Graduate Student Senate passed a resolution yesterday beginning a process to obtain voting rights for future student members of the Board of Trustees, a step that Senate President Dominic Barbato said would increase shared governance at Ohio University.
The two current student trustees are given an advisory role, but are not given voting rights.
Student trustees are the most involved in campus life and are capable of representing their constituency through voting if given the power, said Drew Pusateri, senator for the College of Education.
We have two outstanding student trustees
and I am satisfied with their input Pusateri said. If voting rights aren't given then what is the guarantee that the future won't be submissive?
The implementation of voting rights might put too much responsibility on student trustees and could isolate members of the student population, said Lydia Gerthoffer, one of two current student trustees. Micah Mitchell is the other student trustee, but he was not in attendance.
I feel that my opinions are taken into account
Gerthoffer said. If given voting rights, student trustees would be required to meet with every student group on campus, and the position would potentially be full time, she said.
Gerthoffer added that she encouraged Senate to come to its own conclusion about the resolution.
Just because I don't want it doesn't mean we shouldn't push forward
she said.
The process to obtain voting rights for the students will be long and complex, Pusateri said.
The extent of student trustee involvement means that they deserve voting rights, said Sam Rossi, senator for the College of Arts and Sciences.
If the two of you (student trustees) are the most active
then you deserve that voice
he said.
Senate also passed a resolution expressing condolences to those affected by yesterday's Virginia Tech shootings. The document asks for a moment of silence at today's town hall meeting with OU President Roderick McDavis.
I was very saddened by this tragedy and believe that senate takes any possible measure to honor the victims
said Will Tarter, black affairs commissioner and the resolution's sponsor.
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