At the final Student Senate meeting of the year last night, senators swore in new members, and graduating senators said goodbye.
As senators gave their committee reports for the final time, tears, laughter and sentimentality replaced the typically formal tone of the meeting.
Senate is more than a book of rules and fancy resolutions
said Chris Frederick, senator for residence life. Senate is about the relationships we make relationships with the school and relationships with the student body... and the friendships we make with each other.
Senate members added personal touches to their final reports. Vice President Jen Price sang a verse of Dust in the Wind. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Affairs Commissioner Doug Cloud recited his report in rhyming verse.
But each of the senators concluded in traditional fashion. After expressing gratitude and encouragement for next year's senate members, one by one they said, end of report.
Though last night's meeting served as a celebration of the year's end, senators mentioned their efforts to improve student life.
Under the direction of senior Wrienne Mitchell, senate developed the Student Renters' Union. The union created a Web site that rates local renters and provides information on available housing at www.thesruou.com.
Senate member Stephani Pleli, who serves on the university life commission, developed the Food Salvage Program at OU. The program donates leftover dining hall food to the Timothy House, a residence in Athens that lodges homeless families from the area. The idea faced months of discussion before it was approved and began Winter Quarter.
President Kristen Jensen created a program to educate first-and second-year students by posting fliers in residence hall bathrooms about student issues such as class requirements or legal rights. The program is slated to begin Fall Quarter.
Commissioner for academic affairs Annie Marsico drafted resolutions senate adopted to pressure the university to reform its general requirements so more seniors can graduate. Partly as a result of their efforts, the university moved to allow capstone courses to count as Tier III's and opened up more classes for seniors to graduate.
If it wasn't for Annie Marsico we would probably be in one of the worst situations that OU has ever faced
said Brian Footer, next year's senate president.
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Maggie Bushek
