Force forms forum
The Student Senate approved the constitution for a new student group on Friday, October 15, 2004. James Force, a junior majoring in economics, is now the president of the Economics Forum.
The forum started with about seven members, which is “more [starting members] than I’ve seen in a while,” said Senator Jeremy Collette.
Addressing the concern of bias, raised by Senator Deniz Elgimez, Shauna Stilphen, a junior majoring in economics and treasurer of the forum, said “we expect to show both sides of the spectrum,”
The purpose of the forum is to “raise awareness about things they face on a daily basis from taxes to deficit,” said Force as he was leaving the senate meeting.
Senate waiting for Westphal
Senator Andrew Bossie was concerned with inaction of Chancellor Joseph Westphal, the delay of his appearance before the USM Student Senate and the inability to get in contact with him. Bossie suggested that the Senate may need to take actions should the Chancellor not meet with them in a timely manner. When asked what sort of action he meant, Bossie raised the possibility of a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Westphal.
During the concerns section of the Student Senate meeting, Senator Jeremy Collette cautioned against the vote of no confidence and warned the senate not to jump on the “bandwagon.”
Student senate delays ITV proposal again
The 33rd Student Senate chose to postpone the vote on a proposal which will set minimum standards on the grading procedures of instructional television (ITV) courses offered at USM until October 29. The proposal requests that all ITV instructors be required to mail back all graded test and quizzes to off-site students, unless the student specifically waives that right.
The proposal was submitted by Senator Sarah Ferriter on Friday, October 8. On October 15, the Senate passed a motion to table the proposal. Since then the proposal has been amended several times.
Ferriter, who is taking her second ITV course, said that the course “fell far below [her] expectation for any class at USM.”
Senate sends financial request to committee
The Dominican Health Outreach Program’s request for $4,750 has been sent to the Senate Finance Committee for review on Friday, October 22. The student group is requesting the monies for airplane tickets, passports, spending money and room and board for 19 students to travel to the Dominican Republic. The monies requested equal $250 of the $1,680 needed per student. The rest of the money, used for medical supplies and the travel expenses, is coming from a variety of fundraising.
Two constitutions tabled
Approval of the constitutions of two different student groups were tabled until the next Senate meeting due to the recommendation of Senator Adam Mirmelli speaking for the Senate Constitutional Review Committee on Friday, October 22, 2004.
“With A Little Help From My Friends,” and the “University of Southern Maine Reiki Practitioners” will both need to amend their goals amongst other changes .
Promised papers produced
The Student Senate is again providing free newspapers to the students of USM. The papers can be found in a variety of places on both the Gorham and Portland campuses, including the Woodbury Campus Center and the Brooks Student Center and Luther Bonney Hall, and Bailey Hall.
The program, which involves supplying the school with 525 daily newspapers, costs approximately $15,000. The monies come from the student activity fee, the president and other sources.
Senate appointments
Senator Deniz Elgimez was unanimously appointed to the position of Coordinator of Student Legal Affairs. Elgimez, due to absence, was unable to comment on the appointment at that time.
Jason Toothaker was unanimously appointed to one of the empty commuter senate seats. Toothaker said his first priority as senator would be to closely examine the administrations plans. “I would work very hard to make the administration accountable,” he said addressing the Student Senate body.
Toothaker is concurrently running for a position on the Portland school board, something which he does not see as creating a conflict with the senate appointment.
Senator Jonathan Gagnon was unanimously appointed to a seat on the Senate appointments committee.
Senator Jeremy Collette was unanimously appointed to a seat on the Senate Constitutional Review Committee. Collette is also the chair of the Student Communications Board.
Senator Caroline Young was unanimously appointed to a seat on the Parking Committee. The Senate Appointment Committee recommended Young based on her dedication to working with those in the Parking Committee previously.
History open house
The history department is having an open house on October 27, 2004. It will be held at the Women’s Study Center at 94 Bedford St. from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.