Senate considers making all seats at-large
The 33rd Student Senate will vote on Friday, March 11, if University students should be given the opportunity to change the way senators are elected. If passed, the proposal, introduced by Senate Vice-Chair Andrew Bossie, will add a referendum to the March election ballot which asks the student body if they are “in favor of abolishing Student Senate constituencies.” Currently, the 21 seats of the Student Senate are divided into three constituencies: Commuter, resident, and at-large.
The proposal, if approved by the senate, will be sent to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees for their approval. Any referendums which would change the governance constitution of the student senate requires approval from the BOT before being added to the ballot.
If approved, the referendum will read: Are you in favor of abolishing Student Senate constituencies and allowing undergraduate students to popularly elect all Student Senators without regard for residency.
Tiffany Jones dismissed from lady huskies
According to an Portland Press Herald article, the USM Huskies let go of their star forward Tiffany Jones. While the school confirmed the dismissal, they did not give reasons for it. The Free Press was unable to contact Jones for comment.
In February, Jones had been disciplined for violating the athletic department drug policy. And in January, she was also disciplined for violating team rules.
Debates planned, dates still being decided
The USM Leadership Development Board is planning to host two public debates between the candidates for student body president. According to Chris O’Connor at the March 4 Student Senate meeting, the dates have not yet been decided, but there will be one debate held on the Portland campus, and one on the Gorham.
Already several candidates have tossed their hats into the ring in the run for position, including, but not exclusive to, Fred Fridman, senators Caroline Young and Joshua Chaisson, and resident assistant Joshua Force.