Students upset about icy sidewalks; student senators announce candidacy

01/29/09 - Ice and slush has become a serious issue for students who have had to trek through the muck on the University of Rhode Island campus. Krista Simone, a member of the Students for a More Accessible Campus, stood in front of the Student Senate last night pleading for something to be done about the ice-covered sidewalks.The issue doesn't only lie within the sidewalks, she said. The RIPTA shuttles have been repeatedly late to their stops, causing students to be late to classes. The ability to get from the shuttle stops to the building is nearly impossible even for non-disabled students, according to Simone.

"If [Facilities Services] are unclear about where to plow... I will get in the truck with them," Simone said. "I will miss all my classes for a week to show them."

She added people have to walk in the streets to access Health Services, and that the stairs behind Hope Commons could be compared to "an ice rink."

One of the biggest problems is the inability for students to reach the cleared entranceways to buildings because snow had been plowed on the walkway, she said.

"The housekeeping positions are responsible for a certain distance outside the entrance way to the doors, then lands and grounds are supposed to do the rest," Bruce Hamilton, Student Senate adviser, said.

The Student Senate was split on how to eradicate the issue.

One senate member said, "We go to school in Rhode Island, not San Diego ... We've got to work with [the university] and compromise."

"Keep the good energy going and put the winter gloom aside," senator Drew Yensan said.

Finance Committee Chairman Allen Petit then stressed to the senate that it is its job to make sure something changes with this situation, and not just hope everything gets fixed with compromise.

"We have the ability to question what's going on," he said. "We can push administration and the government to make things better."

The senate offered many different proposals, including having students help in the cleanup effort and trying to acquire the services of state plows.

"It is not like [land and grounds] are sitting there eating a sandwich and watching kids slip," senator Amanda Larocca said.

URI Police Officer Mark Chearino said the issue isn't new, and it's a safety issue.

Simone finished her speech to the senate with the hope that the school will accommodate her.

"I wish, I hope, that [URI is] willing to bend over backwards for me, too," Simone said.

Earlier in the meeting, Cultural Affairs Committee Chairman Maxwell Adepoju and SOARC Chairwoman Amanda Clarke announced they will be running against senate Vice President David Bedard and senator Vidhi Shah for president and vice president in the upcoming elections.

Adepoju has been a member of senate since spring of 2007. His tenor included being a member of SOARC and chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee.

He explained to the senate that he will be able to lead them into the future because he looks up to a great leader.

"I say this because I know myself better then anyone else does, I say this because everyone sees clips of myself but I sit for the motion picture," Adepoju said.

Clarke has been a member of senate since fall of 2007. She is the chairwoman of SOARC.

She described herself as, "honest, genuine, and easy to talk to."

Clarke said the main reason she is for running as vice-president is that she has the ability to get things done. "I am a proactive person by nature," Clarke said.

So far, only Bedard and Adepoju have declared they are running for student senate president, and Clarke and Shah for vice president.

In Other News:

Senator Anthony Sinapi brought up an issue with JuicyCampus. He asked the senate for help on taking action against the Web site, which he said he believes is ruining college life. The issue was tabled so other senators can acquire adequate information.

The Snowboard Club received a grant and permission to hold an event on campus to support the Rhode Island Food Bank. The "Rail Jam" will be held on the Quadrangle with help from seven sponsors. The Boss Arena will be trucking snow up to the Quad to create some sweet slopes for all of Rhode Island's snowboarders.

The Contender Club, URI's boxing club, was approved to a Level II club. The group will now be eligible for an annual budget from the senate.

Plans began for an awards ceremony for all senate-recognized organizations. Some possible names for the ceremony are "the Rammies" or "the Rhodies." Presidents of the organizations will nominate four clubs for each category that will be voted upon by students.

The senate announced its plans to have a "Bring a Faculty Member to a Game Day" for the next men's basketball game against St. Bonaventure. At half time, a prize will be given out to a lucky student and professor in attendance.

The senate also discussed outdated inspection stickers for campus elevators. It will discuss the matter further during its next meeting.