Student Senate’s town hall fields only agenda-related questions about safety, mental health and Baker Center use

Ohio University Student Senate focused the discussion on three major topics at Wednesday evening’s town hall: future plans for Baker Center, campus safety and mental health. 

Attendees were given the opportunity to scan a QR code that led to a Google Form where they could submit their questions, comments and concerns for the senate’s consideration. Questions were fielded and read aloud by Senate’s Director of Public Relations Carson Sarver. 

The New Political submitted numerous questions for the senate’s consideration after the three main topics were discussed via its Google Form about the upcoming Student Senate election and TNP’s recent reporting about Treasurer Trinity Robinson. 

However, no questions from The New Political were read aloud for consideration.

Sarver stated that the questions she focused on would pertain to the university, rather than the senate, to keep the conversation relevant to the number of administrators present at the town hall. 

President Shoulders suggested that anyone with questions for senate, specifically, come to its general body meeting on Wednesday, April 5. The upcoming election is set for April 4.

After the meeting, The New Political once again asked Robinson for any comment, and she declined. 

The New Political asked Shoulders who knew about the incident. She said the Senate leadership team was notified, as well as Senate’s advisors. She also stated that the Senate’s Judicial Panel was aware. 

Shoulders said that the Judicial Panel is charged with impeachment proceedings, not the Student Senate.

TNP also asked Shoulders about her thoughts on why Senate seems to have scandals each year around the same time, given that the ousting of former Senate Treasurer Simar Kalkat happened a little over a year ago.

Shoulders emphasized the great responsibility that comes with membership to Student Senate, but reflected members are still students.

“The fact that we represent people and we work with high level officials and we talk to university leadership, which is a privilege and we should be an understanding of that privilege; However, we're still students and so we're the same students that everyone else is, so we're just technically a microcosm of campus,” Shoulders said. “So if someone were to expect for none of us to end up having issues or go through a conduct process for the school? That wouldn't make sense. But what we do strive to do, is we have to hold each other to a higher standard than the average student.”

What was addressed at the town hall: 

The first series of questions were about plans for Baker Center in the upcoming years, and suggestions for improving the use of the space. Some of the concerns submitted by the students included: a lack of single bathrooms, lack of notification when the escalators are down and outdated furniture. 

Another concern raised was the fact that the Baker Ballroom is frequently booked for admissions events, and is consequently usually unavailable for student organizations to book and use the space.

Senator Rees Morris also put forward the suggestion that the Accessibility Services Office, or some portion of Accessibility Services, be expanded and moved to Baker to promote visibility. Morris suggested that many students may not be aware of the services and accommodations that are available to them, and therefore are not utilizing many of the resources that are available. 

Suggestions for improvement to Baker Center from the Google Form included additional seating, additional trash and recycling bins at the tops and the bottom of the escalators, individual study rooms, updates to the cultural centers and largely promoting Baker as a place that students can spend their time.

University administration stated that it was gathering information from students and alumni to gauge what ways Baker can feasibly be improved in the future. 

The second topic discussed was safety on campus. Some concerns raised by students from the Google Form were about lighting on campus for students walking at night and the absence of a sidewalk on South Green Drive. 

“One of our main concerns was to make sure that we have appropriate lighting and crosswalk signs across campus,” said Student Senate President Dayna Shoulders, discussing the promotion of safety on campus. Additionally, Shoulders mentioned the Senate’s safety walk to highlight place on campus in need of improved safety 

Additionally, students asked via Google Form whether Ohio U has an active shooter protocol. Ohio University Police Department Chief Andrew Powers recommended students seek out the OUPD Youtube channel, which has a video teaching how OUPD prepares for an active aggressor situation, and what students can do to prepare as well.

The third topic discussed was mental health. Students asked about the accessibility of the university’s mental health services, and questions were answered by Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) Director Paul Castelino.

“One thing we have done in the last year or two is to really focus on access,” Castelino said.

Castelino also stated that there is not a current waitlist to receive counseling through CPS, so students can reach out by calling (740) 593-1616 and receive assistance by scheduling a therapy appointment promptly. 

Counseling is offered in person at the Hudson Health Center, in addition to telehealth options. CPS also offers walk-in therapy for campus residents, no appointment necessary, at the Living and Learning Center from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Friday. 

For students in crisis, drop-in therapy is available at the Hudson Health Center between 9:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. on weekdays. The CPS page on the Ohio U website also displays a list of numerous hotlines and textlines, along with information about the specific types of therapy offered through CPS.

Following these three topics, students were encouraged to submit any additional questions. One question, answered by current Ohio U President Hugh Sherman, asked what students can expect from the university as we transition to a new president. 

Sherman responded by stating that Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez, the incoming president, is a person with great maturity and experience.

“She understands the role, and she really cares about the mission of the university. So, I think you can expect a person who is transparent, who is caring, and will be an outstanding leader for the university,” said Sherman.

The senate closed the meeting by highlighting its achievements as an organization this past semester and thanking administrators and university leadership for their support. Shoulders also concluded by recommending that students reach out to their senators as their representatives, and to attend the weekly meetings to learn more about senate initiatives.

Senate is hosting a debate April 3 and elections are April 4.

Izzy Keller, Madeline Harden and Jack Slemenda contributed to this report.