Ohio University Student Senate has taken a stand in favor of permissive student trustee voting rights, and Wednesday some members went to Columbus to share those sentiments with the people in power.
House Bill 111, as written, mandates student trustee voting rights, though there will be a modification in the bill to make voting rights permissive, which advocates hope will garner more support in the General Assembly.
If permissive, each Board of Trustees would vote whether to allow their student trustees to vote with the rest of the board’s voting members.
The bill’s co-sponsors Rep. Michael Stinziano, D-Columbus, and Rep. Mike Duffey, R-Worthington, have worked closely with some of OU’s senate members to gain momentum for the bill, calling on them to be student leaders in the push for the bill.
“I think a lot of student governments are not very proactive … students here at Ohio University are very progressive, proactive and willing to take on the task of actually doing something,” said Jordan Ballinger, OU’s senate governmental affairs commissioner. “We are fighting for student rights because they are our constituency.”
Some local representatives share the students’ support for the bill, including State Sen. Lou Gentile, D-Steubenville, who represents Athens.
“I do support providing student trustees with voting rights. I think it will enhance their voice on behalf of the students of the university, and I support that and would encourage universities around the state to provide them with voting rights,” Gentile said.
State Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Albany, echoed the senator’s sentiments.
“It’s just important to the process for everyone who is a part of the board to feel like they’re there as full and equal members,” Phillips said.
The bill is expected to move out of the House and into the Senate by January. The biggest pushback is expected to come from Senate Republicans.
Ballinger said he will continue supporting the bill.
“The more students who are up there saying they want this passed, the more likely the bill is going to pass because it’s a student bill,” Ballinger said.
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