Ohio University Student Senate

What is Senate?

Student Senate is the unicameral student government of Ohio University. Senators represent all students and advocate the student opinion to administrators through legislation and as members of university communities. Throughout its history, the Ohio University Student Senate has strived to provide a forum to students so that their voices are heard. Student Senate provides student leaders the opportunity to interact both with each other and with administrators, faculty, community leaders and their constituents. Not only is the Student Senate an advocacy body for the students — a place for open communication and debate about the current issues on campus — but it is also a place to propose changes for the future of students at this university.

Student Government History at Ohio University

Ohio University’s tradition of student government began in 1940 as the Ohio University Student Council, a small group that met weekly to discuss the issues affecting the student body.  This organization continued for about 20 years until it was dissolved in 1960. The Student Cabinet was then formed in 1961, and lasted only 6 years.

In 1968 a new group called The Student Governing Board assumed the role of student government leadership on campus. Comprised of 13 members, the Student Governing Board served as an advisory panel to administrators about student opinion on campus issues. Though small, the board successfully served the student body for nearly seven years until the constitution was suspended to overhaul the system for better student representation.

In 1977, Student Senate was formed. The membership of Senate until 1981 was sparse; however, it still was seen as a huge improvement from the previous bodies. The newly formed Student Senate was larger and dealt with a broader range of issues than did previous student governments. The Student Senate, by incorporating new rules and procedures into itself, stands today at Ohio University as a medium between the administration and students. 

Structure

The Ohio University Student Senate has a parliamentary format, which is rare for a public university. Instead of three branches of government, the senate is a single body with different positions and committees that represent executive, legislative and judicial authority within the organization.

The Ohio University Student Senate is made up of three executive officers: the President, Vice-President and Treasurer. The Senate is comprised also comprised of a staff, and of 12 different commissions, which themselves are made up of elected senators and led by executively appointed commissioners.

The commissions meet once a week to discuss the issues of their constituencies. They then bring these issues to the weekly General Body meetings and endorse various resolutions in order to better deal with the students’ issues. Once a resolution is passed, it is sent to the appropriate members of the university and community. The senators who have endorsed resolutions through their sponsorships then follow the process to completion.

Another important component to the Student Senate setup is the body’s three standing committees.  First is the Committee on Conduct & Discipline (C&D), the internal senate disciplinary board. Second is the Committee on the Budget, which is in charge of appropriating money for various senate needs, such as programming or office supplies. Finally, there is the Committee on Rules & Procedures. This committee is tasked with discussing submitted rules changes to either the by-laws or constitution of Student Senate, and implementing them once approved by the body.

General Body Meetings

Student Senate meets every Wednesday evening in Walter 235 at 7:15 p.m. The meetings include what is called “Student-Speakout,” in which any student may come and voice concerns to the Senate. Feel free to come by and use that time to have your voice be heard!

Guest Speakers

During the weekly General Body meetings, various students, faculty, administrators and community leaders are invited to speak to the body about current events or issues. If you are interested in speaking at a General Body meeting, please stop by the senate office in Baker 305 or contact us on our website!