Student Trustee Mia Citino attended the Student Senate meeting Wednesday to discuss the Board of Trustees’ recent developments, and Senate President Dayna Shoulders gave her State of the Senate speech.
Citino told Senate about the Board’s recently approved projects and plans, beginning with those of the Academics and Student Success committee.
One of the projects the Academics and Student Success Committee is working on is providing more digital course materials to students. The university buys access to digital textbooks in bulk, which it then resells to students at a cheaper price.
Citino said the program eliminates barriers students may encounter when trying to find materials. The program’s goals include saving students money and changing the way faculty choose learning materials, Citino said.
“The first (goal) was to increase student savings to $12 million, and the second was to engage in a multi-pronged approach for faculty to find, adopt and teach with a variety of affordable learning materials,” Citino said.
Citino then gave an update on OU’s ASCENT program, which is funded by a $3 million grant that is awarded over three years from Intel’s semiconductor education and research program.
“The goal is… to accelerate readiness and enable the workforce needed for operations of (Intel’s) new semiconductor fabrication facilities in the state of Ohio,” Citino said.
Citino also told Senate about renovation developments, most recently the planned window replacements in Putnam Hall. Citino reported that the Board had approved the use of funds for the housing construction plan.
“This first section of the plan that they're working on is 600 beds,” Citino said. “It will start the summer of 2024 and then aim to finish by the fall of 2026. The goal is to have housing 100% renovated in the next six years.”
Citino said the search for the next Student Trustee has begun and online applications for the position will be due on Feb. 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Following Citino’s presentation, Senate passed a resolution to allow spending of just under $3,000 for the transportation, registration and hotel rooms for the Ohio Student Government Summit.
Caleb Alamo was appointed Director of Students Defending Students (SDS). The SDS is comprised of trained student advisers who advocate for student rights through the university's judicial process, Shoulders said.
Following Senate’s motions, Senate President Dayna Shoulders gave her State of the Senate speech, during which she recounted and praised the actions of her fellow Senate members and their respective committees.
Shoulders said she has enjoyed herself and is proud of the actions she and her fellow Senate members have taken in support of the student body.
“This is a true legacy that is starting here in Senate and that will be continued here in Senate, and I am very proud to serve as your president,” Shoulders said.
