Student Senate hosted a town hall Monday night to address campus safety and the concerns of both students and organizations on campus.
Senate started hosting semesterly town hall meetings last year, President Lydia Ramlo said. The meetings’ topics of discussion are widely decided by the public, but campus safety was one topic Senate knew it wanted to discuss.
“It gives a chance for students who are affiliated with student organizations, or are not, to express concerns, ideas or even issues they are experiencing on campus to bring to our attention,” Ramlo said.
Senate addressed campus safety by advertising resources students can utilize. Of some of the apps for safety, the one mentioned the most was Bobcat Safe. The app was launched earlier this year with help from Senate, according to a previous Post report.
The app helps give contacts for anyone feeling unsafe to call, and also provides maps and connections to friends that are nearby. Senate noted that many students still do not know about some of the other safety apps available.
Among those who attended the town hall were VARIANT magazine members and Spanish Club members. Other students that showed up didn’t belong to an organization but wanted to voice their concerns. Amongst them were skateboarders upset about skate park equipment from the basketball court on South Green being taken away.
That conversation led to a discussion about funding for student organizations.
It was noted that there are applications for semester funding for organizations, but some students were still curious about the issue. The senate members told students that if students market something that can enhance their education, then they can get funding.
The expanding conversation on mental health was also discussed. Active Minds, a national organization that aims to end the stigma around mental health, has an Ohio University chapter that presented to Senate earlier this semester, according to a previous Post report.
Topics such as diversity and survivor advocacy were also discussed.
