Ohio University Student Senate’s name has made its way to newsstands, posters and legislative desks.
Senate launched a monthly newsletter this week, which previews its upcoming and university events, provides an overview of the body and has a brief on commissions—some of which have made names for themselves in Columbus.
Senate’s governmental affairs commission has been working closely with Rep. Michael Stinziano, D-Columbus, and Rep. Mike Duffey, R-Worthington, on House Bill 111—which would grant student trustees the permissive right to vote.
“Now that we’re being seen more in the Statehouse, now they are coming to us,” said Nick Southall, senate president.
Other representatives have begun reaching out to the body, including Rep. Michael Henne, R-Clayton, who has been working on a bill that would forbid state universities from requiring or automatically enrolling students in their health insurances.
“I really, really think it’s awesome that senate is being given the task of leading … it’s really humbling for this body to be getting all this feedback from elected people,” said Jordan Ballinger, senate’s governmental affairs commissioner.
Ballinger will give a presentation about the proposed health care change at senate’s Wednesday meeting.
Updates about senate’s agenda for meetings can be found on the newsletter, one way which Anna Morton, senate vice president, hopes the body can better reach students.
“(We want students) knowing that there’s a body advocating for them and that someone is there for them as a resource,” Morton said.
The first round of newsletters were printed on senate’s printer, though they might try to find another method for future publications, Morton said.
The body also introduced a Rape Culture Awareness poster campaign this week, which addresses myths regarding sexual assault.
“This is obviously a hot topic this semester; there’s a lot of discussions going on on campus ... and we just want to help out,” Southall said.
The posters were paid for by Treasurer Austin LaForest’s discretionary fund—about 12 percent of the budget that can be spent without approval from the chair of the Committee on the Budget—of this, $375 was spent on the posters.
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