C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

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1 A. CALL TO ORDER 6:30 PM B. ROLL CALL Alquirtas, Bachilas, Bailey, Benedict, Bertel, Buck, Cordova, Creese, Cummiskey, Darche, Donnelly, Flath, Gall, Guerra, Hazen, Hollingsworth, Howard, King, Marino, Mattern, McWeeney, Morabito, Murray, Needle, Nelson, Percy, Quinn, Sardinha, St. Amand, Strassfield, Tate, Taylor, Temple, Watka, Wilding C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA King: I move to add Bill SS-17/18-08 under the Report of the Finance Committee. Howard: Second. The Motion Passes. Approved D. READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Approved E. ANNOUNCEMENTS Taylor: Motion for the pledge. Watka: Second. F. PUBLIC FORUM G. REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEES - FINANCE COMMITTEE King: Hello everybody. We have one bill for tonight. King: I move to immediately consider this bill. St. Amand: Second. Committee Recommendation (6-0-0) The Motion Passes. King: I am immediately considering this bill for P.L.E.A.S.E. It grants only grants them $150. They plan on using the money granted for Sexual Assault Awareness Week. Because they are not a Student Senate recognized group, we have to do a co-sponsorship. I yield my time to Chairwoman Tate for further explanation. Tate: As you will see on the supplement to your agenda, a breakdown of the costs is available. In the main, this co-sponsorship will pay for snacks. It will also pay for sign making materials that will be used in the Take Back The Night march. King: Are there any questions on why we are immediately considering this bill? Moderator: This next vote is to immediately consider the bill for this evening s meeting. For clarification, we are not voting on this bill, but rather to immediately consider it. We need an absolute majority vote. Strassfield: This is a valuable event on campus which students benefit from. We should pass this co-sponsorship request due to its importance on campus. The Vote is Unanimous: The Vote Passes. Moderator: I yield my time to Chairwoman King. King: I would like to amend one thing. The Finance Committee decided to bring the funding up from $147 to $150 to provide P.L.E.A.S.E a little wiggle room. Page 1 of 10

2 King: I move to amend the program line for Masculinity Monday concerning by striking out $37 and inserting $40 and to amend the final resolution by striking out transfer $147 from the and inserting transfer $150 from the. Howard: Second. Committee Recommendation (6-0-0) King: I will open the floor to questions on purchases. Mattern: During our emergency committee meeting this afternoon, I had no problem with either this bill or the amendment, however, it is very late on the part of P.L.E.A.S.E. This co-sponsorship event is simply to improve the event. And because the cosponsorship line is currently healthy, I have no problem granting them this money. King: Treasurer Percy, can you tell us how much money is left in the co-sponsorship line? Percy: There is $4500 left in the contingency line. King: Just so everyone is aware, we will simply be handing them the money and we are trusting them to spend the money wisely. If this were a club under us, it would be different. We are asking them to provide a receipt for assurance purposes. This would be just like any others. Tate: I apologize for how late this bill is. This is still an important event on campus and I believe the grant will be spent well. SS-17/ CO-SPONSORSHIP REQUEST FOR URI P.L.E.A.S.E. Whereas, the URI P.L.E.A.S.E. is a non-senate recognized organization, and Whereas, the Student Senate wishes to co-sponsor Sexual Assault Awareness Week for the student body, and Whereas, it is within our mission to co-sponsor such a program, and Whereas, URI P.L.E.A.S.E. requires the assistance of the Senate to cover the costs of the week s programs, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Student Senate transfer $147 from the transfer $150 from the Co-Sponsorship Line (127) to URI P.L.E.A.S.E. Program Item Cost Quantity Total Masculinity Monday Popcorn $37 $40 50 lbs. $37 ConsenTEA Tuesday Snacks $40 Cookies, tea cakes, candy, assorted sweets, etc. $40 Take Back the Night Thursday Sign making materials: poster boards, signposts, glue, markers, paint $ poster boards, paint and paint brushes, markers, signposts, $60 Page 2 of 10

3 Take Back the Night Thursday Water $10 One or two 5 gallon water bottles $10 SPONSOR: Finance Committee BILL HANDLER: Chairwoman King DATE: Wednesday, April 19th, 2017 RECOMMENDATION: (7-0-0) EXPIRATION: Upon Dispensation ACTION: Vote Tonight Approved. King: This is our first co-sponsorship grant in some time. On a few other notes, the Finance Committee also gave $228 to the NAACP who are looking to host an event which may create dialogues, prepare students, and, perhaps, gain enough support to establish the first multicultural Fraternity(ies) and/or Sorority(ies) at URI. They are looking to work with Greek Life and Multicultural Organizations on this. We have also granted $200 for raptor education on the Quad. We are also working on revising the Finance Handbook which we are trying to finish this Friday. We are looking to make change with this document, so if you have any concerns with the way we perform transactions with student tax dollars, or even just the wording of a given sentence, please make those concerns clear by visiting the Finance Committee on Fridays at 3:00 PM in Memorial Union room STUDENT ORGANIZATION ADVISORY REVIEW COMMITTEE Bachilas: Hi, everyone. SOARC has only one bill this week. I yield some time to the group. Rep: Thank you. Two years ago, in the College of Environment and Life Sciences, some students came to the conclusion that the knowledge needed to conduct good research was unclear. Our group, which looks to make such knowledge available to students, advocates research on campus. Our goal is to promote research and let students know what resources are available to them on campus. We have created a website. We have created a database for opportunities on and off campus. We have a count for how many people have visited the site and it appears that it is being used by many. We do well on social media. Our group holds workshops throughout semester for students. We have contacted professors to establish connections for more opportunities. We have made flyers to give a general understanding of those opportunities. Further, we have had professionals outside of URI talk to us. We are a STEM-based group but we want to reach out to all students. Bachilas: They already do much on campus, with our recognition, it will help them expand to more students. Are there any questions? Page 3 of 10

4 Morabito: What is the name of your website? Rep: *Says name* Morabito: Are you affiliated with any academic departments? Rep: With are connected with many academic departments including but not limited to the Economics Department, the Chemistry Department, and others. St. Amand: What ideas do you have on reaching out to different departments for support on campus? Rep: We have talked with the Provost about contacting the office of research. Previously, we have been reaching out to departments directly. I am compiling information onto fliers to hand out to department deans and leaders and asking them to talk with us. Gall: Have you considered integrating faculty into your group s membership? Rep: We currently have two faculty advisors. Temple: What has been done to make such opportunities accessible to students through the group? Rep: We have advertised to numerous departments to make it clear to students that such opportunities exist. Morabito: Where are the majority of these opportunities located. Rep: We emphasize those which are on-campus. Our faculty advisors will send us information. We are also working with faculty on specific topics, and research opportunities for such topics may exist solely within the department a given faculty member works within. Hazen: Are workshops and resources geared towards independent studies? Rep: Yes, our groups focuses on independent studies and networking outside the classroom. Darche: Who, within the group, determines the topics of workshops? Rep: We determine what the workshops are going to be during meetings. Temple: Do you have any plans to partner with the Center for Career and Experiential Education? Rep: Yes, we have partnered with them. Gall: What steps do you have to help students with their post graduate careers? Rep: We help students network with professionals. King: How frequently does your group meet? Rep: We meet once every week. It is less of a time commitment. King: I am a huge fan of this group. They help many students Recognition under us will help open up many research opportunities to students. When you re stuck in CBLS, as this group is, it is difficult to branch out. SS-17/18-06 BILL CALLING FOR THE RECOGNITION OF URI UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SOCIETY AS AN UNFUNDED STUDENT ORGANIZATION Page 4 of 10

5 Whereas, the mission statement of URI Undergraduate Research Society is, to make research opportunities accessible to students and to adequately prepare them for these opportunities as well as careers after college., and Whereas, URI Undergraduate Research Society 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 URI Undergraduate Research Society as an unfunded student organization. SPONSOR: SOARC Committee BILL HANDLER: Chairman Bachilas DATE: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 RECOMMENDATION: (6-0-0) EXPIRATION: Valid Until Next Re-Recognition ACTION: Vote Tonight Approved. Bachilas: Such good questions. There is one more group coming in next week. It will be the last group considered for the year. This upcoming week, SOARC will be discussing how to define what an academic group is with a solid definition. Please come and join the discussion. We meet on Mondays at 3:30 PM in Memorial Union room ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Temple: Hey everyone. My committee went over NEASC Accreditation standards. All Faculty Senate Liaison positions on the sign-up sheet are filled. I will be attending meetings next week. Some of those meetings concern potential Academic Calendar changes including Indigenous People s Day and Elections Day which involves the Faculty Senate Calendar Committee. I have spoken and will be speaking with the Dean of the URI Library. We will also be discussing final exam rights. Gall: If we do end up having elections day off, will it only be for Presidential Elections? Temple: The changes we are asking for would allow students to have Elections day off for both the Primaries in the Presidential Elections as well as the actual Elections. These changes would take place by the next Presidential elections. King: Is there something you wanted to share regarding academic rights? Temple: There are new fliers that will be shown on the TVs in the Memorial Union. The Committee will also be discussing whether we should go to the Library during finals and hand out coffee like last year. - EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Bertel: This Saturday, External is hosting the Off-Campus Clean-Up from 10 AM to 2 PM in four areas. This event is pretty extensive. The Senate BBQ is also on that day, which means you can work in the morning and have fun in the afternoon. IFC, Panhel, and The Good 5 Cigar has advertised this event to students. We do need Senators to Page 5 of 10

6 carpool. I am carpooling. If you can participate in this event, please do so. If you are driving, please also consider driving Senators to the BBQ. We are meeting in the same spots as last year. I will post on Gavel Gang to detail the drop-off spots. Rhody Outpost was a success last week. The Committee has talked about Rhody outpost and whether we want to shift direction toward the Johnnycake Center. I am planning a meeting with Sean Corrigan from the We are conducting research on parking at URI. We will be collaborating with the Campus Affairs Committee with this research. The Committee is coming up with awesome ideas. - CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE St. Amand: Hey, everyone. I had a meeting with Naomi Thompson. We discussed possible collaboration ideas with the Office of Community, Equity, and Diversity (CED). As some of you know, they have introduced their Strategic Plan. And as Riley had said, we are having meetings for Indigenous People s Day. We are also planning for Diversity Week. We are discussing plans for a possible TED Talk during Mental Illness Awareness Week. Rhody Paws is approaching. Today, I took an excursion to Dollar Tree for Stress Ball materials. Bachilas: Is there a sign-up sheet for Rhody paws? St. Amand: I am not sure yet. I may post on Gavel Gang. If you can attend, please do. While it is not mandatory, it would be nice if you could hang out. King: Where is there health services for dogs? St. Amand: At the Health services building. - CAMPUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Tate: My committee has been getting ready for Sexual Assault Awareness Week. I thank Chairwoman King for her help. *Details a list of events from the URI Take Back the Week: Sexual Assault Awareness advertisement* This is what the Committee and I have been working on. - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE a. Chief Information Officer Taylor: If you happen to be reading this, and you re a member of the Senate, it means I love you, and you should write a kudos before the next General Senate meeting. b. Director of Communications Wilding: What s up? Good news! Sweatshirts! I am picking them up tomorrow. After I do, I will drop them off at the Office. Please pick them up as soon as possible. You should fill out the survey form for t-shirts before it closes. In regard to Sexual Assault Awareness Week marketing: please post your photos to Social Media on the date I have specified for you. Fencing did reach out for photos. Various events (Welcome Day, Off-Campus Clean-Up, BBQ, Rhody Paws) are happening. Watch out for those, and please attend. c. Treasurer Percy: Hi, everyone. For transparency, I would like to share what things I have signed-off this week. I have signed-off for nameplates, nametags, and our Coordinator s payment. I also got office supplies, signed the co-sponsorship grant Page 6 of 10

7 request, and signed-off on stipends. I am being more specific so you have a better idea of what I have been signing. d. Vice President Donnelly: There is a lot of stuff going on. These events are open to all Senators. If you do not have a lot going on, I ask that you please attend. I have only two spots left for welcome day which is at the Ryan Center. Your support and help brings in potential senators and incoming freshmen who may make the decision whether or not the join Senate. In regard to carpooling: there will be a sign-up sheet for the BBQ. However, prioritize driving Senators to the clean-up before the BBQ if possible. I will send out a message on Gavel Gang about this. Wilding: If you are not on Gavel Gang, friend me on Facebook, and I will invite you to the group. King: Can someone specify on Gavel Gang whether old senators who are graduating can come? Moderator: Yes, I will. Howard: Can someone update the Office-Key list at the front desk in the Memorial Union so all current members of Senate may use the key when necessary? Moderator: I will follow up on that. Temple: Please bring games to the BBQ if you can. e. President Buck: Meetings! Equity Council! Senate Events! H. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: a. Rules & Ethics Watka: No report. b. Elections Committee N/A: The Elections Committee has not voted on a speaker and will not be able to make such a vote until their first meeting. c. Liaisons Strassfield: No report. DePetro: No report. Nelson: No report. Darche: No report. Sardinha: No report. Needle: No report. Murray: No report. Guerra: No report. Flath: No report. I. SPECIAL ORDERS Nominations for Elections Committee Temple: Is there any information the Senate should know concerning who can be a member of this committee? Page 7 of 10

8 Howard: The only members of the Senate who may not be a member of the Elections Committee include members of the President s Cabinet and members of the Rules and Ethics Committee. Chairpersons of Standing Committee can be members of the Elections Committee. Senator Mark Gall Nomination: Chairwoman St. Amand Second: Speaker Watka Senator Austin Cordova Nomination: Chairman Temple Second: Senator Quinn Senator Stephanie St. Louis Nomination: Chairman Temple Second: Chairman Bachilas Cummisky: Why is it that members of the President s Cabinet may not be members of this committee. Howard: Members of the President s Cabinet are not Senators, they are Officers. And the Bylaws designate that Officers of the Senate may not be members of the Elections Committee. Senator Abdulwhab Alquirtas Nomination: Senator Mattern Second: Treasurer Percy Chairwoman Samantha King Nomination: Chairman Bachilas Second: Treasurer Percy Chairman Riley Temple Nomination: Senator Morabito Second: Speaker Watka Director of Communications Adriana Wilding Nomination: Senator Cummisky Second: Chairwoman St. Amand Moderator: Seeing no further nominations, I hereby close nominations for the Elections Committee until next meeting where we will resume nominations, host a debate, and hold a vote. We are now moving on to the nominations for Summer Senate. Do not forget, nominations for both the Elections Committee and Summer Senate will re-open before debate on such nominations. Nominations for Summer Senate Page 8 of 10

9 Percy: Summer Senate will meet once every month in the Senate Chambers, or some other specified place. The purpose of the Summer Senate is to continue Senate Operations. Summer Senate will be composed of two general Senators, the President, the Vice President, and the Finance Chairwoman. Senator Ryan McWeeney Nomination: Chairwoman King Second: Chairman Temple Speaker Kelly Watka Nomination: Senator Morabito Second: Chairwoman St. Amand Senator Drew Hazen Nomination: Senator Strassfield Second: Senator Bailey Moderator: Seeing no further nominations, I close nominations for the Summer Senate until next meeting where we will resume nominations, host a debate, and hold a vote. J. UNFINISHED BUSINESS K. NEW BUSINESS L. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND OPEN FORUM Maureen McDermott: Our Coordinator has sent out first night registration forms. They are to be filled out online and online only. Please send this message out to groups soon. There is a July deadline for first night registrations. We will only accept requests from student organizations after the July deadline if we run out of space. We will be, however, treating student organizations on a first come, first serve basis. Memorial Union space allocation requests are starting to be accepted tomorrow. Our Coordinator has sent the link out to everyone. For this, there is a May 1 st, 2017 deadline. Bulletin Boards are accommodations. Wilding: ConsenTEA tea bags are available on my desk, please take as many as you would like. Guerra: Chairwoman Sam talked about it earlier. The NAACP is hosting an info session to bring a multicultural Fraternity or Sorority on campus. URI does not currently have one and Senate should show support for this event and the idea at large. Please come support, come learn, and spread the word at 7 PM tomorrow in Atrium 2 of the Memorial Union. Bertel: There are not enough carpool sign-ups. I will send out more information on the Senate listserv until we have enough. Temple: Denim Day, a major theme during Sexual Assault Awareness Week, is on next Wednesday. We should all arrive during the next General Senate meeting wearing denim. Morabito: I move to adjourn. A Well-Minded Senator(s): Second. M. ADJOURNMENT Page 9 of 10

10 7:29 PM Aye Alquirtas, Ashamu, Bachilas, Bailey, Benedict, Bertel, Cordova, Creese, Cummiskey, Darche, Flath, Gall, Guerra, Hazen, Hollingsworth, Howard, Keene, King, Marino, Mattern, McWeeney, Morabito, Murray, Needle, Nelson, Quinn, Sardinha, St. Amand, St. Louis, Strassfield, Tate, Temple, Watka. Nay No nay votes. No Vote Buck, Donnelly, Percy, Taylor, Wilding. Page 10 of 10