Student Senate passes resolution to bring back familiar face, Dylan DeMonte

Editor’s note: This story was updated to clarify that DeMonte was not a member of the senate body at the time of the accusation and resigned in February 2022 citing mental health reasons.

Despite a shorter agenda for the first meeting of the spring semester, the Ohio University Student Senate heard from Giselle Garcia from the Ohio Basic Needs Program, newly named interim Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Lyn Redington gave an introductory speech and a resolution to appoint Dylan DeMonte was passed. 

The Bobcats Helping Bobcats initiative aims to help any Ohio U community member that struggles with attaining the basic needs for day-to-day life at Ohio U. A big part of the program is Cats’ Cupboard, a food pantry open to all Ohio U faculty, staff and students as well as their families. Members of the pantry are able to shop twice a month, it currently serves around 1000 Ohio U community members and their families. Cat’s Cupboard is located in Baker University Center 514 and is run entirely by donations. 

“We offer fresh produce, during the growing seasons we work a lot with the Community Food Initiative. We also work with other community partners, whether that’s Bobcat alum or just folks in the community that want to donate and help out,” social work student, Jade Dutiel, said. 

Another program offered through Bobcats Helping Bobcats is the Emergency Microgrant Program. This program helps Ohio U students who have exhausted all other methods of payment for various bills or expenses that come their way.

“Any currently enrolled student who is enrolled at least half time is eligible to apply,” Giselle Garcia said. “What we do is, since the Emergency Microgrant Program has very limited funds, especially this semester, we do refer students to look into other resources we have on campus like the Cats’ Cupboard etc. We also added a new tab on our Bobcats Helping Bobcats webpage where you can find additional resources.” 

Senate also heard an introductory speech from interim Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Lyn Redington. Redington has worked in various roles in college education spanning across Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Arizona, Illinois, Idaho and now Ohio. Prior to coming to Ohio U, she was the vice president for student affairs and enrollment engagement at Idaho State University. 

“My job is to support you and your success. My guiding compass comes down to people, place and purpose. It is the people that I work for, that I work with, that is why I do what I do. Place is very important because this is a home away from home, this is where you are living and growing,” Redington said. “My purpose is then education, education changes lives. It changes the lives of the students here but it also changes the lives of that student’s family for at least two generations to come.” 

Senate then proceeded to new business where a resolution was proposed and passed without any debate. The resolution appointed Dylan DeMonte as academic affairs commissioner, a position he formerly held before resigning due to mental health in February 2022.

Senate Vice President Luvina Cooley was the primary sponsor of DeMonte's appointment. 

“We know there were a lot of things that happened with that leadership team overall with other members of Senate,” Cooley said about the appointment. “However, I do not feel that Dylan’s character is in any way questioned by the events that happened last year. He stepped aside in order to focus on his mental health and right now he’s definitely very qualified as far as his goals and initiatives.” 

DeMonte was previously named as one of the individuals who allegedly conspired to oust former Student Senate Treasurer Simar Kalkat, as reported by The New Political.

DeMonte will make his return to Ohio U’s Student Senate at their meeting next Wednesday, Feb. 1.