Some of the Ohio University Student Senate’s body attended the general body meeting without the usual suit and tie to help one of their own.
Kelsey Higgins, intern director and Miss Northern Ohio Rose, will be spending five days in Belarus next year at the Vesenova Children’s Mental Asylum, where more than 140 children who have been affected by radiation reside with forms of physical and mental disabilities.
Donations from those who dressed down at the meeting will go to benefit Higgins’ goal of $3,000.
Senate looked at a bill proposed by Rep. Michael Henne, R-Clayton, which would prohibit state universities from automatically opting students into university health care policies. The change would alter OU’s current program, which requires students to opt-out of receiving health care, and will make students opt-in if they desire services.
Opinions were split on the topic, though the increased cost for students who do choose the program as well as those who might forget to opt-in when they need the services were considered.
“You are going to have a lot more students that forget to opt-in and are stuck with bills that are thousands of dollars,” said Nick Southall, Senate president.
Representatives from F—k Rape Culture spearheaded a conversation about sexual consent in hopes of communication continuing into the bedroom.
“You can’t assume that consent exists; you have to ensure that it’s verbal, enthusiastic and sober,” said Allie Erwin, co-founder of the organization and Honors Tutorial College senator. “You have to try to create an environment where people feel free to say ‘no.’”
Under the Ohio Revised Code, individuals who are incapacitated due to alcohol are not legally able to give consent. Inebriation was a common talking point, as was how to best intervene before sexual assault takes place.
“When you call someone out on it, even nonverbally…it can actually have a big effect,” said Madison Koenig, a junior studying English and a member of the organization.
The body also heard from Ian Dryburgh, regional marketing manager at USA Today, who gave an update on the senate-funded Bobcat Readership Program. Though 97 percent of papers distributed to campus in two locations — Baker University Center and Alden Library — are picked up, the number of available papers were cut from the 2012-13 academic year.
The New York Times, USA Today and The Columbus Dispatch are all distributed as a part of the program. 108,773 newspapers were picked up from Aug. 27, 2012 to May 5, 2013.
Senate spends about $50,000 a year on the papers, said Ryan Lombardi, vice president for Student Affairs and Senate’s advisor.
The balance of the Senate Appropriations Commission was $39,122.23 at the meeting while senate’s budget was $18,564.29.
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