Student Senate passes student fire fee and sustainability funding at final meeting of the year

Student Senate conducted its final General Body Meeting of the academic year on Wednesday night. Over the course of three hours, 23 resolutions and bills were passed, followed by tearful goodbyes from graduating members of senate.

The majority of the resolutions involved appointing senate members to various offices, making edits to the Student Senate Rules and Procedures and budgetary information. 

Senate passed a resolution to fund new computers in the Multicultural Center. The pre-existing technology in the Multicultural Center will be recycled or reused.

Senate also passed a resolution naming the recipient of the 2023 Bobcat Medal Award. Dr. Rebecca Barlag, the professor of instruction and director of B.S. Forensic Chemistry was selected as the winner after being the subject of seven recommendations.

Additionally, Student Senate is hosting Finals Fest Saturday, from 4-7 p.m. on the second floor of Baker Center in room 305. Senate’s faculty advisers reminded students that there will also be therapy dogs present. 

Senate also passed a resolution creating an opt-in $5 fee to finance a revolving sustainability fund at Ohio U. The fee will be instated as an option for incoming freshmen who are a part of the Ohio Guarantee Plan, and the money will go to funding sustainability initiatives on campus. 

In terms of campus sustainability, Ohio U has received a silver LEED award from the U.S. Green Building Council, while Miami University of Ohio has received two gold awards. According to the bill, Miami University, along with 19 of the top 25 green colleges per the Princeton Review, have a revolving sustainability fund. The bill argued the fund would give future students an opportunity to invest in sustainable infrastructure at Ohio U.

Senate also passed a bill promoting an optional $50 fire fee as an addition to students’ tuition, a project proponents of the bill have been working on since October. The issue will now go before university administration for evaluation before being instated.

Members of the Student Senate who are graduating or leaving left parting words of advice. Treasurer Trinity Robinson wished the new leadership team good luck and President Dayna Shoulders read a passage from Richard Carlson’s book, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” 

Several other members reiterated how much they enjoyed their time in senate and how proud they were of what senate has accomplished before offering their best wishes for the upcoming year. 

The meeting concluded with the new President Megan Handle, Vice President Isaac Davis and Treasurer Reagan Farmer being sworn into office. After swearing their oath and formally inducting the new members of Student Senate, Megan Handle adjourned the meeting for the first time in her presidency.