The General Student Senate (GSS) gathered on Tuesday in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union to give funding to student groups and hear from a guest speaker.
Wellness Resource Center speaker
Lauri Sidelko from the Student Wellness Center addressed GSS about the voting process for campus.
The Student Wellness Center’s program UMaine UVote helps students register to vote in the Memorial Union through Oct. 14.
A voter education period meant to keep students up to date will start Oct. 14 and stretch through to Nov. 4.
She said if anyone has any questions about how to vote, they should visit www.rockthevote.com.
Sidelko encouraged students to sign up for the Black Bear Attack on Oct. 4, a Tough Mudder-style race. It will begin at 11 a.m. at the New Balance Student Recreation Center. Registration is $15 and covers the cost of a T-shirt and for food.
Sidelko also mentioned that it was National Hazing Prevention Week.
“There have been a lot of alcohol overdose transports this year,” she said.
She encouraged students to be ambassadors of bystander interventions: “Don’t hesitate, act.”
Student groups report back
Fifty-four students travelled to New York City to participate in the People’s Climate March last weekend.
President of Maine Peace and Action Coalition (MPAC) Mike Bailey extended his gratitude to student government for funding two buses.
“Words can’t do justice to how great the event was,” he said. “A lot of the students [we sent] had never been involved in MPAC or Green Team, and then upon returning, are confident they will be more involved.”
MPAC, who organized the event, sent one bus to New York City. Bailey said he will refund GSS the money they were unable to use to get a second bus.
Bailey said there were at least 310,000 people at the event, which pushed Rockefeller to divest $860 million from fossil fuels.
The Maine Steiners also reported back about their spring tour where they traveled across Maine and as far as New York City to spread information about their group and UMaine.
The group has a new album and is starting an endowed scholarship.
Student Entertainment to have “blue out”
During the UMaine football game against Villanova on Oct. 4 will be a “blue out” game. The first 1,000 students at the game will receive a free T-shirt.
A comedian, who has not yet been announced, will be performing midway through November.
Faculty Senate report
According Lindsay Nutter, the GSS representative for Faculty Senate said they have a vision to save UMaine $18 million a year.
They are also discussing moving some labs from Tuesday and Thursday to Monday and Wednesday.
They also discussed the new hours at the Union and how they present a challenge to commuter students.
Student Athletic Advisory Committeeand homecoming
The Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) is organizing a 21-and-under tailgating for the homecoming football game. They will have a moon bounce; “power” pong, which uses Powerade; and a photobooth.
Student Group gains preliminary recognition
Women’s club soccer remains preliminary recognition. The team is currently playing intramurals and practicing every Sunday from 3:30 p.m to 5 p.m. while looking for schools to play against.
Student groups request funding
The International Student Association received $1,100 for food and supplies for their weekly coffee hour, which is attended by around 70 students each week.
Men’s Ice Hockey Club fundraised around $4,500 and received $6,000 from GSS for equipment and travelling expenses.
Ski and Snowboard Club received $5,895 from GSS for their trips to Saddleback, Sugarloaf and Sunday River. They also plan to have a Ski Movie Premiere on Nov. 6.
Alpha Gamma Rho received $513 for supplies from GSS for their annual Paint Wars Philanthropy event.
GSS names new positions
Randy Bosquet and Tory Lawrence were sworn in as senators.
Donncha Coyle was named president of the Political Activist Committee.