With the Vision party's sweeping victory a few weeks ago, claiming all but one spot on Ohio University's Student Senate, it is perhaps a fitting time to reflect on the nature and purpose of OU's most influential student organization. While Student Senate is large and multi-faceted, most students are seemingly apathetic toward its existence. This year's election, as usual, saw less than 10 percent of the undergraduate population turn out to vote. This is not without reason as, regardless of what party dominates it, the Student Senate has consistently disappointed in its efforts to represent the students it serves, spending more time on resolutions concerning state and national legislation as opposed to addressing relevant issues affecting students. In many ways, Senate's hands are tied, which the Vision party freely admitted during an interview. But if the organization is so limited, then it is no surprise students are apathetic about it.
The Vision party defeated OUnity, a party with candidates who never before served on the Student Senate. The ideological contrast between the two parties featured the latter's desire to make sweeping changes, countered by the former's conviction that such changes simply are not feasible because they have been attempted in the past. This growing trend of ineffectiveness from newcomers and veterans alike has resulted in a disaffected student body not remotely concerned with what the Student Senate is doing.
Meanwhile, the organization receives benefits from the university administration. Part of the attractiveness of the presidency of Student Senate is full tuition benefits, and both the vice president and the treasurer receive half tuition. No other undergraduate organization on campus receives such benefits, according to the university. If the leaders of the Student Senate are to continue receiving such benefits, so too should the leaders of other organizations. If not, then the university should deny benefits to this one organization.
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