Take your pick
Tina Aldrich, coordinator of Portland Campus Recreation, spoke with the Student Senate regarding the various on-campus and outside recreational opportunities students can get involved in.
“Most activities are located on the Portland campus, but are available for all students who are part time and full time,” said Aldrich.
Portland Recreation has many diverse activities for everyone to get involved in.
“If you’re not a sports enthusiast but you like to dance, there’s something for you,” said Aldrich.
When asked if the same people participate in the different activities, Aldrich stated that there are many age groups as well as traditional and nontraditional students who take advantage of activities offered by Portland Campus Recreation
Every semester Portland Campus Recreation plans outings such as white-water rafting trips, skiing and whale-watching trips for USM students. According to Aldrich, most of the programs are co-sponsored by student groups, which substantially discounts the overall fee to participate.
Presently, Portland Campus Recreation, along with the Outing Club, is organizing a spring break trip to Cumberland Island Natural Seashore in Georgia. The cost is uncertain at this time.
“I would like to see it end up at $450 per person,” said Aldrich.
“I absolutely love the programs that are offered,” said At Large Sen. Leah Marie Wentworth.
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North, South, East, West: the Navigator
At the beginning of each semester the USM Navigator Student Handbook is available to students. It can be utilized as a planner as well as a student handbook, with advice about USM.
Yet each year the Navigator needs to be allotted funds from the Student Senate. The requested amount is this year $2,000.
In order to cut down the total cost, the Navigator committee also asked USM departments and local merchants to include information in the handbook.
“The student navigator is very worthy and benefits all students here at USM,” said Catherine Wright, adviser of the Navigator and Commuter Life and Co-Curricular programs.
“Being a non-traditional student, I needed to get used to time management”, said Jeanie Gorham, an undeclared sophomore. “The Navigator has helped me to do that.”
However a few Student Senate members were indifferent to the allotted funding.
“I’m torn,” said Commuter Sen. Matthew Amoroso. “Why doesn’t the funding come from the University?”
At-Large Sen. Tyler Stanley suggested the Navigator is a good thing, but felt the funds might be better utilized if going towards an event.
Commuter Sen. Justin LaBerge noted that the Navigator has made strides, and has done so creatively by sending 200 letters out to local merchants. “This is good information that they (students) need to have,” said LaBerge. After a drawn-out discussion, Chris O’Connor, the Student Senate adviser simply stated, “there’s approximately 8,000 students who use the Navigator, the Student Senate can put in 25 cents.”
In a 12-2 vote the Student Senate agreed to help fund the USM handbook.
A Natural Born Leader
The November Student Leader of the month award goes to sophomore Janine Gorham.
“She is an active member at USM and is able to direct people,” said Commuter Sen. Benjamin Hoffman.
Gorham spends her time involved in the Women’s Resource Center and numerous other organizations.
“She is always willing to help peers and is an enthusiastic leader,” said Commuter Sen. Matthew Amoroso.
Executive Editor of The Free Press Steve Peoples was once again nominated for November leader of month but lost in votes.
Absent
Sen. Anthony Pergola was absent.
Finance
The exact amount in the Student Senate account is $6,327.05 according to the Finance Committee.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Student Senate will take place Friday, Dec.7 at 10 a.m. in the Upton-Hasting Lounge, Gorham.
Staff Writer Erin Zwirn can be reached at [email protected]