Student Senate elects chairs, appoints remaining positions

04/02/09 - During last night's University of Rhode Island Student Senate meeting, elections were held for the Academic, Campus, Cultural and External affairs chair positions.Chairman David Coates defeated senator Ronald Bickham, nominated by former cultural affairs chair Maxwell Adepoju, for Academic Affairs chair. In his nomination, Adepoju called Bickham an "intelligent individual who will get down to business."

Senators pointed out Bickham's inexperience with cultural affairs at the university during open debate, though he was not flustered by their observations.

"Just because I didn't read a few pages in a book doesn't mean I am not qualified," Bickham said to senate.

Coates, in turn, told the senate about his experience on academic affairs under the former chair, Zach Stolow.

"When I walk into a room with administrators I don't feel they talk down to me, " Coates said.

Senator Anthony Sinapi defeated incumbent Amanda LaRocca for the position of Campus Affairs chair after a lengthy debate among senators.

LaRocca, who became Campus Affairs Chairwoman in fall 2008, said the senate should consider her "babies," or unfinished projects, such as the Ellery Pond Restoration Project, noting she still had more to do as chairwoman.

"I have no learning curve for me, I can jump right back in," LaRocca added to the discussion. "I know who to talk to and I know how to talk to them."

Senate President David Bedard publicly supported LaRocca during the election.

In response, Sinapi told the senate he is the person that will challenge whomever needs to be challenged in order to do what is right for the students. He added he is a quick learner has the time to devote to the position.

"This is the reason I am on senate - the things that no one talks about that are problems," he said. "I will talk about them."

Senator Jon Aronoff was elected as Cultural Affairs chair over senator Angelyca Abbe. Adepoju nominated Abbe because she was his "right hand woman" on the committee in the fall.

"I would give her my child, that's how much I trust her," Adepoju said in describing his support of Abbe.

Aronoff received support from Chairman Allen Petit, senator Jorge Rodriguez and senator Jason Almeida. The three senators described Aronoff as a dedicated and passionate person who is able to do the job.

Former Student Organization Advisory and Review Committee Chairwoman Amanda Clarke ran unopposed for External Affairs chair. She will be taking over for senior Andrew O'Brien who will be graduating this spring.

Presidential appointments were also made official last night to complete the Student Senate Executive Committee.

Bedard nominated senators for the positions of director of communications, secretary and treasurer, and were all elected officially by the senate.

Senator Juelia Simon kept her position of DOC. Senator Joelle Harrington was appointed the new senate secretary, taking over for senator Nicole Pelletier. The vacant spot of treasurer that was left when vice president Vidhi Shah was sworn in was appointed to Steven Boiteau.

In other news:

The Asian Student Association was granted $2,400 for their annual event. There will be no admission charge, music and stand-up comedy.

On May 1 the University Library will be dedicated and re-named in honor of President Robert L. Carothers.