UCR Student Senate Passes Record 20 Bills and Four Resolutions at Final Meeting of the Year

The student government at the University of California, Riverside wrapped up its academic year on May 27 with its busiest legislative session of the term. The Associated Students of California, Riverside (ASUCR) Senate met from 6:44 p.m. to 8:26 p.m., after an informal look over the agenda, and cleared every item before it without opposition.

The evening opened with State of the Association reports from the Office of the Executive Vice President, the Office of the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Vice President of Finance and the Vice President of Sustainability.

The legislative review committee then brought forward four resolutions and 20 bills. That was the largest number slated to pass in a single Senate meeting this academic year.

Three of the resolutions addressed social and policy concerns. SR-S26-007, titled "ASUCR's Stance on Solidarity with Black Students Across the UC System," and SR-S26-008, "ASUCR's Commitment to First Generation Student Success," responded to continued discrimination against Black and first-generation students. SR-S26-009, "Resolution in Support of CA SB 886 and 887," touched on the growing number of data centers being built across California.

The fourth, SR-S26-010, "Resolution Announcing R'Bus," formally launched a service under the Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP). R'Bus will use Global Electric Motorcars to move students with disabilities around campus, and is expected to begin operating in coming academic years.

The bills, Senate Bills 9 and 14 through 30, amended the association's constitution and bylaws in an effort to consolidate functions and improve efficiency. The changes eliminated the offices of the Non-Traditional Student Director, International Student Director, First-Time College Student Director and Transfer Student Director, with their positions moved to other offices. The Black Student Affairs Team Chapter, Student Voice Committee Chapter, Summer Powers of the Executive Branch Chapter and Executive Cabinet Eligibility Act Chapter were deleted, and a new Executive Cabinet Duties Chapter was created.

GCAP also presented two funding requests. GCAP Grant 026, "End of the Year Donation Drive $500," would pay to store items discarded from dorms. GCAP Grant 027, "Reuseable @The Hub- $30,000," would fund infrastructure on campus to support the reuse project. Senators approved both, 14-0-0.

The meeting closed with public comment from President Pro Tempore Jeevan Rao, who thanked fellow senators and described how he approached leadership during his time at UCR. He said he was inspired by his twin brother, who has died.

"I knew I wanted to be a leader that helped people. I knew I wanted to be someone that would make a difference in people's lives," Rao said, "and I think that's what my brother would have said … Everyone struggles sometimes and acknowledging that is really important for us as student leaders."