They came. They saw. They accomplished.
Although it got off to a rough start, this year’s Student Senate managed to come through on the bulk of the promises made during last spring’s campaign.
Many people argue that senate hid in the shadows of administrators, but when it boils down to it, this year’s representatives did the things they said they would. And, for the most part, did them well.
We don’t always see eye to eye with it — but for the past three quarters senate operated as an active representation for and voice of the student body to both the Ohio University administration and city officials.
A year after this year’s leadership was sworn in, gender-neutral housing is now a permanent option for students, the Bobcat Lounge is open for student use and the piloted Bobcat Readership Program has been secured for next fall. Even in the wake of a riotous Palmer Fest, the following day’s Athens Beautification Day saw three times more participants than the previous year’s.
That’s not to say there weren’t shortfalls and lessons to be learned by next year’s student leaders.
In a year in which a tuition increase was seemingly sprung on the student body, we wish senate leaders would have been more publicly outraged at how little notice was given before the Board of Trustees voted on the hike. OU’s decision to forgo budget forums and extended discussion of the fees gave students little chance to oppose the tuition increase — leaving key stakeholders out of the decision.
That said, Student Senate acted appropriately by passing a resolution that expressed concerns about the tuition hike, and developed the current letter-writing campaign in which senate members are reaching out to state lawmakers about prioritizing college affordability.
Senate may not be holding rallies on College Green, but the letter-writing campaign is a tangible project with the potential to effect change.
We ask that next year’s senate continue to focus on tangible achievements. That said, senate’s largest problem will remain the public perception that it accomplishes little. This year’s public-relations efforts were a step in the right direction but must be multiplied if the senators hope to ever shed their “do nothing” image permanently.
It’s important to keep in mind that it’s Student Senate’s job to educate, represent and mobilize students. Whether through hosting public forums and debates (a potential solution during the fall’s Senate Bill 5 debacle) or partnering with student organizations to provide further publicity for its programming, student leaders must remember that the students should always come before the senate.
This year’s leadership departs with an abundance of accomplishments, goals met and lessons learned. The challenge, 2012-13 senate, is being even better.
