her. If you are good with making
websites, I am sure she woul
d appreciate that help.
f. President-Ahrens
Last meeting of the year, hope everyone is doing well in
classes, tomorrow morning at 7am, will be in the front of the union selling PC
tickets. If you want tickets, first come first serve basis, game is Saturday at 2pm in
providence. Following night, Friday night, sponsorship with black ice, event til 3am,
dance, 2 canned food items. Going to go to Juelia and Maxwell for our canned food
drive. Thursday night, over at Bobby G’s with Beta, collecting more food items.
Beginning of the year, set some accomplishm
ents, we have had a fairly successful
year, battle of the bands, tentville, dona
ted 250 to ADA, fought tuition increases,
Maxwell had vote or die, rerec happened
flawlessly, lawsuit still going on, Ellery
pond service project and canned food drive. Started off campus programming.
White out with PRS. Academic affairs is
aggressively going after SETS. Having
formal, did gingerbread house competition and had a retreat. Really good semester, I
am sure there is a lot more that I am forgetting. Great job everyone. We have it set
up so when we return from break, first men’s and women’s game will be URI
sponsored game, will have a chance to talk to during half time, also going to be
handling a half time musical chairs competition. If you are around during winter
break, going to be going over student BOG and senate’s role with other senates at RI
schools. With tuition increases and presid
ential search, be a more active role earlier
in the process. I’ll be here all winter. Be safe and have a great holiday.
– RULES AND ETHICS: no report
H. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Bylaws Committee- no report
I. SPECIAL ORDERS:
Nominations and Elections of Elections Committee Members
Aronoff nominates Allison, Rodrigues seconds
LaRocca nominates Luther,
seconded by Holden
Coates nominates Ginsberg, seconded by Holden
Holzman nominates Noble, seconded by Rodrigues
Larocca nominates Pelletier, seconded by Harrington
Stolow Nominates Shah, seconded by Holden
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
10
Pelletier respectfully decline.
Shah respectfully declines.
Petit nominates Ahrens, seconded by Ginsberg. Respectfully declines
Pelletier nominates LaRocca, seconded by Petit
Ginsberg motions to immediately vote.
LaRocca- It is really hard to plan
this, if you are elected to this
committee, please do your job.
Ginsberg motions, Gorman seconds, Motion passed to vote immediately.
The spring election is the bigger election, two sepa
rate, one in the beginning and one in the end of
February. Typically has to be people not running in the election.
New elections committee is LaRocca, Allis
on, Ginsberg, Luther and Noble.
Nomination for Rules & Ethics
Bedard – one open seat. 5 person committee. They deal with complaints and bylaws interpretations. Exec
committee members are not eligible. Elections comm. is not eligible.
Stolow nominates Einhorn seconded by Harrington
Petit nominates Prata seconded by Stein
Gins nominates Aronoff seconded by Messineo
Clarke nominates Holland who declines
Max nominates Abbe second by Ginsberg
Rodrigues nominates Messenio who declines
Gorman nominates Rodrigues who declines
Ginsberg motions to close nominations, Harrington seconds.
Nominations closed, reopen in January.
Ginsberg-f you are thinking about Rules and Ethics, please talk to others.
Bedard- If you are interested, current
members please raise your hands.
There are a number of people who have been on it before.
Results of the elections committee, congrats A
llison, LaRocca, Luther, Noble and Ginsberg.
LaRocca- Meet after the meeting.
Pelletier- Utilize Kim.
Shah- Talk to me about budget.
J. Unfinished Business- Secret Snowpers
on! Thank you Kim for the candy!!
K. NEW BUSINESS:
L. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND OPEN FORUM:
Adepoju
– Bring up the discussion about the exec bill. After it was voted on, sat back and looked at what
was written. Read what the bill said. Talked about what opposition is saying today, should not be just
about Obama, not only issues pertaining to him but any type of discrimination or prejudice. Quite
aggressive during that, would like to apologize. Only way that I could press the issue and make my point
clear. Bill like this needed to be unanimous. About letting people know that student senate did not respect
or approve of any actions taken with any individual.
Brown
– Appreciate that, apology is not necessary, atmosphe
re for that type of debate. A few other points,
seemed to create some type of discrepancy, subjective
orientation with the articulation, should all strive for
objectivity when dealing with these hi
ghly contentious issues. In the dr
afting of bill, chai
rman reached out
to affiliates. Still argue that bill does not address the
genuine issues that actually prompted the outcome.
Would like to question what role we have in the university in addressing these issues. What role in making
actual desire for change.
Adepoju
– Agree with senator brown, as far as wording, not just one incident, not just after the second
occurrence, took initiative, senate just
playing a favored card, after issue in my class, felt need to draft bill.
Language stands strong as far as lack of respect and disregard. Looked at issue and people not feeling as
URI STUDENT SENATE MINUTES December 3, 2008
11
though it is an issue. Talking about not only presiden
t elect Obama, what is repo
rted on a daily basis.
Editorial in the cigar, really felt as though it needed
to be addressed once it happened a third time. Needed
to look to deans of college and senate needed to say something for students.
Brown
– Just questioning when you mention student senate, does it talk about entire senate or what you
think about it.
Adepoju
– The bill was on the common table and the executive committee also had the chance to edit the
bill. If you picked up your minutes and agenda, you should have seen it on the table.
Coates-
I appreciate the apology, unnecessary, I still seriously disagree with the bill that was put in front of
us. If we are not talking about an issue of hate speech, everyone has the right to disagree. Talked about
political satire and Newsweek. All things that everyone se
es everyday. Some might be harsher than others.
Clarke-
Think that chairman Adepoju was right in brining up subject to talk about the bill.
Ginsberg-
That was how the bill went.
Brown-
Agree about this being the right thing to do, would like to question the fact but think the bill has a
lack of substance.
LaRocca
– I wish these points were brought up before we vot
ed. It stinks and we can talk about it all we
want but we all just voted for it. It’s a lesson to a lot of people that we should speak up.
Adepoju-
There is a difference between hate speech and ta
lking about what you feel without talking about
disrespecting and not liking what is said. Can’t just
say whatever we want because we have laws against
hate crimes.
Coates-
I don’t believe that I raised any new points that I missed earlier, agree with Max.
Brown
– In response to LaRocca, I was hoping to make t
hose comments known but the vote was rushed.
Petit
– Reminder for finance, meet me and I’d appreciat
e it. Everyone have a good, safe break.
Bedard
– Senate as whole, when a bill comes out of senate, whether you vote for it or against it, it is
considered the official stance of the senate and it is
understood that you support senate’s decision as a
whole when you leave this room.
Stolow
– Forgot to say in my report, star
ting next semester, new way to evaluate teachers, no more SETS.
Bruce
– reminder, this Friday afternoon, closing of nominations for Rainville. Very simple, takes about 2
minutes online. Maureen and I want to
wish you all success with your exams.
Ginsberg
– Thank everyone for a great semester, happy holidays, good luck on your exams and be safe over
break.
Messineo
– New senators, senate hasn’t done a lot this seme
ster, this is a great example to what we do as
senate. Great hat we all have our own opinions and can have a discussion about them. Dark knight is not
playing tonight in honor of senator Gorman.
Rodrigues
– Victoria Secret’s fashion show is at 10pm.
Messineo
– 9pm preshow.
O’Brien
– My committee, we are meeting Friday, Happy break!
LaRocca
– Elections is meeting in the back.
Adepoju-
Huge thank you to my committee, have pushed
and accomplished a lot this semester. I heart you
guys, be strong and really make cultural the number one committee of senate.
Reminder- Formal starts at 7, bus at 6:30 at the bus circle. 7-11pm, look forward to seeing you all.
M. ROLL CALL: AYE:
Abbe, Adepoju, Allison, Almeida, Aronoff, Bickham, Boiteau, Brown,
Clarke, Coates, Einhorn, Faustin, Gaudio, Forman,
Harrington, Holland, Holzman, Infusino, Inthisone,
Kearns, LaRocca, Luther, McCormick, Meehan, Me
ssineo, Mingoia, Moss, O’Brien, Petit, Prata,
Rodrigues, Sinapi, Slater
, Smith, Stein, Yensan
Nay- Ginsberg, Stolow
No Vote- Bedard, Pelletier, Shah
N. ADJOURNMENT: 8:40