As of Wednesday evening, Ohio University’s Student Senate is run by a woman — for the first time since 2006.
Anna Morton, previously senate’s vice president, was sworn in by Ryan Lombardi, vice president for Student Affairs and senate’s advisor, as the new president before the Wednesday night meeting officially began.
The majority of the meeting was spent listening to senators’ presentations and students choosing to run for the vacant vice president position.
The body voted to allow any current OU undergraduate student, graduate student or doctoral candidate to run for the position after Morton’s suggestion.
“I told her I thought it was a good decision,” Lombardi said.
There were 11 votes against the suspension — but it wasn’t enough to overrule the 2/3 majority required to put it in effect.
Those who nominated themselves for the vice president position Wednesday night were:
- Adam Brown, South Green senator
- Allie Erwin, Honors Tutorial College senator who co-founded F--k Rape Culture
- Tyler Daniels, senator at-large on the university life commission
- Mary Kate Gallagher, former residence life commissioner who stepped down in September, citing senate’s behavior that made her feel like an “outsider”
- Jacob Chaffin, former vice commissioner and lobbying chief who ran for vice president against Morton on the FUSS ticket.
Each vice presidential candidate was given five minutes to present themselves to the body, followed by 10 minutes for questions from members of the body and students in attendance.
“This is a professional organization and it needs to be acting more professional,” Gallagher said.
Senate voted to expand the time Erwin, Gallagher and Chaffin had to speak.
OU students can also enter the running by stopping by the senate office in Baker 305 this week. Senate plans on voting on a new vice president next Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Lombardi also discussed potential commencement speakers, without naming potential candidates already identified, for the May graduation ceremonies.
Some OU faculty members were suggested by senate as well as OU alumna Yvette McGee Brown, the first African-American female to serve as a justice on the Ohio Supreme Court, and former child star Frankie Muniz, whose band Kingsfoil frequently visits Athens, among others.
Director of OU’s Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Schaus asked senate its opinions on moving Bobcat Student Park from behind Peden Stadium to the side of Walter Hall.
Lombardi also announced he and OU President Roderick McDavis will be holding monthly open forums.
@mariadevito13
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