WCSA debriefs after dinner with board

The full senate of the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) convened this Monday, Feb. 16, for the first time since the Board of Trustees dinner on Feb. 12.

The dinner, open to members of the board and select WCSA senators, was well attended. “It went incredibly well,” according to junior Jerry Lherisson, president of WCSA. “Everyone loved it a lot.”

Tables for the dinner were set up in the Benes room and sat three to four board members and at least one WCSA representative. The senators were provided a list of talking points that covered a variety of topics – OWU’s smoking policy, the addition of online classes to the curriculum and the expansion of travel learning course programs – and many senators found that these issues were substantial enough to guide conversation throughout the three hour meal.

Also discussed at the dinner were proposed amendments to the OWU academic calendar. These changes target holiday duration, lengthening and shortening various breaks throughout the semester. Any changes would take effect in the 2016-2017 calendar year. On Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Hamilton-Williams Atrium, WCSA senators will be available to receive feedback about the changes and to answer any questions students might have.

At Monday’s full senate meeting, the budget committee presented the financial requests of four organizations, Sisters United, Model United Nations, the Ohio Marketing Group and the Student Led Arts Movement. All four organization’s budgets were unanimously approved.

Sophomore senator Jessica Choate, a sophomore and chair of the residential affairs committee, announced that plans for hydration stations had been finalized. The specialized water fountains are set to be installed in every residence hall over spring break. There are currently five hydration stations on campus.

Dean of Students Kimberlie Goldsberry announced that the sexual assault survey that has been circulating campus is “just shy of 20% participation, as of last Wednesday (Feb. 11).” She encouraged the senators to promote student involvement in the questionnaire.

Former WCSA senator Matt McCord, a junior, was appointed as a member of the Academic Policy Committee.

Billy George, a junior and candidate in last year’s election for the class of 2016 representative, was nominated and unanimously appointed as a WCSA member at large.