Student Senate asks Board of Trustees to take stance on student trustee voting rights

In its last meeting of the year, Student Senate passed a resolution asking the Board of Trustees to take a public stance on student trustee voting rights, as well as awarding senior senators and faculty for their dedicated service to Ohio University.Senate passed resolution 1213-43, calling on the Ohio Board of Trustees to adopt a formal and public position on student trustee voting rights, and announce their intention of making such a declaration before their June 21 meeting.Giles Allen, primary sponsor of this resolution, said that in talking with lawmakers in Columbus, Senate discovered many trustees privately oppose giving voting rights to student trustees. He said their now asking to make those sentiments public.“We’re tired of them trying to backdoor giving a voice to students on this campus,” Allen said.Student Senate Vice President Amrit Saini and Allen were among a group of senators that travelled to Columbus to discuss a bipartisan bill that would give student trustees across the state the power to vote in board of trustee meetings. Currently, the trustees, who are appointed by the governor, sit on the board without official voting privileges.Also in Wednesday’s meeting, senate awarded Dr. David Descutner, Dean of University College, the Bobcat Medal, an award for individuals who have “made an especially meritorious contribution to Ohio University, students, and faculty of Ohio University, or cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors.”Senators shared stories about how Descutner personally assisted them with problems in a way that they many administrators would not have the time for.Senators Gerrod Schirtzinger and Nick Southall also shared the Senator Emeritus awards. With each resolution passing unanimously, senators Amrit Saini, Zach George, Tina Kongkeo, Evan Ecos and Sean Martin were all awarded Senator Emeritus, while Seniors Mel Ruberg and Giles received Senior Honors. Each resolution was accompanied by many senators sharing tearful memories of the graduating seniors and their service to the senate body.For Hashim Pastun, it was not tearful, but honoring the seniors was nonetheless important.“I believe you should praise someone to their backs, not their faces. But I think I speak for all of senate when I say that you have shown great leadership, and we hope to carry on that legacy,” Pashtun said.