I support Megan Marzec as Ohio University Student Senate president. I believe that her steadfast belief in a democratic student body at Ohio University and her passion for a just and fair educational system are two of her most critically important stands as student body leader.
I support Megan Marzec as Ohio University Student Senate president. I believe that her steadfast belief in a democratic student body at Ohio University and her passion for a just and fair educational system are two of her most critically important stands as student body leader.
As a member of the activist community on campus for the past few years, I have interacted with Megan in many instances. Not only is she an intelligent, well-versed, and informed individual, she is a reachable leader—she is willing to meet students where they are, and more so, she is encouraging of students to use their voices and positions as members of this university community to affect change in a positive manner—to voice their beliefs, to join in solidarity, to make systemic change happen.
Megan’s actions in regards to the “ice bucket challenge” have been quickly reprimanded by many, and although it has been a controversial action, her message, and the message of the Restart campaign that was democratically elected by the student body in April, is still alive and consistent within the student body. OU students are organizing themselves against injustices on a regular basis—the student organization F--K RAPE CULTURE rallied at the Athens County Courthouse just last week to stand against a system that perpetuates rape culture. The first week of classes, a dozen students marched in solidarity for Michael Brown, the 18-year-old African American man who was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. This academic year has just begun and students are organizing, feeling safe and moved to vocalize their opposition to these injustices.
While we don’t have to agree with Megan’s decision to vocalize her opinion on a specific issue, we can appreciate, outside of this, her call to students to be active participants in the student political system. Megan’s statement does not in any way take away from what Student Senate and the student body together have accomplished and are working towards this year.
Instead of condemning this action, we should focus our energy on supporting our democratic student body and supporting political discourse among students.
Autumn Setzler is a student at Ohio University.
