Officer Reports-
Dr. Campo: Ashland has more students engaged in leadership than most Ohio private schools. We have work to do to give students a common Ashland experience. We would like students to know words to the alma mater and create traditions with the essence of Ashland. The Board reviewed the issue involving the hiring of Dr. Campo’s son. The report is not yet finished, but we are facing the difficulties as a community. Dr. Campo was not involved in his son’s hiring process, but he believes he should have stopped it. Our DNP program has a 100% pass rate. We are opening a military veteran and families resource center. AU might add new sports, including stunting and bowling. AU is looking at creating a indoor sport facility not just for athletes and at building/buying dorms off campus. A provost search committee has been formed; AU is looking for someone to fill the position by July 1. There will be candidates on campus before summer break begins. Students are invited to the hiring demonstrations. HLC: AU is addressing some of its problem areas. The alignment with the Seminary has been difficult difficult. AU is working on assessments across the board. The faculty teaching too much but there is a lack of funds to hire more.
Vice President: In new business we will be discussing the social issue policy.
Academic Affairs: No report
Finance: Board: We do not have the enrollment we thought we would have: 2300, not 2800. The change in enrollment is not because we do not have the infrastructure. We are off about 5 mil in revenue, so AU is changing its budget. AU is adding a handful of new majors, which are all STEM focused. Sabrina voiced a concern that the liberal arts are being neglected and that the faculty are being worked too hard. The Board was very receptive of her comments. The Board does not decide which majors are added, Provost Chang chose the new group of majors to add. AU is turning the National Brethren Church office space into a space for veteran and their families. The renovations will fix the entrance to Lot I. Donors recently funded a VIP suite in Kates. Maintenence budget is $1 mil, in a doable world it would be $3 mil. Fixing the library roof and insulation is one of their major projects. AU may be acquiring the King Road apartments. Currently the old Buffalo Wild Wings is being used to store textbooks for correctional program. AU has had multiple businesses and restaurants show interest in the property, but no one can renovate the kitchen. The Clark 5th floor ceiling is leaking right by a light and stairwell. Clayton 2nd floor residents have all been charged $25 after racial and gender related vandalism was written in the bathroom. There should be announcements sent out to the student body about the new fresh market. The groceries come in bulk and can be paid for by using swipes online. The groceries are delivered to your door.
Student Affairs: The organization handbook is going out soon.
Judicial Affairs: Board: Enrollment numbers are down, but we predict better numbers for next term. The funding for our prison programs are better than ever. We are expanding to six more states, even to LA County, which has the largest prison system.
Residence Life: Check the housing lottery guide, which has been sent out via email. There is a program online to help you find a roommate. The newsletter done and will be sent out to halls by the end of week.
A.B.C.: Budgets are due Mar. 29.
Senior Class: No report.
Junior Class: No report.
Sophomore Class: No report.
Freshman Class: No report.
Advisors: Dr Pool: There is a $2.5 mil net miss on budget, but there is still a $4 mil surplus expected. Enrollment across northeast and midwest going down, while up in the south and southwest.
President: Naomi spoke at the Board of Directors of Alumni Association. OSGA: Naomi highly recommends that the Senate takes 10 students to go next year. 150 students were there from multiple states. Other universities provide student senators with compensation for room and board and scholarships.
Old Business: N/A
New Business: Handbook presentation: Involuntary withdrawal- Students may be withdrawn from the university to protect the health, welfare, and security for the student or other students. Student conduct issues go through a hearing with a written notice and chance for appeal. Jaywalking- Clairmont jaywalkers are fined up to $150 because it is against an Ashland County ordinance and there are legal fees involved. Jaywalking on King and College is less of an issue, but students should not jaywalk. Littering-The clause just defined what littering was. It did not say not to do it. Off-campus students- Everyone has to live on campus except under certain circumstances. Approval is given through residence life every year and permission can be revoked at any point. The clause says nothing concerning students with children. Social Issues Policy: Facts of policy- Eagles for Pride requested full charter status last year, but the process was put on hold. The Board looked at current policies concerning charters and noticed there was not enough clear authority given to board to govern clubs. Last January/February the social issues policy idea was brought to the Board, and it now has been written and given to students and faculty for discussion. Jacob N: The policy is vague and overbroad, but can be amended. Student senate was not mentioned in the policy. What qualifies as the Christian ethos? We should clarify our values. What is the difference between historical Brethren values and a mission statement? In 2017 we submitted a policy protecting free speech and eliminating restrictions. Does the VP and Board have final approval on charters? This policy is specific to funding. Jacob Brown: Does the use of the word, “renewal,” mean that any active club which has a charter can be reviewed at any time? The Board gives feedback and comment for charters, not approval. Nathan: This policy process has excluded the student body and seems like a direct response to EFP. Structure- co-students and VPSA, if such a controversial issue comes up, there should be a co-board in case a controversial issue comes up. The Christian ethos is unclear because there can be an argument made for the inclusion of group. Student opinions on the issue need to be known to the University. The student allocation budget comes from collected student fees and goes to clubs and departments as well. $335k is given to clubs, but around $500k coming from full student body, some going to facilities. There were provisions made during crises which have not been changed. It has been difficult to get this money back from facilities. Brennan- When the VPSA reviewing to Board do they approve the charter? When there is an issue, Dr. Pool will talk to the faculty and students involved. Nathan: How eager is the board to pass the policy, and how eager is the board open to students for feedback? There is no policy requiring feedback before passed. The board is reviewing the language of the policy, while the faculty and student senates are giving feedback to committee chair; the committee is meeting before the whole Board meets to discuss comments and feedback. Tyler: Can we ensure the next VPSA talks with different members of the community, students? Policy within student affairs office? Sabrina: “any reasonable purpose”- lay out expectations, historical Brethren values v Christian ethos? Nathan: Can the students talk to the board about this? There will be a full board meeting on May 3-4 which is when the Board will discuss this policy next. Brennan: “Institutional communications”- what does it mean? Does it extend to posters and messages to members? Send email to Tyler and Naomi ASAP with more questions/concerns.
General Concerns: If you would like to join the scholarship resolution, contact Nathan (nsims2). A pilot online textbook program includes books in fees for semester, but students are mid-semester. This defeats the purpose of paying the textbooks with loans.
Announcements: Juliet- In some states/universities, an underage student who drinks illegally and brings another drunk friend to hospital is not charged because they are saving a life. Nine Ashland University FSL members got to go to the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values summit. It was an amazing experience and you will probably be hearing about some of the other stuff later. This is Alpha Phi’s cardiac care week.Tomorrow DZ and TPA are having an event in the Student Center.
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