Student Senate hears concerns over impeachment decision, passes new bill and resolution

Student Senate. Photo by Tim Zelina.

Following the impeachment of Senator Richard Danylo at the Feb. 24 meeting, members of Student Senate expressed their concerns with the decision at their meeting Wednesday night. 

Senators Jamie Peterson, Kaitlyn Booher, Danielle Klein, Noah Keiger and John Wehrkamp all made statements against the impeachment during Student Speakout.

“Working with Richard gave me insight into his work ethic, character and incredible drive to support students,” Klein said. “I also saw his respect and regard for following the rules and working by the book.”

Danylo was accused of misallocating Senate Appropriation Commission (SAC) funds during the 2020 interim semester when he served as interim treasurer. Peterson was acting interim president, alongside Klein as acting interim vice president.

“I participated in the SAC meetings this summer and recall several conversations with Richard about the Backdrop magazine,” Peterson said. “Never did Richard reallocate these funds without the approval of the SAC or Senate Appropriations Committee.”

Peterson continued to say that neither her or Klein were contacted about the allegations against Danylo. A decision on whether the impeachment will be overturned has yet to be made at the time of publication.

Student Senate also passed a new bill demanding that the university create a more inclusive learning environment for students who are hard of hearing or deaf. 

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Ohio U has to ensure that hard of hearing or deaf students are accommodated for and treated equally. Chief of Staff Elaina Tartal is the primary sponsor of the bill.

“As a hard of hearing student that wears hearing aids, having a learning environment that is inclusive makes a huge difference,” Tartal said.

The bill requires professors to turn on closed captions on videos and films watched in class and use the automatic transcription function in Microsoft Teams.

Senate Vice President and secondary sponsor of the bill Elizabeth Lilly seconded Tartal.

“There is absolutely no harm in an inclusive learning environment and is way better for everybody involved,” Lilly said.

Senate Treasurer Eliza Ivan also called tweets that said professors had refused hard of hearing students’ requests to turn on closed captioning “unacceptable.”

The bill passed with a majority vote.

The Senate also passed a resolution to add new members to the Senate Emeritus Commission. Faith Laughlin, Jon Schlosser, Landen Lama and Eva Holtkamp were appointed to the commission.

“Faith Laughlin, Jon Schlosser, Landen Lama, and Eva Holtkamp all had great applications,” Maxeen Ramlo, head of the Senate Emeritus Commission said. “Jon, Landon, and Eva, all three are alumni emeritus from Student Senate.”

The Senate also heard from two guest speakers from Ohio U’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). Director Paul Castelino and Associate/Clinical Director Becky Conrad gave a presentation on CPS’s mission statement, updates and services.  

“We are really committed to enhancing the personal development so that students can succeed academically,” Castelino said.

Castelino also discussed CPS’s diversity mission statement, saying that they are committed to social justice and equity and forming an inclusive community.

Conrad explained a new program called The Body Project, an initiative by CPS to improve Ohio U students’ body image and self-confidence. CPS staff have paired up with undergraduate and graduate peer leaders to help students.

“The research shows that people who go through the Body Project have a reduced incidence of eating disorder and improved body image,” Conrad said.

During Student Speakout, Senators Molly Davis and Eli Hendrix brought awareness to anti-hazing regulation. “Collin’s Law,” named after Ohio U freshman Collin Wiant who died in 2018, would make hazing a felony charge and require preventative education in all schools. 

Ohio Sen. Stephanie Kunze announced Wednesday she will reintroduce “Collin’s Law” to the Ohio Senate, according to a report by The Athens NEWS. 

“While we acknowledge this law will not put a stop to hazing, it does take a step in the right direction to enforce what is right and wrong,” Hendrix said.

Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life Ariel Tarosky is working with other Ohio schools on a virtual letter campaign in support of the law. The parents of Stone Foltz, a student at Bowling Green State University who recently died from hazing, have also set up a scholarship in their son’s name. 

Davis and Hendrix encouraged senators to get involved if they could.

“Hazing is a real and prevalent issue among college-age students and it’s time to take action,” Davis said.