On May 20, the Associated Students of California, Riverside (ASUCR) commenced their weekly Senate meeting at 7:02 p.m. and adjourned it at 8:14 p.m.
The meeting began with State of the Association (SOTA) reports from the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President of Marketing & Promotions, Office of the Personnel Director, Office of the First Time College Student Director, Office of the Elections Director and the Office of External Affairs.
With the academic year coming to a close, a majority of the presentations consisted of celebrating the work of their respective offices and gave sitting officials the opportunity to formally close out their terms.
One prominent amendment that was announced was that the Personnel Committee would be permanently dissolved and that the Personnel Director position would be moved to the Office of the President.
The Senate then opened committee reports with a review of SR-S26-006 or “Resolution to Make Climate Literacy G.E. Requirement.” Presented by Vice President of Sustainability Anahita Hooshyari Far along with the Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP) Policy Team Director Eva Luna and GCAP Policy Team Member Kevin Leung, they explained that they were seeking support from ASUCR to advocate for efforts to make climate literacy a general education requirement in the future. Following questions from the Senate regarding potential specifics of its implementation, the resolution passed 14-0-0.
Executive Director Asha Nettles then presented SB-S26-008 or “Bill to Amend Bylaw Chapter: Hiring & Firing,” which detailed “progressive discipline” guidelines, beginning with a verbal warning and expanding into suspension and dismissal. ASUCR would need to abide by when considering firing a member to maintain productivity while supporting struggling ASUCR members.
To close committee reports, VPS Hooshyari Far presented SB-S26-011, SB-S26-012 and SB-S26-013, stating that the series of legislation would support R’Bus, a service which provides transportation around campus to disabled students, by establishing a structure for committee meetings. The legislation would attempt to support the program’s continuance, all passed 14-0-0.
The Finance Committee’s Finance #21 Hearing Minutes was approved 14-0-0 and then the Senate approved GCAP Grant 24 to fund “Project HydroFlower.” The project would take the unused greenhouse near the agricultural operations center and turn it into several working hydrochronic systems which would serve as an engineering and agricultural demo passed 13-0-1.
Grant 25 is planned to allocate GCAP funds to repair campus solar tables. The proposal passed 14-0-0.
VPS Hooshyari Far called upon ASUCR members to take pride in their work regardless of a lack of recognition. VPS Hooshyari Far stated, “We are proud of the work that we do … I really hope that y’all carry that mindset next year to get rid of your shame.” In round table announcements, VPS Hooshyari Far called on the current and incoming Senators to combat the “culture of shame” within ASUCR which she elaborated has been “added upon by the Highlander,” and that while she plans on “holding people accountable,” she encourages ASUCR members to be proud of their work.
