Graduate Student Senate formed an official stance on what to look for in the next Ohio University president at its meeting Wednesday night.
After transcribing the comments made at the public forum for what students want in a new president for the university, GSS sent out a poll asking its members to rank the statements on
In March, OU President Roderick McDavis announced he will step down at the end of the 2016-17 academic year.
From this poll, the group formed an official stance on what graduate students want. The stance includes statements such as “a president who will keep the focus on academics rather than business and profit” and “a president who understands the importance of what happens with students both inside and outside of the classroom.”
The only amendment to the original letter that will be sent to the OU Presidential Search Committee was to fix minor grammatical errors.
In addition to approving the stance, the senate voted for Angie Chapman, the previous vice president for communication, to fill the empty position of vice president for legislative affairs. She also served on GSS last academic year.
“I think that my experience on GSS in the last year will be very useful on that,” Chapman said. “I’ve already been really involved in a lot of the aspects of the vice president for legislative affairs. I think the transition up to VPLA would not be very difficult for me.”
Chapman also said she is very invested in the success of GSS and hopes to have more of a role in working with everyone. However, since Chapman was the previous vice president for communication, this move leaves another executive position open that will need to be filled through the same process.
The group passed a resolution to appoint a task force that includes graduate and undergraduate students to review university naming practices, a resolution that came from a similar one faculty senate is also considering.
The current naming policy has not been reviewed since it was approved on March 31, 2003, the agenda said. It also does not include policies for naming rooms or places that are not buildings.
“It’s so important to have students on this committee just to think about the interests
GSS also had a discussion about the Graduate Student General Fee, and at the end of the discussion, Chapman proposed the formation of a task force to address issues surrounding the topic.
Additionally, GSS voted to approve some internal affairs. They appointed one new member, Jacklyn Hockenberry, and changed the rules and procedures that stated all agendas are to be sent by the Sunday before the meeting. Agendas will now be sent out the day before a GSS meeting at 5 p.m.
“I think it will be more beneficial for everyone,” Vice President for Administration and Finance Alex Burke said.
