In the first of what we’re sure will be many disruptions to the way Student Senate usually does things, President-elect Megan Marzec asked current senate President Anna Morton if she could be sworn in under a revised executive oath.
Any change to the oath would have to be approved by a majority of the current senate body in a vote, and Morton said a vote isn’t going to happen this academic year.
We think that’s for the best. Just as the 27th Amendment prohibits members of Congress from giving themselves a pay raise, we don’t think a public official should be able to customize the oath he or she takes.
Even though the change won’t happen this year, we still think it’s a topic worth discussing — especially because, after reading the current oath, we see plenty of room for improvement.
Here’s the oath as it’s written today: “I (name of Executive Officer) swear (or affirm) that I will uphold the Constitution and Rules and Procedures of Senate, faithfully carry out my duties as an Executive Officer, do nothing to bring shame or discredit to Senate or the University and ensure that Senate fulfills its duties and responsibilities as the student government of Ohio University.”
Ignoring for a moment the causeless capitalization, we think those last two bits of the oath are unnecessary. Aren’t the premises that you shouldn’t bring shame to the organization you represent and that you should do your job just given? You might as well add, “I solemnly swear not to fall asleep during weekly body meetings.” It’s a no-brainer.
So, sure, the current oath needs some tweaking, but we’re not crazy about the proposed oath either.
The first half of that oath reads: “I (name) will work diligently to advance the cause of student autonomy, solidarity, power and liberation. I will never abandon the student struggle against corporatization of higher education and for social, environmental and economic justice.”
That’s a bit too specific. An oath should be inherently broad; it ties the individual to the position, not to specific policies or beliefs. If an officer disagrees — now or in the future — what happens? The gist of an oath should be to uphold the governing document of the position. If you’d like to change that document, in this case Student Senate’s constitution, go for it. But you don’t need to get into the nuts and bolts of your platform in the oath. It’s not the place for it, and it will put those who disagree in a tough spot.
Because everyone seems to be floating ideas for oaths, we thought we’d offer our own clean, straightforward recommendation:
“I (name of executive officer) swear (or affirm) that I will uphold the Ohio University Student Senate Constitution and Rules and Procedures and carry out to the best of my ability my duties and responsibilities as an executive officer.”
That’s got a nice ring to it.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.
