Senate gives some closing remarks and fields criticism while awaiting election results

Editor’s note: The story was updated to reflect Emily Zeiler’s correct title (4/7/23 @ 2:43 p.m.)

Student Senate held one of its final general body meetings of the academic year on Wednesday night, discussing the previous Senate controversies and what the future will hold. The results of Student Senate’s election will be announced Friday at 7 p.m. in Baker Center, room 240/242.

The meeting opened with an announcement from Executive Justice Emily Zeiler. Zeiler began by addressing claims regarding hostility between some Senate members and candidates, stating “we are all adults,” and imploring that students be respectful of one another. 

Following this, Zeiler said, “We have also received complaints over recent allegations made against Treasurer Robinson. The panel has followed all procedures in the Rules and Procedures, and Treasurer Robinson will continue the candidacy and role in Senate. If you have any concerns, you may reach out, reach out to the panel or myself personally.”

Zeiler left after this announcement. The Student Senate Judicial Panel has not responded to multiple requests for comment from The New Political over the past week. 

Senate President Dayna Shoulders and Vice President Luvina Cooley provided parting advice to the members of the senate as the transition to new Student Senate leadership approaches. Shoulders encouraged senators to finish the year strong, and Cooley reminded senators to promote a welcoming atmosphere of advocacy and change on behalf of the student body.

“It's been a challenging year for all of us, but I'm proud of the work that we've done together as a team. We have navigated many challenges, conducted successful events, and advocated for the needs of our student body,” Shoulders said.

Cooley gave a rundown of the annual scandals of Senate and how she’s seen growth since then. 

“You all heard about the controversies that Senate found itself in last year. There was a controversy the year before that, and the year before that, too. We have since created a body that has encouraged new people to join. It has encouraged previous members to rejoin, and has encouraged overall a campus that is more dedicated to advocating for students,” Cooley said.

Student Senate Treasurer Trinity Robinson and presidential hopeful provided a statement as a part of her Treasurer’s report regarding the recent Student Senate controversy.

Robinson stated that the Senate Leadership Team, the Judicial Panel, the Graduate advisor, and other Student Senate advisors were immediately notified about her encounter with Ohio University Police Department. 

“I want to make it clear to the Senate body and our student body that I respect the thoughts and opinions of everyone that feels a way about what took place,” Robinson said “This situation, while it wasn't ideal, it was something that was not only a learning experience for me, but our leadership team as well. Through it all, I have sworn by my duties within Student Senate and upheld all my responsibilities as treasurer, and that is exactly what I was appointed to do. So at the end of the day, no matter what is happening outside of Student Senate, that was something that I was going to uphold.”

Following this, Robinson reiterated her appreciation of the concerns people have expressed toward the senate. Robinson closed by saying, “I'm proud of everything the senate has been able to accomplish, I'm honored to serve before this body and also help advocate as much as I can along the way.”

In other news, during the student speakout portion of the meeting, two students from the HTC Business program, Olivia Kaiser and Olivia Barnes, gave statements regarding the recent “Safer Sacks” Student Senate initiative. 

The “Safer Sacks” are small tote bags containing items such as tampons, a drink spiking prevention scrunchie, a personal safety alarm, condoms, dental dams, water-based lube, and information about Plan C, an online service which offers women at-home abortion pills. The sacks were distributed outside of Baker Center, and they quickly ran out in just an hour and a half, according to Women’s Affairs Commissioner Megan Handle.

However, Kaiser and Barnes questioned the role of Student Senate in the distribution of lube and dental dams, accusing Senate of promoting sexual behavior. Kaiser also stated that providing women with the ability to make an educated choice regarding reproductive health goes beyond Plan C, and questioned why information regarding Ohio U’s accommodation of pregnancy and parenthood or local OB-GYNs was not included.

“I want to condemn both the idea that women have one track of receiving pregnancy resources, as well as my money going into supporting the sex lives of other students. There should also be information about STI risk, testing, and the fact that abstinence until marriage is the only foolproof way to prevent pregnancies and STIs,” Kaiser said. “If there's ever another event like this held by the Women's Affairs Commission, I'm urging you to provide more holistic and comprehensive resources like the ones I listed above, to actually help them and know their options to make an educated choice. As women we must empower each other and provide each other with truly holistic information about safe sex and its consequences.”

The Black Student Cultural Programming Board (BSCPB) and the University Programming Council (UPC) presented its budgetary recap from this year, detailing the events each organization had planned and executed. Both organizations encouraged further partnership with Student Senate when planning initiatives and activities in the next academic year.

Senate also unanimously approved a resolution to spend $294.89 on a COSORI electric kettle, a Keurig coffee maker, K-Cups, storage for the K-Cups, and compostable, disposable cups for the Student Senate office.

Additionally, Senate approved a resolution to add the position of Senator of Accessibility and Accommodation to the Minority Student Affairs Commission, a project spearheaded by Senator Rees Morris.