The Ohio University Student Senate will wrap up the year tonight at its final general body meeting after three quarters of grappling with OU's budget problems and in-house organizational changes.
As of their last meeting, senate had passed 63 resolutions during the year, 29 of which addressed student issues and improvements to senate rules. President Katherine Smith, who after tonight will turn over her duties to President-elect Jamie Walter, said she is pleased with several of this year's accomplishments.
"I think we've put in place a number of really good ideas that will make us better connected with students," she said.
Entering the year, senate created a position for an organization liaison to communicate with and gather feedback from student organizations, Smith said. In February, senate adopted an addition to its rules requiring senate members to visit every student organization at least once a year.
Next year will be the first year the rule will be implemented. Vice President Matt Hunter said next year's vice president, Katie Simpson, will take on the task of assigning senators to organizations. Although senators did not complete a planned test of the program in the spring, Hunter said the idea would work.
"It's good for senators to be out there," he said. "I'm not sure how much feedback they'll get, because a lot of times when we go out to student organizations, we don't get a lot, but if we get one or two ideas, then it's something."
Senate not only made changes to its rules but also dealt with a change in its executive officers early in the year. In the fall, then-Vice President Josh Wolf resigned, and Hunter, Off-Campus Life Senator at the time, took over.
Despite the changes, Smith pointed out several senate highlights, including the plans for a women's center in the new student center, the online book exchange launched Winter Quarter and the call for changes in the judiciary system.
At its last meeting, senate adopted a resolution to urge University Judiciaries to increase its standard of proof used in cases. Colin Mulloy, senator-at-large and representative for Students Defending Students, said he would ask to add two more resolutions supporting additional changes to judiciaries to tonight's agenda.
OU's tight budget situation also had an effect on senate. The implementation of Bobcat Cash in Uptown businesses, once an important goal, has been deemed financially impossible, Smith said.
State budget issues also have directed much of Senate's work this year. Smith has testified to the Ohio legislature to lobby for higher education funding, she said. Brian Footer, state and federal affairs commissioner, has lobbied with the Ohio Council of Student Governments, as well.
Senate also has fought OU's current hiring freeze. In February it urged OU to hire a compliance officer for the Student Exchange and Visitor Information Service, and in April senate adopted a resolution in support of filling the assistant director of health education and wellness position, which will be vacated after this year.
As for next year's senate members, who will be sworn in at tonight's meeting, OU's budget concerns will again be a major problem they face, Smith said.
"Senate is going to have be very vigilant in making sure that students still get their education," she said.
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