Ohio University student senate met Wednesday to pass procedural resolutions and discuss commission goals for this academic year.
President Megan Handle was unable to attend the meeting due to illness and requested Vice President Isaac Davis mention she echoes everything he says about each resolution.
The new business addressed included setting a weekly meeting time, agreeing to abide by Robert's rules of order and designating the format of legislation. All resolutions passed.
“It's just a procedural thing that will make sure that all the resolutions and bills that we're putting forward to the floor are organized in a way that makes it easy to be understood across the board,” Davis said.
Following the legislation were commission reports from the Academic Affairs Commission, Governmental Affairs Commission, Women's Affairs Commission and Environmental Affairs Commission.
Each commission spoke about what events they were planning and what they hoped to accomplish this year.
Dan Gordillo, a sophomore studying political science and the Senate’s government affairs commissioner, mentioned voting events along with legislation he hopes to bring back to the senate from last year.
“There are some very important issues on the ballot whether or not you’re registered to vote in the city of Athens,” Gordillo said. “For example, on the Ohio ballot is the abortion and marijuana issues. If you live in Athens, this is an important election year since we are voting for a new mayor. The Governmental Affairs Commission intends to put out a voter guide, a way for people to understand exactly what they're voting for”.
The LGBTQIA+ and University Life Commissions, having first-time senate members in leadership positions, spoke about themselves and what they would like to bring to Senate.
“I will be needing some guidance and some cooperation with you all. Be patient with me, I want to work really hard and I'm very excited about this,” Olivia Kaiser, university life commissioner, said.
Leadership and executive members each gave reports and introduced themselves. Davis read a statement Handle had written to the senate to express her apologies for missing the first general body meeting and welcomed everyone to Senate.
“Welcome to Senate, (I) can't wait to see all of your lovely faces around the office next week and accomplish lots this year,” Davis read.
To finish the meeting, Regean Farmer, senate treasurer, discussed the Senate’s funds for the year and a few changes including, the discontinuation of the Senate’s UFund and Spot accounts.
The Senate currently has a total of $117,123.70 in the Senate Appropriations Commission (SAC) and Senate itself currently has $38,020.70. Of the total, $7,572.90 has been allocated but not yet spent.
