Ohio University Student Senate heard three presentations that focused on campus accessibility, funding and general housekeeping for senate functions.
Dianne Bouvier, director of the Office of Equity and Accessibility and OU's Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, was joined by Kendall Brown-Clovis, Human Resources Liaison for the College of Arts and Sciences, in presenting on accessibility to the general body.
Bouvier and Brown-Clovis spoke of the continued efforts of the university to increase accessibility and inclusion for students with disabilities.
Beginning Spring Semester, graduate students from the Patton College of Education will analyze a survey collecting information about OU's accessibility.
“We need to shift the thinking that the burden is on the disabled to the institutions who are building the facilities and funding the programs,” Bouvier said.
The body also voted on the creation of a special committee to address campus accessibility.
Special committees do not need senate approval. However, Chief of Staff Landen Lama, explained that he wants “people to know we are serious about addressing accessibility.” The resolution passed unanimously.
Senate Appropriations Commission representatives discussed the proper procedure for securing funding for student organizations. SAC, which receives an average of 15 funding applications per week, is transitioning the way they do business.
“We are more strict than before,” SAC Vice-Commisioner Haley Klier said. “We now have a program called Budget Management System, where we basically fill in the budget line by line. It really has caused us to be more transparent with the money.”
For an organization to receive SAC funding, the senate member who oversees the relationship with the body must now attend a funding workshop, provide price documentation and gain approval from an adviser. Also, organizations must not rely solely on funding provided by SAC and must fundraise and market to supply the rest of money.
The process of auditing was also explained to the senate body. Organizations will have 45 days to provide receipts and invoices to the auditing body. Failure to provide adequate documentation or discovery of the misuse of funds will result in the freezing of accounts and return of the money provided.
The body voted to appoint Connor Attrell to serve as senator for the Scripps College of Communication.
“I am very excited about Connor’s appointment,” senate Vice President Courteney Muhl said. "He’s a very involved student, and his face is very recognizable."
Off-Campus senators Isaac Northrop and Joe Frate and Senator-At-Large Anthony Barszczewski were also appointed.
