GSS passes resolution supporting Asian and Pacific Islander community, condemning racial discrimination

Ohio University Graduate Student Senate (GSS) unanimously passed a resolution advocating for the Asian and Pacific Islander community and condemning racial discrimination.

The resolution was sponsored by Graduate College Senator Charlotte Yang, Vice President Amal Shimir, Academic Life Research Commissioner Brett Fredericksen and Women’s Affairs Commissioner Letitia Price.

“This wave of racism poses danger to the safety of the Asian community. During this hard time, I encourage all of you to take action against identity-based violence and gender-based harassment. Speak up when you see xenophobic behaviors and statements,” Yang said. “Together we can make our community safer and stop serious tragedies from happening.”

The resolution comes after a series of fatal shootings that took the lives of eight people, including six Asian women in Atlanta. The tragedy prompted nationwide discussion and outrage about racism toward the Asian and Pacific Islander community. 

GSS also unanimously passed a resolution in support of a Ohio University Student Senate bill opposing proposed budget cuts to the Center for Law, Justice and Culture (CLJC). The resolution was co-sponsored by Shimir and GSS President Kaelyn Ferris.

“This is just endorsing what the Student Senate said, and we are just hoping that they do not take the funding for our program,” Law, Justice and Culture Representative Valerie Seese said of the resolution.

The budget changes proposed by the College of Arts and Sciences would cut money from the CLJC academic and pre-law programming budget. It could also withdraw needed support from the CLJC master’s program, according to coverage by The New Political.

Throughout the meeting, GSS members spoke extensively on training new body members. The Senate passed a resolution that would establish a set of new member training rules, if passed at the April 13 body meeting.

This resolution would also require the usage of one’s preferred pronouns within the body and outline disciplinary actions for not doing so. 

“In previous years, we have used other stipulations to make sure people are respectful to one another, but putting this in plain speech with language on training about proper pronoun usage, how to enforce proper pronoun usage and how to execute disciplinary action if pronoun usage is now followed seems like a logical step,” Fredericksen, a co-sponsor of the resolution, said. 

The GSS election committee also announced executive election results for the upcoming academic year. Ferris will be returning as GSS President and LGBT Affairs Commissioner Remington Burwell was elected to become the next GSS Vice President. 

The election committee announced there will be a runoff election between Charlotte Yang and Joseph Elikem Kofi Ziorklui for GSS Treasurer. The election will take place starting April 6 through April 12.