Student Senate Welcomes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Talks Upcoming Events

On Wednesday’s Student Senate meeting, several new senators were appointed to represent various colleges and organizations on campus. It also included updates on the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion's initiatives and reports from commissions and committees.

Dr. Russell Morrow, representing the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, shared updates on their efforts to promote inclusion on campus. Some of the key initiatives discussed include collaborating with the University of South Carolina for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion assessment and continuing to push the "Make Respect Visible" campaign. 

Several Senate resolutions were passed to appoint senators for the following positions: the College of Fine Arts, Women's Affairs, Veterans Affairs, Environmental Affairs, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and a Historian. These appointments reflect the commitment of the Student Senate to ensure representation for all of Ohio U.

Treasurer Reagan Farmer provided an overview of the yearly budget status. It was reported that the Senate has a total budget of $37,360.22, with $7,572.90 allocated but not yet spent. In addition, there is an unallocated budget of $29,787.32.

This week, the commission reports introduced some interesting events for students to look forward to. Commissioner Kennedy Huntsman mentioned the "Hot Girl Walk", which is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m. This is planned to be a recurring weekly event on Saturdays, with varying locations. These walks aim to promote safety and unity, especially during red weekends. Red weekends, like Homecoming and Halloween, are weekends when there's an increased likelihood of sexual violence on campus. Senators and volunteers will be walking students home to ensure their safety. Huntsman encouraged those with Green Dot training to reach out and volunteer! 

Also, the Sustainability Network is actively working on several environmental initiatives, including a divestment campaign, a potential environmental career fair, and a Sustainability Network Summit for the upcoming semester. They are also planning events to provide students with access to fresh produce.