President Hugh Sherman speaks with Ohio U’s Student Senate
Ohio University President Hugh Sherman fielded questions from students regarding the university’s COVID-19 policies and the recent snowstorm at Student Senate’s Wednesday night meeting.
Many students’ concerns focused on vaccine and masking requirements for this spring semester. Ohio U’s Athens campus saw a spike in cases of COVID-19 as students returned for the spring semester. Despite the allowance of vaccine exemptions, 91% of Athens campus students have been vaccinated, according to Sherman.
“We wanted to get as many people vaccinated as possible so we could be as safe as possible,” Sherman said. “I do believe in the value of vaccinations, we wanted to respect people who did not.”
Sherman shared his hopes that the pandemic transitions to an endemic, meaning COVID would still be present but at a lower positivity rate within a smaller population, later in the semester, which would most likely be followed by a decrease in positivity rates and allow for lighter restrictions.
“Most people are predicting, not that it’s an end, that we should see a downward movement in the number of cases in the next 14 days,” Sherman said.
Senator Rhyan Goodman questioned why student organizations have been advised to hold virtual meetings because of COVID-19 when students attending basketball games are often maskless.
“It is a recommendation, so you can still do it,” Sherman said. “I think it is just about using your best judgment. As far as the basketball games are concerned, that is a big concern for me too. I went to the last basketball game, and I’d say only about 40% of us had masks.”
Currently, students attending performing arts performances and other big events are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result in order to attend, Sherman said.
“We’re discussing whether to do that same policy with basketball games or big sporting events,” Sherman said.
This policy would be enforced later in the spring semester, according to Sherman.
Senators also brought up their concerns with snow removal following the snowstorm this past weekend. Snow continues to cover some paths and sides of the road, making it difficult for students to get onto buses without stepping in it. Icy conditions posed problems for students who have limited mobility and use a wheelchair. President Sherman assured Student Senate that he would make sure that snow would be cleared.
Suggestions were also made for those students with limited mobility to take advantage of the Cat Cab and similar services until the problem is resolved.
Additionally, Senator Luvina Cooley discussed the timing of Sherman’s appointment as president and noted the distrust among her constituents with Ohio U’s administration. Cooley asked what Sherman’s plans are to address these concerns.
“One of the things I try to do is try to be transparent and try to answer questions as clearly and honestly with the information I have,” Sherman said. “I think that we have to focus on our success and what we can accomplish together.”
In recent years enrollment has declined, however this past fall the freshman class size increased 17% compared to last year, according to Sherman. The trend has continued with the class of 2026. The university also plans on investing more into the campus through rehabilitation of the dormitories and information technology platforms which would provide a one-stop-shop for students, according to Sherman.
“We are in a position now where we can be really positive about the future,” Sherman said.
In other senate news, the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Monday has been rescheduled to this Saturday with the silent march starting at 10:30 a.m. Plans have been made by senate to place menstrual products in Baker Center’s men’s restrooms in the coming weeks.
