Correction Appended: A previous version of this article referred to Evan Serra as a current LGBTQIA+ Senator. A correction has been made as he is a former senator.
Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. in Walter 145, Ohio University Student Senate met for its weekly general body meeting.
Evan Serra took the floor during student speakout to bring attention to Thomas Hayes, an associate professor in the OU school of film, who was abducted by Israeli forces early Wednesday morning aboard the Conscience, while enroute to Gaza.
Serra also mentioned the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, saying it is still “alive and well,” and despite the good education he feels he gets from the university, he said he thinks SB1 considers environmental science to be of opinion, not fact.
Serra ended student speakout asking for more progress and open communication from OU’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, which intends to achieve carbon neutrality.
Roll call was taken shortly after Serra finished addressing his concerns, in which everyone was present. Brendan Miller, the director of Students Defending Students, gave the Senate an overview of SDS.
Miller explained how SDS has a formal role in the student disciplinary process, mentioning the organization is coming up on its 5-year anniversary.
Miller presented the processes behind SDS, in which he explained the organization speaks on behalf of students through Community Standards and Student Responsibility when a student has received a letter due to a violation.
He said he would love to see more awareness of their organization, how it works to support students, as well as general awareness of the Student Code of Conduct.
The first orders of business were Senate resolution 2526-46, and resolution 2526-47, to purchase refreshments for the media literacy event, as well as purchasing candy for the Day of the Dead event. The two resolutions' budgets were approved and passed.
Resolution 2526-48 requested supplies to be bought for the public relations team. Social media manager Ruben Lopez urged the committee to vote yes, as social media presence is an effective way for the Senate to connect and inform students.
The resolution also asked for new microphones to enhance the audio quality in their videos, and the resolution was passed.
Resolutions 2526-49 through 2526-52 were introduced to the Senate, which appointed a Women's Affairs Senator, Ellie Moss, Resident Life Senator, Madison Hale, Public Relations Assistant, Jennifer Kogovsek and an Associate Justice to the Judicial Panel, Sydney Sobol.
The Senate moved on to the committee reports with a discussion of the recent City Council meeting Monday, which included homelessness accommodations, the city’s national opioid settlement funds and fines on buildings in abatement, as well as fines for solicitors.
One commissioner said they were not able to meet with housing this week to discuss the distribution of red zone flyers and the possibilities of awareness campaigns. The eco sheets are said to be doing well, which was a Senate initiative to provide Bobcats with laundry detergent.
Events such as international craft night Oct. 20 and open mic night Nov. 17 are approaching, and the details for the panel on International Women's Rights are currently being finalized. Events are also in the works for LGBTQ+ History Month, as well as Pride week activities, which are in the early planning stages for March.
With that, the committee reports concluded, in which President Dan Gordillo, Vice President Taras Tarasun and Treasurer Luke Fredericks spoke briefly about upcoming events and budget plans for the remainder of the semester.
Tony Gregory, Director for Student Organizations and Campus Programming, gave his advisory report on acknowledging the fast-approaching Halloween, along with encouraging students to continue to support students of all backgrounds.
The meeting was adjourned shortly after a reminder about Cats Cupboard’s meal bank donation week, and graduate assistant Tuba Ahmad told the Senate to be kind to themselves and take care of their mental health.
