Student Senate hears from Student-Athlete Development and Inclusion, budgetary concerns arise

Ohio University’s Student Senate opened its first meeting of February with a presentation from Tia Jameson, assistant athletic director for student-athlete development and inclusion. 

Jameson began by explaining the primary purpose of her position: to be an advocate for student-athletes as well as aiding them in their complete development, beyond athletics. 

“I'm working with our student-athletes on what is your why, who are you, what is next, how do you find what really works for you?” she explained. “And then on top of that, it’s bigger than sports, sport is not forever. So what does it look like for you after you graduate? Because you are going to be someone's neighbor, parent, uncle, husband or wife.”

Apart from the development aspect of her position, Jameson also works to advocate for the diversity of all student-athletes. She is attempting to educate not just the students but the staff as well. 

“A lot of people hear diversity and immediately freeze up,” she stated. “You think automatically it's a black and white thing, it’s bigger than that. I'm looking at gender, disabilities, neurodiversity, taking all that and figuring out how we as Ohio U can help clubs make this experience for them,” continued Jameson. “I'm trying to stand in the gap to allow people to be more comfortable.”

Jameson then described how there is a large disconnect between student-athletes and the rest of the Ohio U community, with student-athletes largely unaware of events happening on campus. She asked Senate for suggestions on how to bridge the gap between the student-athletes and the rest of the campus. 

Kylie Christa, director of PR, recommended that Jameson promote the open position in the University Life Commission of Athletic Senator to student-athletes as a way to directly connect them with the campus, giving the athletes a representative voice in the Senate. 

“I think a lot of the gap begins in the residence halls,” Grace Jarchow, Executive Justice, said. “When you just get to campus, especially if you don't know anyone, the first people you meet are your neighbors and a lot of the student-athletes live together.” 

Jarchow suggested RAs could coordinate events that connected students in the non-athletic residence halls to the student-athlete’s halls. 

Following commission and committee reports, Treasurer Reagan Farmer reported that there have been some budgetary issues recently.

“We're transitioning as new members of the budget committee are going in,” Farmer explained. “So some things have gotten lost in the fold, which happens, not a big deal at all. That's why it's my job to be transparent with all of you and let you know what I spent on discretionary.” 

Farmer stated that a total of $474.91 was spent this past week from the discretionary fund. 

In other business: 

• The Senate passed a resolution appointing Cara Harmon as an Associate Justice on the Judicial Panel. 

• The Senate passed a resolution appointing Shayna Marks as an Associate Justice on the Judicial Panel. 

• The Senate passed a resolution appointing Alaina Nugent as an Associate Justice on the Judicial Panel.

• The Senate passed a resolution appointing Grace Jarchow as an Executive Justice on the Judicial Panel. 

• The Senate passed a resolution appointing Lucy Becker as Women’s Affairs Commissioner.

• The Senate passed a resolution appointing Abbey Constantine as a Women’s Affairs Senator. 

• Three budgetary resolutions were tabled until next week as their primary sponsor, Sen. Colton Gibbs-Dunlap, was absent. 

• The University Life Commission is working on organizing a spring semester involvement fair. 

• The LGBTQIA+ Affairs Commission is hosting a cookie frosting party on Feb. 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Baker Atrium. 

• The Environmental Affairs Commission is hosting a farmers market on April 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Howard Park.

• The Governmental Affairs Commission is hosting an event titled “Pizza Not Politics” on Mar. 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Baker 240. 

• The Governmental Affairs Commission will put forward a bill in the next meeting that expresses Senate’s support of Ohio House Bill 27.