After an investigation, Graduate Student Senate found that there was no misconduct during a “hostile” meeting between Ohio University President Roderick McDavis and some graduate students at his office hours last month, said Carl Edward Smith III, president of the senate.
The Administrative Standards and Review Committee found that, “although regrettable, the intensity of President McDavis’ reactions, deemed hostile by some students, matched the pointedness of the initial questioning,” according to the investigation report, which was shared at GSS’ Monday meeting.
During McDavis’ office hours on Sept. 30, nine graduate students came to discuss graduate student pay and voice other concerns about the payment of administrators. It turned into a personal attack on the president’s salary, said Guy Aldridge, chair of the Administrative Standards and Review Committee.
“He did raise his voice, talk over students when they were clarifying what they meant ... saying those facts were untrue,” Brian Muccioli, a GSS member who was at McDavis’ open office hours, previously told The Post.
Aldridge, however, said the committee found “no evidence of inappropriate behavior.”
GSS also discussed a resolution to discontinue Grad Fest until 2015.
“Grad Fest eats up about two-thirds of our budget each year,” Smith said. “We can spend the money elsewhere.”
Twenty-two people attended the last fest, Smith said.
When asked how much money was leftover from the previous academic year, GSS members did not disclose the budget.
“We need to fund a project that came up last year and again this year to archive studies, policies, policy reform proposals and major project initiative that the graduate student senate has taken on during the years,” he said.
In order to make that a reality, GSS is attempting to create a five to 10 minute video archive that will cost at least a couple thousand dollars, Smith said.
The resolution will be revisited at the next meeting — Nov. 3.
Members also discussed how to improve communication among senators and commissioners.
Senate passed a resolution “simply establishing rules for executive GSS (representatives) to communicate with GSS members,” said Emma Wright, senator for the College of Business.
“We want to outline clear rules and avoid miscommunication,” Wright said.
GSS voted to postpone discussion about graduate student emergency medical and parental leave until the next meeting.
Different GSS committees and commissions also discussed the policies and projects they are starting to work on, including crafting T-shirt quilts for the homeless and encouraging the addition of solar panels to Baker University Center.
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