Miami University’s Associated Student Government (ASG) started cabinet elections during its April 15 meeting. Student Body President-elect Danny Martin and Student Body Vice President-elect Kirsten Osteboe introduced themselves to senators and presented on future campaign goals. In addition to this, senators passed a standing-rules amendment.
During their presentation, Martin and Osteboe said their administration pillars are civic engagement, community building and transparency. They proposed a Philanthropy Fest, with the objective of organizations having space to promote their charities as a part of the community-building pillar.
Martin said he is always open to questions. Martin and Osteboe said they plan on holding “out-of-office hours” as an informal way to connect with students and hear concerns. The initiative is a part of their transparency pillar.
“I’m everywhere and always open for a yap,” Martin said.
Prior to nominations, Speaker of the Senate Shelby Alford instructed senators on how the executive session works. Alford said the session is typically used to talk about people, like cabinet nominees. Secretaries, non-ASG members and nominees are excluded from the session.
“It keeps things confidential, so we don’t come off like we’re slandering people,” Alford said.
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Senators approved Jack Isphording’s chief of staff nomination put forth by Martin and Osteboe. He is the current secretary of the Safety & Wellness Committee.
Isphording said during his term, he will focus on supporting cabinet members, providing assessments, like surveys to track progress, and improving general ASG relations. He said he will attend all senate meetings and work on forming relationships with senators.
“If I’m in ASG, I should be a resource for all those involved in ASG,” Isphording said.
ASG elected the current Secretary of the Treasury Hunter Rode to another term; the election was uncontested. He said he wants to work on restructuring ASG funding, because it is no longer running on a surplus of funding. Rode said he is still working on what the change would look like.
“Right now, [the current structure] is not very sustainable, budget-wise,” Rode said.
Senators elected Senator Susanne Morrissey as the next speaker of the senate. She ran uncontested. Morrissey said she wants to work on finding balance in ASG while still lifting up others.
Morrissey said she wants to explore a new judicial system for transparency and to restructure the steering committee. Morrissey said she will empower senators to pass such legislation by forming deep connections.
Senators elected Senator Katherine Allison as secretary of the Campus Affairs Committee. Senator Connor Wike and Meenal Khurana, a junior, also ran for the position.
Allison said she wants to increase ASG’s visibility by collaborating with the Communications & Media Relations Committee.
“One of the main issues ASG faces when it comes to the student body is that people don't know what we are, what we do and the opportunities that we provide students,” Allison said.
She also said she wants to hold renters’ rights workshops and a renters’ Mega Fair, because moving off campus is the next step for many underclassmen.
Senators amended the ASG standing rules. Pro Tempore Nicholas Barry proposed the amendment. Alternative senators, those filing in absences, will be excluded from executive sessions. Other changes include grammatical issues and adopting items that have already been passed.
Barry also shared a student concern about green space on Western campus, specifically the field near Hillcrest Hall. He said his concern is rooted in Miami placing solar panels there.
Barry said that though he approves the use of solar panels, he is concerned students in Western campus will have to travel a long distance to access green space if Cook Field is removed. He said he used that space frequently when he was an underclassman. Senators assigned the concern to the Infrastructure and Sustainability Committee.
“It made me cry a little bit inside,” Barry said. “I really did love that space, and the plan is literally to cover all of that space, plus Cook Field.”
Senators will continue with cabinet elections during ASG’s next meeting at 6 p.m. on April 22 in the Joslin Senate Chamber.
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