Miami University’s Associated Student Government (ASG) heard student concerns about Plan B, student organization funding for spring break and an inaccessible crosswalk on campus during its April 1 meeting.
Student Body President Will Brinley, Secretary of Safety and Wellness Jack Isphording and Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellness Stephen Large gave a Stress Less Week presentation.
Senator Jacob Van Riper presented a student concern about the availability of Plan B on campus. After entering debate, the motion did not reach the majority vote needed to commit the concern.
Van Riper wrote in the ASG concern form that Miami providing Plan B in a vending machine is highly controversial and offensive to students and organizations on campus, specifically religious groups.
“I wanted to speak on behalf of the many Catholic students who are very much opposed to this,” Van Riper said. “My voice and these students’ voices should have equal representation in the student body.”
During the process of assigning the concern to a committee, senators called for division, meaning there was not unanimous approval. Speaker of the Senate Shelby Alford opened the floor for debate.
Senator Charles Amara said committing the concern would be like opening a can of worms. He said it could escalate into deeper conversations about access to condoms and tampons.
Senator James Li echoed the sentiment. He said ASG should not commit the concern because of its controversial nature and strays from ASG’s intention to remain nonpartisan.
Senator Wade Warren said the concern should not be committed because access to Plan B is a minor part of students’ lives.
“There’s a difference between something being forced upon a student and something just being a slot in a vending machine,” Warren said.
Secretary of On-Campus Affairs and Student Body President-elect Danny Martin said the concern should be committed because it allows room to hear what the students are saying, though action may or may not occur.
The topic then moved to discussing Super Bowl champion A.J. Brown participating in a Q&A at 8 p.m., April 7 at the Armstrong Pavilion as a part of Stress Less Week.
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Large said he wanted to make sure events were of interest to all students. Tickets are free for students – 750 are available.
Brinley said Brown was the perfect choice because he has been open with his mental health struggles and just won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“One of the big goals [during my campaign] was to engage someone with mental health that would get people to talk about mental health who otherwise might not,” Brinley said.
Isphording said there are other events of Stress Less Week like dog therapy, aromatherapy and a musical.
Warren said there was a student concern about a crosswalk near Farmer School of Business and Dorsey Hall. Warren said the button to cross is too high on the pole and that students in wheelchairs may not be able to reach it. The concern was assigned to the Safety and Wellness Committee.
A student submitted a concern about access to ASG funding for spring trips for their organization Alternative Spring Break. ASG bylaws prevent funding trips during breaks.
Advisor to ASG Scott Walter said the bylaws were put in place because organizations were requesting money to go to popular spring break destinations like Daytona and Miami, Florida.
ASG’s next meeting is at 6 p.m. on April 8 in the Joslin Senate Chamber.
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