VOICE, one of two parties running for Student Senate, claims to be “the voice of diversity.” One way they plan to make their voices heard on the front of diversity is by expanding gender-neutral housing. Supposedly, Student Senate “led the way with gender-neutral housing” just by “(passing) a resolution.” Yet, as the student who organized the student movement for GNH, I remember things a little differently.
From what I recall, Student Senate only passed a resolution after Residential Housing created a focus group to examine the benefits of GNH and how it could be implemented at Ohio University. After I individually put together a 30-page proposal for administrators and met with the current vice president for Student Affairs. Only after numerous lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations on campus devoted copius hours to administering surveys to students around campus to gauge their opinions on GNH. Student Senate’s resolution was only a small factor in the implementation of GNH, and it is inaccurate and belittling to all others involved for VOICE to claim GNH was “led” by Student Senate.
Furthermore, VOICE has failed to speak with key parties about the current needs of GNH. Instead, GNH is something that comes up around election time and is used as a buzzword to prove the party’s focus on diversity. If VOICE had spoken with residents, Residential Housing, or those who work with GNH, they would know that there is no current demand for expansion. What is best for GNH right now is promotion of the option, not expansion of available spots. Student Senate, specifically the Residential Housing Commission, has failed to continue advocating for GNH, a program they claim to have “led.” I am usually contacted a month or two before elections and asked to meet with someone on the commission, yet these meetings never seem to occur.
Do not misinterpret this letter; I DO appreciate Student Senate’s encouragement and their passing of a supportive resolution. I also appreciate the leadership skills I gained through being on Student Senate (I was vice commissioner and then commissioner of LGBT Affairs). However, I think a flaw of Student Senate as a whole is that it fails to give credit to those who have done more than just passed a resolution. Actions speak louder than words. I ask VOICE to stop stepping on the accomplishments of others to further themselves. Instead, VOICE should prove to campus that they care about diversity by putting forth beneficial and factual action plans. They should also recognize those campus offices and organizations who have helped them “(lead) the way with Gender Neutral Housing.”
Amelia Shaw is a senior studying sociology and women’s and gender studies.
