Student Senate hears from Office of Diversity and Inclusion, appoints new members

The Ohio University Student Senate met Wednesday, Feb. 15 to vote on resolutions concerning appointments, funding for the Culture Fair Fashion Show, student safety sacks and incentives for surveys. This week’s meeting also included a presentation from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. 

Dr. Salome Nnoremele & Dr. Maria Modayil from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion talked about the OHIO Diversity Audit.

Nnoremele noted that the president of Ohio U, as well as members of university leadership, took steps in response to a series of racial incidents that occurred in March 2022. The steps included an in-depth study of Ohio U’s current diversity, equity, programs and policies on racial discrimination.

To further address concerns, the university selected members for a Request for Proposal (RFP) Committee, a group of leaders who have expertise on a particular issue. Ohio U’s RFP will focus on equity and inclusion, the committee is made of nine members. 

“The university is committed to this process, and I’m excited personally to see what will happen once we get this audit completed,” Nnoremele said.

Modayil noted that the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center was selected to review Ohio U as part of the RFP Committee. The USC Race and Equity Center spoke with campus leaders and gathered information from previous surveys given out by Ohio U and will report on their findings.

The USC Race and Equity Center will be coming to campus to lead engagement sessions for faculty members, staff members, and community members of Athens. These sessions will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 10:15 a.m. at Baker University Center.

The first three resolutions passed were appointments. William Zanotelli was appointed as an associate justice on the Ohio U Senate Judicial Panel. Sukhraj Kaur was appointed as college of arts and sciences senator. Garrett Beam was appointed as academic affairs vice commissioner. 

Another resolution passed to purchase food for the Culture Fair Fashion Show, totaling $2,160. A resolution to request $50 to reserve space for the Culture Fair Fashion Show was tabled, because primary sponsor Budget Committee Chair Brady Phelps thought the resolution was not necessary.

There was a resolution to purchase student safety sacks, which includes sexual health supplies, Plan B, pregnancy tests, Plan C information cards and alert alarm key chains. The resolution passed and approved the $2,390.75 purchase. Athletics Senator Reagan Farmer expressed concern about purchasing Plan B via Amazon. 

Women’s Affairs Commissioner Megan Handle, who was the resolution’s secondary sponsor, clarified that Plan B is an “over the counter drug, like buying ibuprofen on Amazon.” 

There was an effort to table the bill until next week, but the resolution passed.

Another resolution requested $231.40 to hand out and promote international food products at Jefferson Market passed. Baker Center and Alumni Gateway are two of the locations these products will be handed out. 

A resolution passed approving the purchase of a $25 gift card as an award for an Environmental Affairs survey raffle. Environmental Affair Commissioner Caden Hibbs emphasized the importance of the data on environmental issues to connect the campus to environmentalism.

Similarly, a resolution to purchase gift cards to incentivize students to complete an academic well-being survey was passed. The resolution approved the purchase of four $25 Visa gift cards, the amount totaled to $113.76. Academic Affairs Commissioner DeMonte noted the incentives will raise engagement and “get senate money out to students.”

In other senate news,

Handel noted the data collection on which buildings on campus have menstrual product dispensers in bathroom stalls, which will be part of future legislation to receive more dispensers for the school. There was also a proposal to install Plan B in vending machines around campus.

DeMonte noted that the academic senate meeting will be on Friday at 3 p.m. on Microsoft Teams. He discussed expanding the involvement fair to offer more opportunities to underclassmen.

Hibbs discussed a proposal to host the Athens Farmers’ Market on campus, potentially at 29 Park Place and another location near Gordy Hall. The tentative dates for the discussions are April 13 and April 20.

University Life Commissioner Clay Lewis proposed hosting a lock-in at Ping Recreation Center or Walter Field House as a safer alternative to the upcoming fest season events. He also noted his commission was looking into improving the quality of the university’s culinary app.

President Shoulders noted the growth she has seen in senate. “This is an amazing experience to watch about 10 (people) in this room to now over 25 (people),” said Shoulders.

Simar Kalkat, former Student Senate Treasurer, shared her thoughts on the state of the senate and the efforts of outreach by members during the student Speakout session. Kalkat reminded members and attendees that one year ago she was ousted from her position after a vote of no confidence that was later revealed to be against the senate’s rules. Kalkat urged that members maintain that they are in this position to serve their community. 

It was noted that applications are now open for student senate executive positions. Applications are available on Student Senate’s Bobcat Connect and are due March 2 at 5 p.m. The election info session will be next Monday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. in Walter 235.