Feb. 7’s Student Government meeting unveiled many changes ahead for the organization as well as changes that will affect the student body.
Current and active changes towards Student Government include the resignations of junior senators Becca Schmidt and Hannah Davis as well as the reappointment of junior Jeff Maney as a senator on the Academic Affairs committee, subcommittee on undergraduate faculty.
Changes that will be affecting Student Government in the future include a new constitution that will change the way that Student Government functions and a new election process that will coexist with the new constitution.
“Student Government as whole body is changing to become a more representative body on campus,” Scott Rarick, senior and Student Government vice president, said.
Rarick explained that under the new constitution, Student Government will be comprised of representatives elected from each of the academic schools on campus. These schools are the School of Natural Sciences, Nursing & Health, the School of Management & Leadership, the School of Social Sciences & Education, the Conservatory of Music & School of Communication, and the School of Humanities.
“Rather than at-large elections, there will be representatives from each school elected to act as emissaries for each school’s particular needs, goals, and mindset,” Rarick said.
Student Government is also actively pursuing ways to improve student life on campus; specifically, updates to the Campus Center, the Lohman Complex and adding a sidewalk onto the College Avenue Apartments are currently being researched. A possible partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Bexley is also being discussed to allow students to have access to the center’s Aquatic Facilities.
A plan with the shuttle services at Capital is also under consideration to provide transportation to the Jewish Community Center, provided the partnership happens.
At the meeting, Student Government passed two resolutions unanimously with regards to campus and student life. Senate Resolution 112 will add a new hand dryer to the Men’s restroom located on the first floor of the Campus Center in order to improve flow of traffic in a highly-frequented restroom. Senate Resolution 113 will encourage the purchasing of software to help organize the numerous groups and organizations on Campus with regards to funding, accounts, transactions, etc. with Student Government.
There will be a Town Hall Meeting open to the student population Tuesday, Feb. 21st at 5 p.m. to cover the new constitution, the Jewish Community Center partnership, and any other concerns from the student body.
“Any student who has any other concerns they wish to raise with Student Government should come to the meeting,” Brianna Murphy, sophomore and senator for the academic affairs committee, subcommittee for educational support, said.
