Student Senate passes bill to make mental health days excused absences, hears from President Hugh Sherman

At its meeting Wednesday evening, Student Senate passed a bill that would incorporate excused mental health days into the current university attendance policy, allowing students three excused absences without formal medical documentation. 

The Academic Affairs Commission sent out a survey in February that received over 350 responses, the majority of which reflected that students feel their mental health impacts their academic performance. 

The commission determined that strict attendance policies prevent students from taking the necessary time to rest while struggling with their mental health, and proposed a policy allowing excused absences without explanation or required documentation.

Similar accommodations are currently offered through the Office of Student Accessibility Services. The bill argued that such a policy would allow students to focus on their mental well-being without being penalized for poor attendance. 

The bill stated that some students identified the benefit of reducing the stigma around seeking mental health support, along with improving the accessibility of necessary days off by avoiding the difficulty and cost of receiving a doctor’s note for a medically excused absence.

Pending university approval, the bill will be implemented for the 2023-24 academic year.

Additionally, Ohio U President Hugh Sherman presented to Senate and offered some insight to attendees on his time as president. 

Sherman began by reflecting on the past two years, commenting on the growth of student involvement in organizations since being affected by COVID-19. He also discussed the long-term effects of the pandemic, noting that since 2020, student engagement, academic performance and mental health had declined. 

However, Sherman described this year as a “dramatic improvement,” noting the benefit of investing in resources and promoting organizations that improve the student experience.

Sherman also discussed numerous investments made in an effort to improve the reputation of Ohio U. Sherman discussed the current plan to renovate and construct new residence halls on South Green, along with investing in new buildings and additional staff to expand the research capabilities of the schools of engineering and medicine.

 “I’m really excited about her!” Sherman said about incoming university president, Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez.

He emphasized the importance of transparency when it comes to being in a position of leadership, along with the ability to form relationships with people. Sherman assured the senate that Gonzalez exhibited these traits.

“She is a person who I think is going to be a very strong leader,”Sherman said. 

Sherman closed his statement to the senate by offering advice about leadership, primarily reinforcing the importance of forming and maintaining relationships with others.

“Conflict is normal,” Sherman said. “So, the building of relationships of trust and integrity so that you can get past the disagreements you have, you just have to do it.”

In other news, Senator Rees Morris was appointed to be the Senator of Accessibility and Accommodation as a part of the Minority Affairs Commission within senate.