Letter to the Editor: Letter to administration from student leaders

President Roderick McDavis,
Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit,
Vice President of Student Affairs Jason Pina,
Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones,

Dear Administrators,

As student leaders on this campus, we feel it is imperative to voice our concerns regarding what transpired last Feb. 1, as well as our concerns about our campus moving forward. We also believe it is imperative to heal the division created between the administration and some of our students – something that should undoubtedly be one of your top priorities.

Seeing members of our student body – who we consider our “Bobcat Family” – forcefully removed from a peaceful protest was not only an irresponsible, disgusting act on your behalf but extremely shortsighted. Instead of listening to students, some administrators decided it would be better to stand behind police officers. Instead of ensuring students that they would be safe on Ohio University’s campus, our police officers decided to arrest them. Instead of standing in solidarity with the hundreds of students that can potentially be affected by this executive order, President McDavis supported OUPD’s decision to arrest students.

We could endlessly dissect our executive administration’s actions, but what good would come of this. We would like to see that our administration apologizes for their actions and promises to assist as much as possible to guarantee that no further action be taken against the students arrested, both in our legal system and through the Office of Community Standards.

We understand that our administration severely blundered last week – faculty members realize that students realize that, but what is so difficult for you to understand? Administrators, we all make mistakes. Trust me, you are on a campus full of young students who are all too familiar with mistakes, but, with the aid of our faculty and peers – our Bobcat Family – we grow, learn and better ourselves.

At the end of the day, everyone in this discussion wants the same things and it is vital to understand that. Please allow students on this campus, who have been protesting to protect our international students and asking for your guidance in this time, to come to the table to discuss the necessary steps that our university must take.

Yours Sincerely,

Nicholas H. Felt 

Governmental Affairs Commissioner, Student Senate

Jordan Kelley

LGBTQA Vice-Commissioner, Student Senate

Sarah Pinter

Environmental Affairs Commissioner, Student Senate

Danielle Easton 

Off-Campus Senator, Student Senate

Nick Crawford

Minority Affairs Commissioner, Student Senate

Carolyn Miller

Senator At-Large, Student Senate

Anna Neawedde

LGBTQA Affairs Commissioner, Student Senate

Joe Frate

Off-Campus Senator, Student Senate

Connor Attrell

Scripps College ofCommunication Senator, Student Senate

Cassidy Paul

Women’s Affairs Commissioner, Student Senate