Of the money the body received this academic year, notable expenditures include a comedy event at The Convo, Pride Week and Take Back the Night.
Each year, students contribute money to Ohio University as a part of their dues to pay for various non-academic portions of the university.
One of those groups, OU Student Senate, receives a portion of that money through the Division of Student Affairs to use for various projects, according to Hannah Clouser, senate treasurer and president-elect.
"I think even if we didn't receive general fee money, we would still feel committed because we are elected representatives and have a duty to serve those who elected us to the best of our ability," Clouser said in an email.
Of the approximate $20,700 the body received this academic year, notable expenditures include the Bobcat Board, a comedy event at The Convo, Pride Week, Take Back the Night and the American Student Government Association Conference, according to budgets provided by senate members.
Comedy night
Student Senate originally planned to hold a spring concert, which was part of the SOS ticket’s proposal last year, but instead opted for a comedy night because Number Fest offered many similarities to a spring concert, according to a previous Post report.
Saturday Night Live comedian Aidy Bryant headlined the free event August 22 in The Convo during Welcome Weekend.
The body also used most of the approximately $6,000 left in its budget from last year to help pay for the comedy night, Clouser said in a previous Post report.
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Clouser said they wanted to use the money for advocacy and programs she felt were lacking in last year’s senate.
Senate does not expect to have a substantial amount of money left to use for student scholarships this year, President Gabby Bacha said in a previous Post report.
Pride Week
Senate passed a budget Feb. 3 to spend about $1,800 for Pride Week, which occurred March 7 to March 11.
With the budget, senate hoped to organize more events after only planning one last year, according a previous Post report.
The weeklong event included a social, a vigil and multiple presentations, according to a previous Post report.
Bobcat Board
Senate spent about $1,800 for Bobcat Board, which offers ride-sharing options, among other student-help services.
The body received transfer money from OU’s Office of Information Technology to cover those costs.
Take Back the Night
Student Senate allocated nearly $2,000 for the weeklong event that aims to support survivors of sexual assault and promote sexual assault awareness.
The body approved the budget in late March to cover the cost of T-shirts, food for participants and travel and accommodations for the event’s keynote speaker, Stephanie Gilmore, a former educator and writer who decided to advocate for ending sexual violence on college campuses.
American Student Government Association Conference
Senate budgeted about $3,300 for senators to travel to the American Student Government Association Conference in New York City late February.
The conference helps connect student government leaders and advisers from around the country.
It included topics such as judicial panels, sexual assault prevention and appropriations commissions, according to a previous Post report.
— Maygan Beeler contributed to this report.
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