At the meeting, student senators will vote on a resolution that would amend the constitution of the body on the issue of referendums.
Students may have a larger say in Ohio University's Student Senate's actions next year if a resolution passes at its meeting Wednesday.
At the meeting, student senators will vote on a resolution that would amend the constitution of the body on the issue of referendums.
According to the resolution, a referendum would be questions posed to the entire student body to assess students' stances on an issue that senate would be voting on. Referendums would be used if two-thirds of the senate body agree that they want students to be polled.
The referendum vote, whether for or against an issue, would be translated into one-third of the total votes in the senate, resulting in a direct effect on Student Senate's vote.
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Courteney Muhl, senator for the College of Health Sciences and Professions and co-sponsor of the resolution, said the current system offers no formal method of taking in the student body’s opinion.
“(The referendums) wouldn't be something that the student body would see frequently,” Muhl said. “We envision it being on issues that would have a significant impact on the students at large.”
Because the resolution would amend senate’s current constitution, a two-thirds majority of members would have to be in favor of the resolution for it to pass. Even if it passes in the senate, it would not go into effect until next year, and that would only be if the Board of Trustees approved it, Muhl said.
“We’ve had really great constructive feedback," Muhl said. "So one of the things that was brought to us ... is amending or discussing the possibility of amending the resolution so that, instead of the complete one-third of the student vote being given to the student’s majority opinion, kinda giving the votes in a ratio.”
Carolyn Miller, senator at-large, said the resolution is a really great idea, and she will definitely vote yes.
“The whole point of Student Senate is to get all these student voices in there,” Miller said.
The body will also vote on five additional resolutions at Wednesday’s meeting.
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A resolution to change senate rules to add four additional SAC at-large senator seats will be voted on at the meeting.
Hannah Clouser, senate treasurer, explained that senate temporarily voted earlier in the academic year to have four additional SAC senators, but said an official and permanent rule change has to be made.
If the rule change passes, students would be voting for nine SAC senators, instead of the five last year, come election time, Clouser said.
Three additional resolutions are to appoint students to different positions. The body will vote on appointing two uFund at-large senators, a SAC at-large senator and three people to serve on the Rules and Procedures Committee.
On Wednesday night, senate will also vote on a resolution to form the committee that will select student trustees.
Additionally, the body will hear the annual State of the Senate Address from President Gabby Bacha.
“I plan on discussing the things we've accomplished and what we are looking forward to this next semester,” Bacha said in an email. “This is a way for me to connect with the body and energize them to finish the year strong.”
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