2008 Woodie Awards
URI senate president criticizes senators for not attending meetings
Justin Oswald
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: Campus
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11/01/07 - The president of the University of Rhode Island Student Senate said attendance issues and a lack of participation from members is disappointing him.
"Attendance is a big deal," Neil Leston said. "I take it personally, and if you're not going to take it seriously, I don't want you here."
Although attendance has been brought up at past senate meetings, it was done so more casually, and was not discussed as fervently as last night.
"A lot of people put in extra hours into this organization, and it's a shame you take that for granted," Leston said.
Two executive members and one chairwoman joined Leston in expressing shame over other senators' actions.
Chief Operations Officer Matt Yates organized a retreat for fellow senators to which less than half the senators attended.
"It is unacceptable," Yates said. "I'm dead serious, if half the people don't come then that's a bad showing."
He added, "You let everyone down if you don't show up, and that just shows everyone you don't care."
Leston at one point asked who was interested in tickets for today's men's basketball exhibition. When no hands were raised, Leston rhetorically asked, "Wow, is this a retreat?" Eight people immediately raised their hands.
Academic Affairs Chairwoman Cristin Langworthy is serving her fifth year on senate and said the people getting involved "are in a slim minority."
"Being part of senate does not mean coming to this meeting, most of the time, sitting around, and not saying anything," Langworthy said. "There are huge issues on campus and no one is touching them. We're the leaders that are supposed to be doing it, so start showing up."
Four senators were removed from their positions for breaking the senate's attendance policy, and they may soon be followed by a fifth. Senators are allowed two excused absences and one unexcused absence.
Brendan Heyck, Barry Rafanelli, Jonathan Hanson and Sara Stone will soon be notified of their dismissal, Vice President Ryan Battis said. The senators will have an opportunity to appeal if extenuating circumstances were involved.
"Attendance is a big deal," Neil Leston said. "I take it personally, and if you're not going to take it seriously, I don't want you here."
Although attendance has been brought up at past senate meetings, it was done so more casually, and was not discussed as fervently as last night.
"A lot of people put in extra hours into this organization, and it's a shame you take that for granted," Leston said.
Two executive members and one chairwoman joined Leston in expressing shame over other senators' actions.
Chief Operations Officer Matt Yates organized a retreat for fellow senators to which less than half the senators attended.
"It is unacceptable," Yates said. "I'm dead serious, if half the people don't come then that's a bad showing."
He added, "You let everyone down if you don't show up, and that just shows everyone you don't care."
Leston at one point asked who was interested in tickets for today's men's basketball exhibition. When no hands were raised, Leston rhetorically asked, "Wow, is this a retreat?" Eight people immediately raised their hands.
Academic Affairs Chairwoman Cristin Langworthy is serving her fifth year on senate and said the people getting involved "are in a slim minority."
"Being part of senate does not mean coming to this meeting, most of the time, sitting around, and not saying anything," Langworthy said. "There are huge issues on campus and no one is touching them. We're the leaders that are supposed to be doing it, so start showing up."
Four senators were removed from their positions for breaking the senate's attendance policy, and they may soon be followed by a fifth. Senators are allowed two excused absences and one unexcused absence.
Brendan Heyck, Barry Rafanelli, Jonathan Hanson and Sara Stone will soon be notified of their dismissal, Vice President Ryan Battis said. The senators will have an opportunity to appeal if extenuating circumstances were involved.