Join 2008-2009 Student Senate!

Applications are now available outside the Student Senate office, Baker 305, for appointed commissioner and executive staff positions for next school year. Act soon because completed applications are due back in Baker 305 by Monday June 2nd. Student Senate is a great way to give back to our university and get involved on campus. Check out the position descriptions below for more details.

Appointed Senator Positions
Academic Affairs Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Academic Affairs Commission shall serve as a representative of student opinion on academic matters to the faculty and administration; promote an educational environment that is conducive to the interests of students; address academic grievances; and review as well as recommend academic policies and procedures. The Commission shall send a representative to all Faculty Senate and Graduate Student Senate meetings. The Commission shall maintain relationships with the Admissions Office, Advising Council College Committees, Deans’ Council, Deans’ Offices, Curriculum Council, Office of the Provost, and all other offices or organizations dealing with academic matters.

Black Student Affairs Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Commission shall assist African American students who have grievances with the university; serve as a liaison with offices, departments, committees and organizations involved with the concerns of African American students; gather and publicize information of importance to African American students and African American organizations; work in collaboration with the City and County and State and Federal Affairs Commissions to inform students of relevant legislation pending or passed on the local, state and federal levels; and promote cultural awareness and increase multicultural awareness and increase multicultural programs available to the student population.

City and County Affairs Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Commission shall serve as a liaison between Senate and the City of Athens and Athens County, including all agencies and subdivisions thereof. The Commissioner, or designee, shall attend all Athens City Council meetings, maintain relationships with city and county elected officials, convey the opinion of Senate, and ensure the rights of students are protected and interests advanced.

International Student Affairs Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The commission shall assist international students who have grievances with the university; serve as a liaison with offices, departments, committees and organizations involved with the concerns of international students; gather and publicize information of importance to international students and international organizations; work in collaboration with the City and County and State and Federal Affairs Commissions to inform international students of relevant legislation pending or passed on the local, state and federal levels; and promote cultural awareness and increase multicultural programs available to the student population.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Affairs Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Commission shall create an awareness of LGBT issues on campus; gather and publicize information of importance to the students who fall under the commission’s jurisdiction; sponsor Pride Week; work in collaboration with the City and County and State and Federal Affairs Commissions to inform students of relevant legislation pending or passed at the local, state, and federal levels; and assist LGBT students who have grievances against the university.

Minority Student Affairs Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Commission shall represent students traditionally underserved by the university community, including but not limited to, student’s of various ethnicities and nationalities, non-traditional students, students with learning disabilities and students with physical disabilities. The Commission shall assist minority students who have grievances with the university; serve as a liaison with offices, departments, committees and organizations involved with the concerns of minority students and minority student organizations; inform students of relevant legislation ending or passed on the local, state and federal levels; and promote cultural awareness and increase multicultural programs available to the student population.

Off Campus Life Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The purpose of the Off-Campus Life Commission shall include, but is not limited to, helping students with landlord-tenant problems, working with the Center for Student Legal Services, and other issues that affect primarily students who live off campus. The Commission is also responsible for sponsoring Athens Beautification Day.

Residence Life Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Commission shall address the concerns and needs of students living in the residence halls, monitor policies and decisions that affect students living in residence halls, advocate policies that will improve the quality of life on each of the residential greens, and maintain relationships with student organizations and university offices that affect the life of students living in the residence halls.

State and Federal Affairs Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. State and Federal Affairs Commission shall coordinate and collaborate with student and community organizations voter registration and voter mobilization campaigns, work with various state and federal officials on legislation of interest to students, inform students or relevant legislation pending or passed on the state and federal levels, and work with organizations that are relevant to the goals and purpose of the commission. The Commission shall organize and conduct the “Voter Registration Week” in accordance with the Ohio Secretary of State’s registration deadline.

Student Activities Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. SAC shall be the subdivision of Senate responsible for accepting funding requests, evaluating funding requests, and allocating funds for programs and events from the Student General Fund to registered student organizations at Ohio University.

University Life Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Commission shall address issues that do not fall under the jurisdiction of other commissions, including, but not limited to, health services, Inter Collegiate Athletic issues, environmental concerns, alcohol-related issues, Greek community issues, technology issues, and other issues affecting the general university community. The Commission shall work with various university offices and community agencies and governments as necessary.

Women’s Affairs Commissioner
The Commissioner shall be responsible for advising the Executive Officers of Senate regarding the issues and concerns under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Commission shall educate both men and women in the community on all the issues which the commission considers to be relevant; provide information on violence against women; sponsor Take Back the Night; work in collaboration with Academic Affairs to address all curriculum related issues pertaining to women; assist individual women with specific university and community issues and concerns; work in collaboration with the State and Federal Affairs Commission to inform students of relevant legislation pending or passed on the state and federal levels; serve as a liaison with offices, departments, committees and organizations necessary in order to further the goals and purpose of the Commission.

Greek Life Senator
The Senator shall be an active member of a Greek chapter that is recognized by the Office of Student Activities. The Senator for Greek Life shall serve as a member of the University Life Commission and shall represent the Greek community by working with individual fraternities and sororities, Inter-Fraternity Council, Women’s Pan-Hellenic Association, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and other organizations as necessary.

Executive Staff Positions
Chief of Staff
The Chief of Staff shall function as an advisor to the Executive Officers, recommend students for the Executive Staff, serve as a liaison between the Executive Officers and the Executive Staff, serve as a liaison between the Senate and the Executive Staff when necessary, and carry out any duty delegated by the Executive Officers. All information discussed by the Executive Officers is confidential and shall not be discussed with anyone else without the authorization of the Executive Officers. The Chief of Staff may be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Director of Media Relations
The Director of Media Relations shall be responsible for publicizing Senate activities, decisions, actions, events and meetings to members of the media, including but not limited to, newspaper, radio, and television; and other duties as delegated by the Executive Officers.

Director of Public Relations
The Director of Public Relations shall be responsible for publicizing Senate activities, decisions, actions, events, and meetings to the general public and student body; and other duties as delegated by the Executive Officers.

Director of University Relations
The Director of University Relations shall issue a Report monthly on all university committees with student representatives for inclusion on the Proceedings of Senate; shall solicit applications and recommend students to the University Committee on Committees for membership; and other duties as delegated by the Executive Officers.

Director of Athletic Affairs
The Director of Athletic Affairs shall be a Student Athlete. The Director of Athletic Affairs shall advise the Executive Officers and Senators regarding issues and events occurring within the Student Athlete community and shall serve as a liaison between Student Senate and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

Parliamentarian
The Parliamentarian shall advise the President or President pro tempore on matters pertaining to the Constitution, the Rules & Procedures of Senate, and Robert’s Rules of Order; and other duties as delegated by the Executive Officers.

Director of the Internship Program
The Director of the Internship Program shall be a former intern. The Director shall be responsible for the internship program and the actions of the interns; and other duties as delegated by the Executive Officers.

Director of Information Technology
The Director of Information Technology shall be responsible for maintaining and updating the Student Senate website, maintaining the Student Senate office computers; and other duties as delegated by the Executive Officers.

Community Activity and Social Chair
The Community Activity and Social Chair shall organize Student Senate projects in the community and other duties as delegated by the Executive Officers; shall coordinate social functions through the Social Committee which will be open to all members of Senate.

Organizational Liaison
The Organizational Liaison shall facilitate relationships between student organizations and the Ohio University Student Senate.

Director of Research
The Director of Research shall be responsible for conducting research with measures including, but not limited to questionnaires, online polls, or student focus groups. The Director of Research or designee shall conduct all steps of the research project including, but not limited to, creating questionnaires, distributing questionnaires, leading focus groups, and evaluating research results. The topics of research shall be Senate initiatives or issues pertinent to the university community.